Goodnight Library Franklin Ky Novels & Stories

Ford pointed out and I turned back to him. “But I didn't, thanks to you.” I retorted and his eyes narrowed as he stared at me. “Where are the children?” He inquired. “They are taking their afternoon nap,” I said. “Is there a particular reason you are cleaning the library shelves?” Mr. Ford probed and it irked me. “Your housekeeper ordered me to,” I said shortly and Mr. Ford remained silent. “I heard your wolves howling last night. They kept me awake for the whole night but no big deal right? Because they are dogs.” I said sarcastically as I turned away from Mr. Ford and I waited for him to speak but he remained silent.

"Okay. Tomorrow, I'll yours. But now, let's go in. Otherwise, your father will scold me." *** After Louis and Emily left, Frank took Cayden somewhere. Cayden felt worried because Kara didn't come with them. It was just him and his "future father-in-law". However, when he arrived at a library, his anxiety turned to astonishment. "Do you know what this place is?" Frank asked as he was walking. Cayden, who was paying attention to the layout of the room, spontaneously turned his head with round eyes. "A library?" Frank snorted. "Even kindergarten kids know that this is a library. I mean, can you guess why I took you here?"

Most of the cars were carrying some fruits and vegetables from the farmers to the nearest market and nearest town. Sonya inhaled. ‘That’s the reason why Mr. Jackson and Auntie Caroline asked me to return home before sunset. There are no street lamps alongside!’ Sonya looked at the street view from the car’s rear mirrors. ‘I could imagine how dark the street is after the sunset!’ Sonya pushed the door of the library. It was so quiet inside. She caught only Frank sitting at his desk and two other librarians. “Have you finished reading those books?” Frank took the book that Sonya submitted to him from his desk.

Richard’s mouth fell open as if to speak but he closed it quickly, fearing he might stutter. They had been sitting and talking: George mentioned where Tommy Truitt’s current construction site was, in case he was interested. He also informed him of the recent passing of an unfortunate, ailment-plagued lady named Mrs. Wintermute who was just laid to rest over the weekend, a retired teacher of Michelle and Rich’s. Franklin knew her, he’d confided, recalling vaguely how the woman used to help him during the book fairs in elementary school, when he could never seem to make up his mind and choose from the array of books available.

I haven’t even connected with any girls. I look back at Franklin and his eyes are focused on what’s going on in the room. I say, “I think I’m going to call it a night.” He looks at me with a frown and asks, “Already?” I chuckle, “It’s midnight, Frankie. This party doesn’t look like it’ll be settling down anytime soon and I’m tired.” He nods his head, “Okay.”

The library breathed like a tired animal—old stone ticking in the heat, incense trapped in the mortar, dust floating in golden shafts from the clerestory slits. Frank’s phone chimed once, then began to ring out; somewhere far away, a bedside lamp would be coming on. “Backup?” Gabe said, eyes still on the engraving of Gabriel and the horned serpent.

The rain was hitting the tall windows of the Cedarville Public Library like handfuls of gravel. Owen sat at the front desk, scrolling through the late return fees on his computer monitor, the blue light reflecting off his wire-rimmed glasses. It was 8:47 PM on a Friday. The library stayed open until nine on Fridays, a policy Owen had never understood. Nobody came in on Friday nights. Nobody except the rain and the quiet.

“Goodnight, Kat.” “Goodnight, Alex.” He left. The door clicked softly behind him. And I stood there alone in the hallway, my hand still brushing the edge of the wall, my heart full of too many things to name. I should have felt relief that the day was over. Instead, I felt something else entirely. I walked back to Franklin’s room, pushing the door open quietly. He was still asleep, curled into a little ball, the “cool stick” now tucked under his pillow like a secret.

Taking a deep breath, we walk into the orphanage together. Frank is inside sitting with the children, reading them a story. He glances up briefly but goes right back to reading to the children. He is reading a story about a lost girl that finally found a home. As he finishes the story, he finally makes eye contact with me, his eyes a little misty. "Alright everyone, it is time for bed. Let's get to sleep so that we can get an early start in the morning." He says to the children.

he said. He spoke quietly into his earpiece. A pause. Then he nodded once. "Yes," he said. I walked back to my room with the book held against my chest. The negotiation book. But my mind was still on the other one. Dark green spine. Faded gold lettering. Third shelf from the bottom. Four books from the left. Stone City's history sitting quietly in the corner of Ryan Thompson's library. Waiting. I sat on the edge of my bed and looked at the cover in my hands.