The Swear Jar (2 page)

Chapter Two

The Pin Oak Grove Public Library
was a peaceful, quiet building tucked on the edge of a suburban public park. 
The tan brick building was rectangular and horseshoe-shaped.  A concrete path
led from the parking lot up to the recessed central entrance.  The local
gardening group’s pride and joy were on both sides of the path, nestled by the
library’s exterior walls.  The gardens included a variety of plants, bushes and
flowers.  Butterflies fluttered and bees buzzed throughout the day.

The library’s entryway had two sets
of glass doors.  The inner doors opened directly onto the Circulation Desk.  On
the wall behind the Circulation Desk was a large mural painted by a local
artist depicting Pin Oak Grove’s agricultural history.  The mural was breathtaking. 
Visitors marveled over the artist’s heartwarming touches, such as a mischievous
squirrel peeking out from the porch of a farm house.  The wooden Circulation
Desk spanned the length of the mural and held several computers.

The Reference area was on the left
and the Youth Services area was on the right.  These areas extended from the Circulation
Desk to the front of the building, making the arms of the horseshoe.  Along the
wall behind the Circulation Desk were the Circulation Office and the Director’s
office.  These two offices shared a wall and Duncan occasionally heard the
staff socializing.

Monday morning, Duncan was earlier
than usual.  He liked the peace and quiet.  It gave him time to think and plan
his day.  Today, he was thinking about Meara.  He hadn’t stopped thinking about
her all weekend.  The two Circulation Assistants, Tom and Lucy, arrived a few
minutes later.  They were both in their late sixties, but they had no
intentions of retiring.  Their spouses were only too happy to get them out of
the house.  Remembering Meara’s opinion on librarians and retirement, Duncan
smirked.  Tom and Lucy waved, but their smiles faltered.

“Duncan, why are you wearing a suit
and tie?” asked Tom, tilting his salt and pepper head.  “Is the Board coming
today?”

“Who died?” asked Lucy, tucking her
snow white hair behind her ears.  “Anyone we know?”

Duncan replied, “Yes, I’m wearing a
suit.  No, the Board isn’t coming.  No, no one died.”

Lucy said, “You look nice.  Are you
feeling okay?”

“I’m fine, Lucy.  Thank you for
asking.”

Tom and Lucy thought he looked
preoccupied.  He paced back and forth to the windows overlooking the parking
lot as if he was waiting for someone.  They raised their eyebrows, but didn’t
say anything.  They liked him very much.  He was a great boss and easygoing.

“Our dear leader has a secret.” 
Tom whispered to Lucy.

Lucy nodded her head.  “This should
be interesting.”

By the end of the day Monday,
Duncan looked disappointed.  Tom and Lucy shook their heads.

“We’re not going to get an answer
today,” said Lucy.  “I wonder who or what he was looking for all day.”

“I don’t know, but stay tuned on
Tuesday,” Tom replied.  “Suit or no suit?”

“Suit,” Lucy said.  “And did you
notice the haircut?”

Tuesday came and went.  Duncan had
on another suit.  He wore out a path in the carpet.  Tom and Lucy were getting
a little worried.  Duncan was a very private person.  It was fun for Tom and
Lucy to guess what he was doing, but if it got any worse, they’d get answers. 
On Wednesday, Tom and Lucy arrived before Duncan.  He showed up late, looking
dejected, but still in a suit and tie.  It was time for an intervention.

“You look like someone kicked your
puppy or stole your lollipop,” said Tom.

“What’s going on?” demanded Lucy,
hands on her hips.

Even though Lucy was shorter than
Duncan, she commanded a strong maternal presence.  Duncan couldn’t ignore their
concern and wanted to tell them about Meara.  He liked Tom and Lucy very much. 
They had shielded him from sympathetic patrons when his wife passed away ten
years ago.  They had also fended off patrons who wanted to fix him up on
dates.  He wore his wedding ring because it was easier to hide behind it.  Now
he had met Meara.  He was worried he had messed up his only chance to get to
know her.

Relieved to be able to tell them, he
exhaled.  “I met a woman named Meara at the supermarket on Saturday.  She and
her niece, Anne, were shopping and I introduced myself.  She’s new to town and
she’s a librarian.  I asked her to drop off her resume for the Head of Youth
Services position.  I’ve been waiting for her to come, but so far, she hasn’t. 
I’m not sure she will.”

Tom and Lucy listened attentively
to the longest speech he had ever given outside of a Board meeting.  They were
surprised, but secretly, they were pleased to hear Duncan might have a friend.

Always acting the part of the
wiser, but wisecracking, older brother, Tom summarized.  “You met a woman named
Meara, who’s a librarian.  You asked her to apply for a job that isn’t posted. 
You’re wearing a suit and you’ve been pacing for two days.  Is that about
right?”

“When you say it like that, it
sounds kind of crazy,” Duncan said, shifting uncomfortably.  “But yes, that’s
it.”

“Our dear director is smitten with
this Meara,” Lucy smiled.  “I hope she shows up because I’d like to meet her. 
She must be very special.”

“Yes, she is.  I’m not sure she’s
going to show up.  I think I made her uncomfortable.”  He glanced at his
wedding ring.

“How long are you going to hide
behind that ring?”  Tom chided.  “Brenda would have wanted you to be happy and
you know it.”

“I know.  I think I’ve missed the
chance to find out,” Duncan said.

“Don’t give up hope yet,” said
Lucy.

Duncan turned to the front doors to
see Meara and Anne walking up the path.  Anne was pulling Meara to the side to look
at the flowers.

He froze.  “That’s Meara.  And
Anne.  What are they doing?”

“Buying you time to get into your
office!  Anne is making Meara stop and smell the flowers!  Move!” commanded
Lucy.

He bolted for his office.  By the
time Meara and Anne made it to the entrance, Tom was there to unlock the
doors.  He was surprised to see Meara dressed in gray gym pants, t-shirt and
flip flops.  Her shoulder length hair was wet.  She was wearing silver-rimmed
eyeglasses.  She didn’t look like she was here to apply for a job.

“Good morning,” Tom said.

“Good morning,” they answered with
bright smiles.

Meara beamed.  “How are you today?”

Dazzled by her smile, Tom blinked. 
“I’m fine, thank you.  And how are you?”

“Fine, thank you!”

Anne stopped in front of the Circulation
Desk.  She saw the door to Duncan’s office.  She shifted the backpack on her
shoulder.  She nodded to Lucy.  Lucy nodded back.

Meara greeted Lucy.  “Good
morning!  How are you?”

Lucy waved to Meara.  “I’m fine,
thank you.  How are you?”

Meara replied, “I’m fine, thanks. 
This library is beautiful.  The flowers outside are wonderful.  Wow, what a
mural!  The artist is very talented.  Anne, do you want to pick out some
books?”

“You should get your library card
first!” Anne chirped while Meara poured over the mural.

“We can get it later.  People can
browse without having a library card.”  Meara stared up at the mural, waving a
dismissive hand at Anne.

“No, no, you should get it now!”
Anne insisted.

“Calm down.  I’ll get my card now. 
May I apply for a library card please?” Meara asked.

“Sure,” Lucy said.  “Just fill out
this card and I’ll set one up for you.”

“Thank you,” Meara said.

Duncan stood behind his office
door, straining to hear.  He couldn’t make out what she was saying.  She was soft-spoken
and listening to her voice wasn’t enough.  He wanted to know what she was
saying.  He wanted to see her and wondered how that was going to happen.

“Are you two new to town?” Tom
asked.

“No, I’ve been here since May.  I
have my library card, but she’s new.  I’ve been trying to get her here all
week.  All she wants to do is swim.  We met your director, Mr. Phillips, at the
supermarket.  He was really nice,” rambled Anne.

While Meara filled out the card,
Tom noticed she wore a wedding ring.  Tom was instantly on high alert.  His
instinct to be overprotective of Duncan kicked into high gear.  Duncan hadn’t
mentioned Meara was married.  Tom wanted to save both of them some
embarrassment if there was a misunderstanding.  After all, Duncan wore a
wedding ring too.  Meara handed the card back to Lucy.

“It’s nice to meet a fellow lefty,
Mrs. Martin,” Tom said.  “Should we fill out a card for Mr. Martin?”

Meara inhaled sharply.  Anne moved
closer to hold Meara’s hand.

Anne said quietly, “My Uncle Hank
passed away five years ago.”

Tom replied, “I’m sorry.  I can’t
imagine what a difficult time you may have had.  Our own director, Duncan, lost
his wife ten years ago.  He still wears his wedding ring too.”

“Thank you,” Meara replied, her
face clouding as she touched her wedding ring.  “I didn’t know Mr. Phillips’
wife had passed away.  I’m very sorry to hear that.  It’s not an easy thing to
go through.”

Tom and Lucy were pleasantly
surprised.  Meara had shown genuine concern for Duncan.  Some women, hearing he
was a widower, saw it as a green light to go after him.  Tom and Lucy liked
Meara.  Lucy was right thinking this woman was special.

“Please call me Meara,” she said. 
“I have a feeling we’re going to be here a great deal.  Are you ready to get
some books, Anne?”

“Can you find me some?” asked
Anne.  “I want to get a bookmark first.”

“I’ll be in the stacks, but you
have to read whatever I pick out.”

As Meara walked away from the Circulation
Desk, Anne looked at bookmarks.  Tom, Lucy and Anne waited until she was out of
sight.

“Where’s Mr. Phillips?” Anne
asked.  “I have her resume.”

“You follow your aunt and we’ll get
him over there!” said Tom.

Anne trotted off.  Lucy knocked on
Duncan’s door.  She could hear him breathing.

“You know, if I swung the door open
right now, I’d hit you in the head?”

“You’re so funny,” he said, coming
out of the office and standing at the Circulation Desk.  “Now what?”

“Mrs. Martin isn’t dressed for
dropping off her resume.  It sounds like Anne dragged her here.  She probably
hasn’t been losing sleep over meeting you,” Tom said.

“Thanks, that makes me feel so much
better.  Did you say Mrs. Martin?” Duncan frowned.

“Yes, Mrs. Martin.  Her husband
died five years ago.  You’re oblivious.  Your wedding ring worked on her, but
now she knows you have something in common,” said Lucy.

“Thanks, guys,” Duncan said as he
straightened his hair and tucked his tie into his suit jacket.

“This should be interesting,” Lucy
said, crossing her arms.  “I bet you Anne does most of the talking.”

“I’d lose that bet,” Tom replied.

Duncan approached Meara and Anne
casually.  He was nervous, yet eager to speak with Meara again.  He wondered if
she had been thinking about him.

“Good morning, ladies,” he said
brightly.

They turned to see him.  Anne
smiled and waved.  Meara’s expression changed rapidly several times.  She was
happy to see him, but was sorry for his loss.  She remembered he had wanted her
resume and she was in casual clothes.  She thought he looked extremely
attractive in a suit.  She blushed.

“Hi, Mr. Phillips!” chirped Anne.

“Good morning, Mr. Phillips.  How
are you?”  Meara asked shyly.

“I’m fine.  I’m very happy to see
you both.  Tom and Lucy told me you were here.  I’m glad you came, Mrs.
Martin.  Anne, are you finding books you’d like to read?” he asked.

“Aunt Meara picks out some great
books sometimes,” admitted Anne.

“Thanks, Anne.”  Meara rolled her
eyes.

He liked Meara’s sarcastic tone. 
Before they launched into an argument, he wanted to mention the job.  He took a
deep breath.

“Mrs. Martin, were you planning on
dropping off your resume today?” he asked.

“Mr. Phillips, I thought you were
being polite.  I didn’t think you really meant it.  I don’t have my resume with
me.”  Embarrassed, Meara held up her hands.

He replied, “Mrs. Martin, if I’m anything,
I’m a man of my word.  I mean what I say.  It’s too bad you don’t have it with
you.”

Taking off her backpack, Anne
smiled wickedly.  “I have it!”

Annoyed, Meara looked at Anne. 
“How do you have my resume?”

“It was on your computer.  I
printed it out.  Here you go, Mr. Phillips.”  Anne handed the resume to him.

“You’re a hacker now?” asked Meara.

“Yep!” replied Anne.

He acted fast before Meara dragged
Anne out by her ear.  “Since you’re here now, I’d like to look at your work
history and conduct an informal interview.”

Meara froze where she stood.  Sitting
at a nearby table, he motioned for Anne to take a seat.

He asked Anne, “Do you think it’s
worth looking at her resume?”

Anne replied, “I think so.  She’s a
good librarian.  I have no complaints.  Are you looking to hire a new librarian
soon?”

“I’m not sure.  I need to get Board
approval.  Why do you ask?”

“It’s the middle of June and
there’s no one here.  Don’t you have a Summer Reading Club?”

“I haven’t given it much thought.  Even
when we had a full time librarian, we have many children visiting the library. 
Is Summer Reading Club important?”

“You bet it is!  Aunt Meara loves
kids and libraries should be fun.  If you’re not getting a lot of kids, Aunt
Meara can take care of that.  I think you need to hire her as soon as
possible.”

With hands on hips, Meara scowled. 
“Don’t I get to ask questions or answer them?  Who made you my agent, Anne? 
Remind me to bring you with me when I want to buy a new car.  May I ask you a
few questions, Mr. Phillips?”