The Book… Overlooked and Overdue!

“How about you have another look for it… like under your bed maybe,” I suggest, struggling to sound upbeat. He slouches half in and half out of the doorway, like a rough hewn statue, with a gaze every bit as stony.

“I don’t have it. I never wanted it. I didn’t read it,” he mumbles sulkily, in self defensive.

Only slightly deterred, I try again. “That’s okay, Jake. Most missing books, are found lurking — forgotten— under people’s beds.” He looks askance.

“They’re just begging to return home to their little friends in the Library here.” I offer a tiny smile, in a feeble attempt to reassure him I’m not totally insane, yet. “Please, just take a look… if it’s not there, I’ll mark it as ‘Missing’. I promise I won’t bother you about it anymore. You’ll be free of automated Overdue Notices, spamming your school email. Wouldn’t that be nice?” A slight grimace tells me I’ve struck a chord on that note.

Then, with a casual shrug, he turns to leave. Class is about to start. Not that he ever cared about that before. I’ve seen him out of class, during most lessons. Loitering at the drink bubblers. Dawdling to the office, Sick Bay, toilets… or nowhere in particular. Anywhere, as long as he wasn’t in class… doing or dodging work. We share a disheartening history, as do all most of the school community. I have vivid recollections of him buzzing around classrooms, turning friends’ laptops off, mid-lesson. The Class Clown.

My reverie is broken by the shrill beeping of the Library security gates protesting, insistently. I stride smartly to apprehend the offender… this time, a clueless staff member, exiting with an unborrowed reference book tucked tightly under her arm. Situation solved, my mind drifts back to Jake.

I deliver my favourite Pep talk silently to myself, “Anything is possible!” Even the return of an unread, unappreciated library book borrowed two decades years ago! I try not to dwell on the alarming number of overdue loans from our school library. I feel like a toothless tiger, and every bit as effective scary.

Back in my day, the Librarian was a terrifying Terrier, likely to nip the heels of anyone foolhardy enough to drag their feet returning a book. It was unheard of to misplace or damage a book, let alone lose it! How times have changed, I bemoan.

It seems, I turn around twice and Monday sees me flipping the sign hanging on the Library door to ‘Open’. The typically quiet start to my day is interrupted by the nervous, clearing of a throat. “Excuse me, Miss. What do I do with this?”

Startled, I peer towards the student, awkwardly holding a dusty, bent paperback. “Jake! You found it!” Embarrassed and eager to escape, he silently nods. Helplessly, he turns to the automated Self Loan Station, towering over him. Swiftly, I move to accept the Prodigal Paperback… enthusiastically welcoming it home.

Curiosity prompts me to question, “Where was it, under your bed?” He sheepishly nods, as if I were a prophetess, having pinpointed its location with such precision. Reluctant to quit while I am ahead, I cajole, “Great job! Now, how about borrowing something you’re interested in. What do you like? Skating; footie; gaming; movies; music…”

I’m floored when he mumbles a reply. “Do you have anything on Entrepreneurs?” Definitely not the answer I was expecting.

“Are you doing an assignment on it, for school?” I quiz.

“Nah, but I wanna try to make some money, buy a car, get a job,” comes his astonishing response. This time — when the 8:45 am bell rings — Jake exits smartly, book clutched tightly.

A fortnight later, he shocks me by returning… book in hand. The dreaded Overdue Notice had struck again, but for once, it accurately hit its mark. “Excuse me Miss, how do I renew this book?” Jake politely asks. “I’m still using it.”

In latter months, we cross paths sporadically. I keep tabs on his entrepreneurial efforts, impressed with his success. At first, he collected discarded pens and pencils littering the canteen area and sold them to friends; then used the money to buy drinks to sell. In time, his hard work and persistence paid off. I was delighted to hear he’d purchased a cheap Clunker, to drive to his after-school job.

*

Days trickle into Weeks, flow into Terms, turn into Years… until yet another cohort of Year 12 students proudly celebrate their Graduation and March Out. How my heart swells with pride as Jake and his classmates exit the school grounds for the final time, as students. Ducking through the Arch of Honour formed by linked hands, they grin, wave, hug and ‘high-five’ friends and staff. Jake’s eye meets mine. “Miss… thanks.” Then he’s swept along, to a promising future.

*

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