Library Hours- a series of discriptions (2)

There is this brother and sister, at least I think he's her brother. I can't really guess at his age, as his face bears the sign of his being handicapped, though he's somewhere in his teens. She brings him here, to pick out movies for a bit, but mostly to read. She's older than he is, and responsible for him. She finds young adult books that he can decipher, and speaks to him in a soft and encouraging tone. He listens to her every word. Never does she make him wait around while sitting at a computer, nor does she leave him alone.
I've seen her get frustrated with him, it's apparent on her face. Instructions not heeded, and her tone becomes exasperated. I can only imagine why. I hear her say, "When mom and dad get back this weekend...", "When our parents get home...", "I know, mom and dad have been gone a while, but they'll be back.." It seems she's raising him on her own. Though, I can only see half of the story. And perhaps I'm even making one up. I just wonder how she feels when she's home.
There is a mother and son, the son with special needs. He can read the juvenile chapter books, and loves the series 'Hotel for Dogs'. He gets excited about little things, and corrects her often on which movies he's seen. The mom is stylish and intelligent, with only one thing linking her to her husband: an eyebrow piercing. The father, I don't see as often. He looks to be the biker type, yet has the softest of voices and a ready laugh. The patience they each have for their son, the way they know what he wants. I think to ask if they had any other children, and then decide not to. I can imagine at some point in their lives they said, "One is enough..." The road it took to get here with him, the hours spent teaching... and who knows what. Was it from birth or after? Was it a shock? I have the utmost respect for them, I can't even comprehend. The love must be bigger, stronger, with one so dependent. They must be thankful for smaller things... and remind themselves, this must have been meant to be.

Library Hours- a series

Working amongst the shelves, you see things. Things that the employees at the desk don't see. Walking in the rows, you hear words spoken by anguished and joyous souls. Pieces of lives whispered in your ear, ears that are now privileged and haunted by what they know. For this is the life I lead, in contact every day with people I've never before seen, or that I see several times a week. We do have regulars, we also have strangers. And when I say strangers, bear in mind that not only are they hitherto unseen and unknown, but also unheard of. They're new, in every sense of the word. Bringing a new story, a new light or lack thereof, into the room. The room at the library. This is where I work.

It's summer, and in the summer we receive several teenagers here. Some I only see in the summer, some come at other times, and still others are entirely new. It's interesting to see and hear the ways and speech of these young people. I myself am only 19, but I feel old, quite old; therefor, anyone younger than myself by more than 6 months seems, in my eyes, a fresh life, a child – empty of experience and full of wonder. Some are more wonderful than others, but all have a story to tell.

Ashley and Trevon, best friends forever. Ashley seems to have more trouble than Trevon, though she doesn't bear the scars Trevon silently does. I feel uncomfortable and inept around Ashley; she has that affect on you, you know, the one where you feel she is royalty and you aren't worthy to look at her. Trevon, on the other hand, is quiet and smiles back. If I were to guess at their ages, I'd say they were around 17-18. If they were to guess at mine, they'd say I was 12. Because Ashley has it all together: she dresses the right way, talks the right way, walks the right way.. all she needs to do to be perfect is lose weight; that's what she tells herself. Trevon is a big lady; about 5'11 and heavy built. She listens to Ashley complain about her weight every day; one can only wonder what is going on in her head, “If she's overweight.. then I'm a whale.” They sit in the corners when Ashley has her way, far from all eyes but mine, and away from every one else's ears. If Trevon is fed up, or arrives first, she snags a computer, and Ashley pouts under the desk, messing with Trevon's feet. She's been seen laying on the floor, torso under the desk, just watching people stare at her. I've never quite understood this... If you want attention, shouldn't you do something good to get it?

There is a young man that comes in perhaps once a month during the summer, maybe more. I think his name is Trevor, though I can't be sure. He used to work here, in my position, so he doesn't talk to me. Observing him, I have to say... he's odd. Almost the essence of 'geek'. Glasses indoors, tie dye shirts, a shaggy uneven beard, long disheveled hair... and he speaks of the X-men as though they are gods. It appears that he and Ashley used to have a 'thing', whatever that means. She just hides from him now. To be honest, I don't why he is the one who seems to be confident. I suppose he's just more comfortable with himself. Kudos; more like him. He has a sister the same way; content. I don't know her name, but that's ok, she probably doesn't know mine. Her hair is purple and quite short, but she seems as if she came from an Amish community, she's so nice and quiet. Just goes to show: you can't judge a book by it's cover.