Love Games

Seven: Maria

Sunday is spent in my flat, where I finally put my suitcase and a few things in the wardrobe. Emma is out all day. 

I only hear her in the evening, when I am already in my room and going to bed.

Monday morning, I work.

I cycle into town to the library, park my bike outside and lock it.

Security is my first priority.

Emanuela Library.

The warm summer weather is just right for me.

I go to the library wearing white shorts, a muslin shirt and sandals.

I clean and tidy the library before opening it.

I am alone in the library.

The owner of the library, Adriana, is out of town, going to book fairs and getting ideas for new books, and she sends me emails from time to time.

We've been working together for a while now and she's always involved me in the library's development.

Although there are many books that are now e-books, there is no substitute for the feeling of holding a paper book in your hand, turning the pages and smelling the newness.

Adriana trusts me, she has noticed over the years that I am obviously a good worker, and so do I.

But she is only good at bragging. 

Or so they say.

Now I open the library's main door.

From time to time the same customers come in.

Maria is one of them. An elderly lady who is an avid reader.

Slightly built, light brown hair, tanned complexion. That's her. Very well preserved for her age. But the lady must be over sixty, maybe seventy.

She comes every morning at eight o'clock on the dot.

She checks if there is anything new in the library, especially English literature. She loves it, having been an English teacher abroad herself. But she has retired and returned to Sicily. She says it is beautiful everywhere, but Sicily will always be in her heart.

Many leave, many return.

Many never come home.

"Good morning, Sarah. "She greets me as she enters the library.

" Good morning, Maria. " I reply, just behind the counter, putting things away, sorting the bills and other administrative things.

" Girl, what's new in your life? " She replies, coming closer to the counter.

" I'm no longer engaged. " I reply, a little reluctantly, but come to think of it, I never really loved that man. It was a crush that passed me by.

"Were you engaged? I thought you were single. "Maria replies sincerely.

Ouch. Obviously, I'm just not a marriage person, or how else should I interpret what Maria is thinking?

She notices my pained face.

"Oh darling, don't be embarrassed. There will be someone else if he doesn't want you, believe me, there is always someone better. You don't value yourself enough. You're too valuable, darling. Maria says leaning back on the counter.

" I have two sons. I'm sure you'd like the eldest. " She replies. 

How many times has she said that she could go out with him, that she will tell him to give her his number, that she wants us to go out, that we are made for each other.