It was difficult to steady her breathing as she pulled up to the library’s crowded parking lot on Monday evening. Victoria sat in her car for a while, thinking of what words to say if she saw John. The paperback novel sat in her passenger’s seat, a loud reminder of what she could have if only she just asked. Tonight she would ask, plead if she needed to. Victoria took a deep breath and adjusted the mask over her eyes. She tugged the black knitted cap over her head and tossed her braids over her shoulder.

“Good enough,” she said to her reflection before leaving the safety of her car.

She scampered across the parking lot and paused before the entrance of the library. This was it, no turning back. Victoria took another breath, clutched the book to her chest and entered the building.

Inside, the party was already underway. Masked individuals passed by her as she crossed the threshold, making their way to a punch bowl. “The Monster Mash” blared throughout the building and the lights were dimmed. Farmingdale Public Library didn’t resemble the same library she’d visited while shadowing John. It almost felt like a nightclub.

Victoria made a beeline for the checkout counter where someone was actually working. Martha sat behind the counter wearing a Little Red Riding Hood costume and a red eye mask.

Victoria slid the book on the counter and shouted, “I need to return this book.”

“No need to shout, dear,” the woman said. “My hearing aid is back in business.”

“Oh.”

Martha opened the front cover of her book, scanned the barcode, and set it on the cart behind her. And then she went back to the novel she was reading.

“Excuse me,” Victoria said. “I need to pay the fine.”

Martha looked up. “What’s that?”

“I need to pay the fine,” Victoria shouted.

The older woman glanced at the computer and shook her head. “No, you don’t.”

Victoria gripped the counter, leaning forward to take a look at the computer. “But I do, it’s been overdue for months.”

The older Red Riding Hood swiveled the computer monitor to her. “No, you don’t,” she repeated. “There aren’t any fines here.”

Confused, Victoria looked through her account page. “What?”

“There’s a note though,” said Martha. She took a closer look at the screen. “Mmh. It looks like Mr. John Donovan left a message.”

Victoria’s scanned the message for herself and her heart bloomed. “Dr. Reese, is exempt from her fine as a token of my unwavering appreciation. She is not only a friend of the Farmingdale Public Library, but the love of my life.”

“He shouldn’t be leaving messages like that.” Martha made a tsk sound as she swiveled the screen back to her side. “It’s not very professional.”

It took everything Victoria had inside of her not to crumple into ugly tears.

The love of my life.