Architect of paradise (PART I: Out of the Ruins)

1. The day of lemon pie

      The clock on the wall is showing twelve. There is a deadly silence in the big room but it is the perfect moment of the day. Right now, I am reading a book about history while I am sitting at the front desk of the library. 

    I am working as a librarian, for the last three weeks, at least. For some reason, I really like the historical books. They are like real fairytales. There is a lot of facts and emotion in the texts. Range, intrigue, heroism and of course political scandals are some of the interesting parts. For some people, this is boring, but not for me. I remember that I was really interesting in history, from my days at school.I really enjoy reading historical books in this quiet place. 

    I wasn't expecting to be here. I live in this small town in the northwest of Virginia, for the last three weeks. I travelled about three to five hours from Washington to arrive in the small town, called Green Hill. It is in the woods and surrounded with mountains, away from civilization. It has about fifty hundreds civilians, who survive from the woods, the tourism and fields of corn that are after the big green hill. In this small town, there are some basic shops, a school, a church, the city mall, a cafeteria, a small clinic and to my surprise, a library.

    My arrival here was something that I didn't plan. When I said to my best friend that I wanted a peaceful place, away from everything, she suggested me to come here, to her paternal house to live. Her parents died a long time ago and she never came back to this small town. The house was at ruins with no use. I appreciated her suggestion and I accepted it. I really wanted to stay alone, away from everything.

    The major and the locals has welcomed me warmly, maybe too warmly. I suppose the population was decreasing with the years, when the younger generation abandons their home town to take chances to the big cities. They offered to fix some damages of the house, while the major suggested for me to work at the library.

    It is not really hard. I just need to take care of the books from the dust and moisture, to archive them to the right shelves and to service those who come to enrich their knowledge. Of course, this is happening rarely. The only visitor of the library is a teenage boy called Justin Andrews.

     He is a shy and introverted boy with a thin body, short curly brown hair and brown eyes. He comes after school, sits to a corner and reads books about literature with focus until the closure time of the library. He is so focused that, it's like that nobody is here. That way, I can have my peaceful place to live and work. It's a paradise. Well, today is an exception.

   The bell connected to the door rings, warning me about the arrival of somebody. It's the major, Mr. Jackson. He is a man around sixties with grey short hair and a sparse grey beard. He is a kind and warm person.

-"Good day, Miss Mars."He says with a smile.

-"Good day to you, too, Mr. Jackson. What brings you here at this hour?"

-"I brought you the list with the new books for the library. At the same time, I bring you an invitation from my wife, who wants to meet you and know you better." He answers.

"Well, she just wants to gossip." I think, but I don't say it aloud. I just smile.

-"My dear, you are here and you have no friends." The major persists.

I knew that I couldn't escape. So I accepted the invitation, so I could be peaceful again.

-"Then, I'll come tonight." I said. The man smiles warmly and leaves.

    It is now two o'clock and like always, Justin just came. He is sitting in his usual corner studying and reading his favourite books about literature. It is quiet and I really like it that way. I continue to read my historical book.