Charlotte
The Save The Summerville Library Committee has grown again.
Mayor Harrington has joined, along with members of the local Scout Troop and the VFW.
My heart swells at how this community has stepped up to save our town’s little library.
It’s almost hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, this group was a ragtag band of only seven people, and now our numbers have swelled to almost twenty, not including the people who have signed the petition.
And this is just an ad hoc meeting conjured up the Friday night before our protest. What is our next Wednesday meeting going to be like?
I’m going to have to get more chairs.
“It sounds like we’re all set for the protest this Saturday,” I say a few minutes later.
My gaze darts from person to person after we’ve gone through introductions and recap of last week’s meeting.
“Let’s review the particulars, we’ve got all our permits approved.
We’ve blasted the event on social media.
Johnny and Georgie will be setting up food tents with proceeds going to the Douglass County Public Library System.
Multiple stores in town will be donating profits from Saturday as well.
Mayor Harrington is working with law enforcement to set up cones. Anything else?”
I’m met with smiles and nods, but no one has items to bring up.
I continue, “So, given that we’re all set, I figured today would be a good time for us to practice our speeches for the Open Comment meeting.
” I wait to see if anyone moans or shows displeasure, but again, I’m met with expressions of agreement.
“I figured we could break off into small groups and then get feedback from our peers. How many of you have written speeches?” I raise my hand to demonstrate.
“Even if it’s just a rough draft or some talking points? ”
About half the committee members raise their hands.
“Ok!” I’m so happy about the amount of support.
“If you haven’t written anything, then maybe today can be used to get inspiration and jumpstart that creativity.
There’s a table set up over there with paper and pens.
” I point to the aforementioned table, and a couple of people start to make their way there.
We break further into small groups. My group includes Aidan, Lisa G., and a senior Scout named Charlie and their mom, Cheryl.
“They’re one of my students,” Aidan murmurs as we settled in a circle. “Very smart.”
Turning to my little group, I begin, “Alright, so, who wants to go first?” I’m met with blank stares, uncomfortable shifting, and silence.
Aidan shifts forward in his chair. “I’ll go.” He pulls out his phone and clears his throat. “Hold on, let me just find my speech.”
“Take your time,” I say. In the empty space, I take a sip from the thermos of tea he handed me before the meeting started.
My insides warm from the spicy cinnamon and the soothing vanilla.
My gaze follows his hands as he scrolls through his phone, and my focus zeros in on his muscles and tendons working.
I swallow and try not to think those hands on my body, and I fail.
This was Aidan’s last week of school, and he’s been spending every waking moment that he’s not in school at the bookstore.
He had half days this week and developed a routine for each day.
He would get out at twelve, pick up his dog, Lloyd, and then come over by one.
He would juggle helping me in the bookstore and grading final papers, while sneaking stolen kisses in quiet moments.
After the store closed, we relocated to my apartment above, where he’s made me dinner every night this week.
His dinners have been simple but delicious: spaghetti and meatballs with a side salad, fish tacos with a mango salsa, roasted chicken with broccoli and potatoes.
I didn’t realize just how sexy it was to have someone cook for me.
After the dishes have been cleared and I’m happily heavy from his food, we’ve cuddled on the couch and made out until our lips were swollen. But it hasn’t gone further than that.
I want to take that next step with him. We’re together now in an actual relationship, and we’ve talked about everything, except sex, and I’m not sure how to bring it up.
Usually with guys I’ve dated, they’ve wanted to fuck me right off the get go, and that’s all they’ve wanted.
I’ve had to deflect them because I wanted things to go slow, wanting more than just sex.
It’s frustrating and refreshing all at the same time. Nicole told me I should just grow a pair and proposition him. Maybe tonight I’ll gather the courage. It’s not a school night, and we can sleep in before the protest tomorrow.
“Ah, here’s my speech” Aidan says, clearing his throat again and bringing me out of my daydream. I push down my feelings of lust to focus on the task.
“First off, I’ll greet the County Council and the citizens, no reason for me to go over that now.
” He reads aloud from his phone. “‘My name is Aidan Talbot. I’m an English teacher at Summerville High School, and I’ve been teaching in Douglass County Public Schools for the past nine years.
Books are a vital part of my daily life and a central part of the curriculum for every English course.
Books introduce new worlds, new ideas, and new perspectives to the reader. ’”
He goes on to highlight the decreasing literacy rates, and he touches upon his own frustrations with high school students reading below grade level.
“‘One of the major reasons for the decline in literacy is the lack of easy access to literature and other reading materials. When students can practice their reading, they improve reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.’” He takes in a breath.
“‘However, not everyone can afford to purchase books, and while school libraries do provide books, their selections are limited. With book bans, diverse texts are hard to acquire.’”
Charlie squirms in their seat like they want to say something, and I’m about to say something, but then Aidan’s voice shifts. He glances up and adjusts his glasses. “Yes Charlie?”
“Yes, uh, I, um, is it ok if I make a s-s-suggestion?”
A warm smile spreads on his face. “Of course, that’s why we’re here. To share our opinions.”
They flash a close-lipped grin and continue, “I think you should mention the format of books. I like to listen to audiobooks because I can do other things, and I can also enjoy them any time. We don’t have any audiobooks at our school library.”
“Great suggestion!” Aidan replies in an animated voice. “I’ll include something about that. That’s also a challenge for low vision students, too. Thank you for bringing that up, Charlie.”
They bloom under his praise. Their shy, reserved face widens in a joyous grin, and they lift their shoulders, while their mom gives them a reassuring smile.
Aidan continues with his speech, discussing the importance of diverse texts and how impressionable they can be on young minds.
As he talks, my mind wanders to his interaction with Charlie and how I’ve seen him treat others.
Aidan always makes it known my thoughts and my opinions matter.
He will push back when my thoughts might be harmful or uncomfortable to others, but he hears me out first.
It’s so much like my dad. Even down to their tone of voice and their expressions.
An overwhelming feeling of grief washes over me. The kind that still bubbles up to the surface now that it’s been almost six years since I lost him. My eyes water, and I swallow hard.
“‘One of the greatest joys of my life is seeing a child fall in love with reading. But if we cannot fund our libraries, the frequency of kids falling in love with reading will decrease. As an educator, I request that the council reject the proposed bill and keep the Summerville Public Library open. It is vital to our children and our children’s futures that this institution of learning and knowledge remain open for all to enjoy.’”
He glances around us after he finishes. “Well?” he asks. “Any feedback?”
Lisa G nods. “It’s good, I like it. I agree with Charlie about the audiobooks. They’re good for us old folks who have trouble seeing.”
“Charlotte, any thoughts?” Aidan addresses me.
“It was great,” I reply, blinking. “Really good job.” Plastering on a smile to hide my grief, I say with energy, “Alright, who’s next?”
Charlie volunteers and begins with a passionate plea about how the library is their happy place and a refuge for not only themself, but for numerous friends. They tell a story about how one of the librarians sat down and helped them with a complicated math problem after school.
“I like it a lot,” Aidan says after they finish.
“You’re really driving the argument of pathos through emphasizing how the library will affect you and so many other children if it closes.
But I think you can highlight a little bit more logos in your speech by appealing to the more logical side.
There’s plenty of research on the impact libraries have on children and how that improves academic and lifelong achievement.
Maybe add in a statistic or two to help drive that point. Great job!”
Charlie beams and says, “Thank you, Mr. Talbot.” They start writing things down in their notebook. “Do you think the speech was too long?”
“You’re good,” I answer. “I was watching the clock, and you were under three minutes.”
Lisa G. goes next, followed by me. All too quickly, I’m adjourning the meeting and Aidan is walking me home.
“Are you ok?” he asks once we’re standing by my apartment entrance and out of view and earshot. “You just looked a little sad when I was talking. I-I would’ve asked in the moment, but I didn’t think it was the right time.”
“Yeah,” I reply. “I was just thinking of my dad.”
Aidan interlaces his fingers with mine and his thumb grazes across my knuckle. “You miss him.”
I nod. “I do and seeing you interact with Charlie just reminded me so much of him.” I sigh and the tears well up. “You have a lot in common with him, besides being an English teacher. I think you would’ve liked him.”
He takes a breath of air. “From everything you’ve told me, your dad was a great guy, and I’m honored to have the comparison,” he murmurs, and brings his other hand up to brush a stray lock of hair from my face. “I like you a lot, too.”
“Yes, that’s already been established.” I take my free hand and snake it behind his neck, pulling him into a kiss. His lips are soft but yearning against mine. He deepens the pressure and my mouth parts open for him. His tongue sweeps across my teeth, and I stifle a gasp.
My heart pounds in my chest, rattling in my ribcage. I want more, far more than this dizzying kiss. I want all of him.
I dig my fingers into his back, needing him closer to me. Panting, I break off the kiss and say in a hoarse whisper, “I want you. I want all of you. I need you.”
Aidan leans back on his heels and swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I know you’re implying that we should have sex, but I would like explicit consent before we move further.” He grits his teeth. “It just t0 calm my anxiety,” he adds. “Do you want to have sex with me?”
I let out a chuckle, and my fingers tangle in his hair, feeling the silky-smooth texture. “Yes, I do.”
“Ok,” he responds in a husky voice. “Shall we?”