Black Balloon

Chapter 17

After leaving the restaurant, I decided to walk down Main Street and scope out the town; It wasn't as if I had anything better to do. Wide sidewalks flanked the main road, which was busy with pedestrian traffic: People shopping, heading to work, and a few aimless wanderers such as myself. The Harriet river meandered through town zig-zagging back and forth under the road several times as it went. Just down from Frank's was the Shiloh General Store and next to this the Flatbush Pub. The latter had an outdoor covered patio standing on beams, overlooking the river. This morning it was devoid of patrons. Kitty-corner to the pub, across the street, was the library; a board and batten building with a green metal roof. The libraries I had been to in my life were all big two-or three-story structures, elaborate architecture with giant glass windows and artsy sculptures out front. A far cry, this was a humble establishment with only a "Shiloh Public Library" sign hanging from the porch indicating its function. I decided to pop in and check it out.

I was greeted by a young girl with glasses whose name tag read "Emily." She looked up from her book:

"Hi."

"Hello."

There were twenty or so shelves of books running parallel in the middle of the room and a handful more along its walls. Collectively, they seemed to make up the entirety of the Shiloh Public Library. Emily stood behind the desk leaning on the counter and flipping through a novel.

"Can I help you find anything?" she asked.

"Maybe. Do you have any books on Montana?"

"Well, we might. Let's see."

She stepped out from behind the counter and walked over towards a tall filing cabinet containing scores of tiny drawers.

"Do you want stories set in Montana or info about the state, or what exactly?"

"Non-fiction, like an encyclopedia entry or what have you."

"We have last year's Britannica. It's over there in Reference. We've got atlases too. You looking for stuff about other states as well, or just Montana specifically?"

"Montana, specifically. Whitefish, actually. A book about all fifty states would be fine as long as there is a Montana section with good info."

At this she gave me an odd glance. I tried to remember when Alaska and Hawaii had been admitted, but had no clue. It was before now, right? I couldn't remember. Emily rifled through the drawers and pulled out a few cards.

"Are you moving?" she asked.

"No, just thinking about taking a trip in the Spring."

"I've heard it's beautiful out there."

"I've heard that too."

I followed her to the back of the room where she retrieved an atlas, a book called America in Pictures, and another called The States and their Capitals. None of what she had gathered was Montana-specific but it was better than nothing.

"This is about as good as I can do, but it should get you started," she said. "Will you be checking them out?"

"No," I told her. "I don't have a library card."

"It's easy enough to get one if you'd like."

"Ok. I'll think about it."

"Alright. Until you decide, our reading tables are in the back."