How I Met His Mother

Finally, weeks after our last encounter, my lovely library patron returns. And thus The Library Saga continues...

It had been so long since the last time I saw him that I nearly thought that I wouldn't again. As if it was by chance I was working the few times he ventured to visit. I almost didn't realize it was him when he walked in. I wasn't expecting to see him, so my eyes drifted right over his face as he walked by the counter. Although, it didn't help that he wasn't alone this time...

That's right. My lovely library gentleman had another woman with him. When I did realize it was him that had passed by, I had to do a triple take. The second take to verify that it was in fact him. The third take to gasp in horror to see another woman following him around. Did our relationship mean nothing to him?! I mean, I know we had only known each other a short time, but come on! I thought we had a connection. He had complimented me on my efficiency, hadn't he? How could he possibly be with another woman after that comment? I had no idea. But I did know that I wanted to see this woman's face. And I wanted her to have a hideous scar covering half of it just to make myself feel better. Damn this new woman. Damn her to hell for stealing my future husband away from me.

As I watched them walk past, I noticed they were headed toward the dvd section. So, in order to investigate the situation properly, I gathered myself together and mustered up my best Poirot... or perhaps Miss Marple, I sort of fancied that role-play better. (I'd take meddling old spinster woman over the plump private detective with a sensitive stomach any day.) Nevertheless, discretion was key. I didn't want him to catch me in the act of spying on him as to further jeopardize our future marriage.

I ran to the back room and picked up a small stack of dvds needing shelved. Pretending to be importantly busy, I walked out into the stacks to put them in their rightful places. As not to make myself obvious, I positioned myself in the aisle next to the one where my lovely stood next to his... new friend. I began to absentmindedly put the dvds on the shelves as I strained my ears to hear their voices...

"Maybe they don't have it," he said as I heard him run his fingers along the dvd titles.

"Or maybe it's just not in. I'll go check at the front desk."

Shit. She was going to the front desk. Where I was supposed to be. Where I had just been sixty seconds ago. Ugh, if only I had stayed there... I had to get back. I had to see this woman.

Doing my best not to run from the stacks, I walked very determinedly towards the back office. As I entered and sat the unshelved dvds back in their place, I noticed there was a small line forming at the desk. The Woman was at the end. I recognized her by her coat. No longer feeling rushed, I walked up to the front desk and realized the this woman was... well... a woman. A middle-aged woman. Either my husband was a bit of a pervert and liked older women, or she could only be...

"Hello, I can see the next person here. How may I help you today?"

"Why yes, my son and I are looking for a dvd. Do you have the Shawhank Redemption?"

His mother! He brought his mother with him to the library! Huzzah! He wasn't seeing seeing an older woman, and more importantly, he wasn't seeing anyone at all. Oh, what a relief! Our marriage was still bright in the future; there was nothing to worry about. (I was going to ignore the fact that he brought his mother to the library. Maybe she was just visiting and they wanted to watch something... it wasn't like he still lived at home... I hoped... Anyway...)

His mother? Oh, God, I was meeting his mother. I felt slightly nervous as I searched the collection database, looking for the requested movie, but I kept a calm demeanor. The Shawshank Redemption, unfortunately, was currently unavailable (go figure), but my future mother-in-law was very sweet about it and said they'd just have to find another one.

So there it was. With every encounter our relationship just keeps growing. Now I've met his mother... maybe next I'll meet his father. Who knows? But I like where this is going...