The Late Book

Ages 15-18

Meira brings back the library book six weeks late, and she carries it in with the cover turned in.

It is a thin one, a novel, with a green spine. She had meant to bring it back before the holiday. Then there was a test, and then another. It has been on her desk since September, with a bus ticket in it for a bookmark.

The library is warm, and smells of paper. The librarian is at the desk, stamping a stack of cards. Meira stands in front of it with the book in both hands. She waits until the woman looks up.

She puts the book on the counter, and slides it across.

The librarian turns it over, and opens it. She takes out the ticket and looks at it, and puts it to one side. She opens the cover, and turns the pages to the back, to the pocket.

"Six weeks," she says.

Meira nods. She has the money out already, in her fist. She puts it down on the counter, a little pile, and takes her hand away.

The librarian counts it. She takes a stamp from the desk, and presses it on the card. She slides the book onto the cart behind her.

Meira stands there a moment, with her hand empty. Then she turns, and goes back out through the swinging door.