A damn good kiss
When I find myself somewhere I probably should not be, I ask myself what my great-grandfather would do. MK Harker, from the records I shared last time, was a decisive and talented individual. He was also mentally disturbed from his time in the war and hated fire and everything to do with it, including firemen. I do not often refer to him when it comes time to do the annual fire inspection of the library. However, the man did innovate.
As I stood outside the trailer park looking at the rows of disposable homes kitted out with flower gardens and fake lawn animals, I thought that MK would probably just go up and ask for the car repair manuals to get the bookmobile fixed. The ex-girlfriend of Children’s cousin Carol did not need them, and he could fix the car. Candi would understand. I told the children's librarian so.
She shook her head, the red wires she called hair bouncing around in the summer heat. "We waited for a few days, sir. Candi might destroy them. She's a liar and a one of the worse people I've ever met."
"What did your cousin see in her?" I said.
Childrens said, "He saw himself in her." Her face turned bright red. "I shouldn't have said that."
"Maybe I should do the talking?"
"Good idea. You distract her while I sneak around the back. Just don't be lured in by her ways."
"What ways are those?" I asked, but she was already gone around the back of the second trailer on the right, tying her hair back in a ponytail.
I sighed and made my way to the trailer. Up close it was a little run down with some rust spots here and there. A little company of lawn gnomes sat out front, each holding a different firearm. The one with the shotgun was shirtless and squinting as if to say "you might be bigger, but I'm meaner." At the foot of the door was a welcome mat turned around, which I liked. Every time you stepped out the world welcomed you. I knocked.
A voice came from inside, high and shrill, "Who is it?"
"ST Harker, ma'am. From the library."
"What?"
I repeated myself wondering what the hell I was going to say next.
The door opened with a creak and a blast of cold bought air from a ticking window unit washed over me. The woman standing there was at least six foot and wearing a bikini top and cut off shorts. Standard Southern summer lounge wear. "Library?" she said, her voice pleasant at a normal volume. The room beyond her was dark.
"Yes, ma'am. Just stopping by to, um, well…"
"Go on."
From inside the trailer, I could hear a scraping and saw a shaft of light fall across the floor as curtains somewhere inside began to part. If Candi turned around, things might get a little strange for us.
I said, "Well, the library had a notice for some overdue books at this address. I was wondering if maybe you had them?"
"Oh, well, I don't think I have any books from the library," she said.
"Are you Candi?"
"I am. How long ago were they checked out?"
"A few years."
Candi frowned. "I mean, maybe. I did like to read a while, but I've only been here for a minute."
Around the back of the trailer came a crashing sound. I wondered what the hell Childrens was up to.
Candi turned and brought back the shrill with, "Quiet, you damn dog." Back to me. "Come on in, let's look around."
"I uh… I have a fear of dogs. Let's look out in your car."
"In my car?"
"Yeah. Most folks, the books slide under the seat, and they just don't remember."
Candi nodded and stepped toward me. I had no idea what made her believe me other than some divine authority over books.
"What's the book?" she said, fishing her keys from her pocket.
"I'm not sure. I forgot the paper back at the library, but there should be a stamp on the title page with our name and a call number on the spine."
"Okay," Candi said. She pushed past me, her hand touching my butt. "Let's look in the back seat first."
This had taken a turn, but there was not much I could do. She pushed the button on her fob, and a red Honda Civic chirped back at us. She opened the back door and said, "You first."
"I'll check the other side," I said and tried not to be too awkward as I circled the car.
After about five minutes of leaning over in the back seat, it was clear nothing was under the seats but old french fries and a sticky puddle I did not want to investigate. I looked up to see Childrens peeking out from the side of the trailer. She smiled and waved two large books at me.
"Well, I don't think it's here," I said. "Maybe if you do find it, bring it to the library. It's no worry and I'll take the fine-"
Candi grabbed me by the front of the shirt and pulled me in for a kiss. A damn good kiss. A damn good kiss that wiped my mind of whatever I had been doing.
"Never had a librarian in my back seat before," Candi said.
"I uh um well…" I said.
Candi leaned in again, but I pulled back. Over her shoulder I could see Childrens standing with the books in one hand and dog's leash in the other, both on her hips. Her head shook slowly. I noticed she had a cut on her forehead that was bleeding down to her eye. That shook me out of whatever was happening.
"I'm sorry. I have to go," I said.
Candi stuck out her bottom lip and tried to pull me close again. "No, you don't."
"Sorry," I said and exited the vehicle.
"Well, you know where to find me," she said grinning.
"If you find the book, thanks," I said looking back where Childrens had been. She had gone around the trailer. I made it to the car and sat in the air conditioning, waiting for my partner in crime.
When she got in, she introduced me to Tom the dog while throwing the car repair books in the back seat. "You have lipstick on," she said giggling.