Page 6 of Check You Out

I blink. “What do we do on the Events Committee?”

He ponders the question for a few seconds. My gaze flits over to Aidan and Xander. The former is sitting straight in his seat, watching me with a careful gaze, but he looks away once we make eye contact. The latter yawns.

Lisa W. rolls her eyes and speaks before Johnny gets a chance to. “I think we should talk about what we’re going to do to try to keep the library open,” she mocks.

My mouth presses a into smile. “Exactly. We’re all going to speak at the Public Comment meeting on June 23, right?”

Heads bob.

Xander clears his throat. “Would it help if we got more people to speak?”

“Instead of just us?” I inquire. “Yeah, that is a good idea. Problem is, how can we get more people to speak up? Not everyone can go to the meeting.”

Lisa G. leans over her wife’s lap. “What if we did a petition? They’re all the rage online.”

“Like Change.org?” I ask. My pen flies on my notepad.

Nicole shifts in her seat. “We can make flyers with a QR code to connect to the petition. We’ll set up those flyers in all the local businesses. The bookstore, the pizzeria, Triple C, etc. We’ll talk to people and convince them to lend their support.” She grins. “I’m sure I could get a dozen people to sign in tomorrow’s morning rush.”

Lisa G. volunteers, “I can draw the designs.”

“Wonderful!” I take even more notes. If I keep this up, my hand is going to cramp. “Weekends are always busy. We can canvass people too. It doesn’t matter where they’re from. Out of towners use the library too. Xander, why are you raising your hand?”

“Because Aidan’s a teacher,” he says with a grin. “What’s canvassing?”

Lisa W. answers before me, “It’s when we go out into the community and talk to people. We could either walk around downtown when it’s busy, or we could go door to door.”

Aidan shrinks in his chair.

Interesting. He still hasn’t said anything during the meeting. Why would he be nervous about canvassing?

“So, Aidan, you are a teacher,” Johnny remarks, interrupting my thoughts. “What do you teach?”

Aidan replies in a soft voice, “I teach English at Summerville High School.”

I write something on my notepad. “Oh, could you help us with educational outreach? Maybe see if any of the teachers or parents would be willing to speak.”

“Or a student,” Nicole suggests. “That might be pretty impactful.”

Pointing my pen at her, I say, “Yes, all three would be great. Teachers, parents, and students all use the library. I certainly spent nearly free afternoon here.”

Nicole chuckles. “I would not have passed US history if it wasn’t for Mrs. Henderson.”

Aidan opens his mouth. “Uh possibly. There are rules regarding outreach. I have to ask my team lead.”

I nod. “That would be great.” I study the notepad in front of me. “Do you think you could help me with writing the actual petition too?”

“Yes.”

“Excellent.” I twirl the pen in my hand. “You free tomorrow? We should get that petition done and out ASAP.” I’m met with nods and words of agreement.

He swallows. “School has half day tomorrow. I can do any time after twelve.” He adds quickly, “It’s a professional work day.”

“A what?” Johnny inquires with a scrunched nose. “What the hell is a professional work day?”

Aidan’s mouth opens but no sound comes out for a second.

I speak up before too much time has passed, “They close schools early for teachers to catch up on all the grading and lesson planning they have to do.” I tap my pen against the notepad. “How about one, at Triple C?”