Page 64 of Must Love Libraries and Libations
The display earned them a massive round of applause from the audience.
“Good citizens, let me introduce my family. This is Melville, the eldest of the bookwyrms,” I began, then started naming the others, gesturing to them as I went. “And Lousia May and Hawthorne,” I said, gesturing to the pair perched near the stacks, “kindly request everyone stand clear of the Herbalism section, as they have three eggs that will hatch in a fortnight. Now that you have met our family, let me tell you a bit about what happens in the library each night when the doors close…” And then, I began to tell it all. I talked about the bookwyrms cleaning up the magic, the library reorganizing the books, the Wyrmwood tree blooming, and my care of the bookwyrms. I talked about all the things that went unseen, a world that had belonged only to me for such a long time. But now, I shared it all. “This is our library in the present,” I said. “But now, let me tell you about the past,” I said, then gestured to Granik, who pushed open a side door and began pulling a cart into the room. Sitting inside the cart was Juniper, dressed in the fashion of Moonshine Hollow of long past, and eating an apple while reading a book.
The crowd giggled.
That bit had been of their own design, but as Juniper had promised, it had gotten a chuckle from the crowd.
“I present to you the very first Moonshine Hollow Library,” I said, gesturing to the cart. “And two sample citizens.”
Everyone chuckled.
I then began to unfold the history of the library, from the cart and its load of books, and forward in time. Granik and Juniper modeled rare books, old maps, and other antique items while I covered the history of the library from its humble roots to the building it was now.
“It has been my duty, and my pleasure, to spend these many years serving this library and this town. Although my work on a rare codex is now complete and my duties in Moonshine Hollow have come to a close,” I said, looking at Primrose, whose eyes had widened, “I have come to think of Moonshine Hollow as my home. There is nowhere I would rather be. Thank you,” I said, then patted Melville, who gave me an affectionate nuzzle on my chin.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
“You are welcome to enjoy the displays,” I said, gesturing around the rooms. “And I am happy to take questions. Just, please, avoid the bookwyrm’s nest and…” I said, then paused, looking around the room. “Where is Stevenson? Stevenson?”
Everyone turned around until Stevenson was found, not to my surprise, with the baker, Rosalyn, digging through her handbag.
I chuckled. “And please, don’t overfeed Stevenson.”
Stevenson paused and looked at me, sticking out his tongue and blowing me a raspberry, before extorting the baker once more.
At that, I stepped from the podium, pausing alongside Juniper and Granik.
“You have my deepest thanks, both of you. I could not have done this without you.”
“We are happy to help. The expression on her face made it all worth it,” Juniper said, then looked behind me, smiling.
I turned to find Primrose approaching.
“You did all this?” she asked.
“With a little help,” I said, gesturing to Juniper and Granik.
“How…? Why…?” Primrose said, pausing. “It doesn’t matter. Thank you all,” she told us, smiling at Granik and Juniper.
“You are very welcome,” Juniper replied.
“Say, how long do we have before the next talk?” Granik asked me. “I saw some nice-looking finger sandwiches out there, and I’m starving.”
“You’re always starving,” Juniper teased.
“Half an hour,” I replied. “Then I will need your help once more.”
“That’s enough time. Come on, Junie,” Granik said.
Not waiting for her reply, Granik took Juniper’s hand and pulled her from the room.
Helpless, Juniper waved goodbye to Primrose and me, then disappeared into the crowd.
“It was amazing,” Primrose said, her eyes shining. “It was more than I could have dreamed up.”
“I highly doubt that, but I’m glad you’re happy.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked, gesturing.
