THIS POST IS JUST BEFORE IRIS HEADS FOR THE FERRY TO GO TO COFFEE INK
Iris Paige was just walking into her library shift for the saturday afternoon storytime when she noticed to her dismay that an older woman was stapling a small Happy Father’s Day paper banner up on the library events bulletin board. She approached her politely.
“Hi there…..you need to get permission to put things up here. Have you spoken to someone inside? Zeno should be around, but I’m Iris. I work here and I can help too. From what I understand we usually try to focus on the holiday stuff we can pair with literature….cultural ones like Indigenous Peoples Day, Black History Month, birthdays of famous writers, not so much the Hallmark type stuff….” Indigenous Peoples Day was the next day but as it was a Sunday, and the library closed on Sundays, the library was acknowledging it on their poster for activities themed to it today.
The woman turned with a severe look on her face. She was thin with short grey hair and wire framed glasses. “I’m a volunteer Iris. I’m Mrs Norris. And I’m helping….” She was wearing a brown pencil tweed skirt and a white blouse buttoned tightly to the top with a blue shawl. On her legs were scratchy looking nylons and she wore sensible black flat shoes. “And Father’s Day isn’t a worthy holiday now that we all have to cater to these special groups?”
Iris’s eyes went wide behind her glasses and she stared at the woman in disbelief. Special groups? Her jaw clenched as she walks past Mrs. Norris and tears down the banner and just hands it back to her “It’s worthy for those who wish to celebrate it within their families by their own choice. I love my father and I will give him a card. But I don’t want my storytime kids and their families to feel they have to. What if a family has lost a father, like ours did my mother? What if the kids are being raised by two moms? Families are diverse and complex….” She then points to a poster listing recommended books for Indigenous People’s Day which is the next day that also happens to be father's day “And the Indigenous folks and their friend and families on this island would probably appreciate if we don’t cover this poster up because yes they are a special group in this country….the first group we should all be reading about and understanding.”
Mrs Norris looked flustered and made an almost hissing sigh as Iris strode past her to get ready for story time.
Iris was dressed very casually because after the first few storytimes she had realized that it was just easier to join the kids right on the floor in the circle than to be up on a chair. And that didn't lend itself as well to wearing a skirt. So today she had on faded jeans that had a bit of a bell bottom and rainbows on the back pockets, white trainers and an oat coloured shirt with a vintage logo on it under a moss green cardigan. She had her usual brown leather backpack on that she wore to work.
Iris approached Zeno Katz at the library desk and quietly said “Hi Mr. Katz. I just met today’s volunteer….I feel like she might need some steering for her tasks. Would it be ok if I give her some of my ….filing work to keep her occupied?”
Zeno looked up from his computer when Iris spoke to him. “Todays volunteer?” he blinks and straightens looking at the paper calendar he had on the deak. “Oh, I forgot about the holiday … Yes … Mrs Norris .. she can take care of some of the filing I’m behind on … in the basement.” he sighs. “I’m sorry, I’ve just been so busy. I usually give her holidays off.” it suggests he means all holidays .. every last one.
“I completely understand Mr. Katz. I’ll happily redirect her. Technically the holiday she’s trying to push is tomorrow’s so maybe she snuck around you.” Iris sets down her pack and picks up the whole file box “Oh Mrs. Norris….Mr Katz has a very important job for you...let me carry these down for you…” She’s followed by grumbling and the shuffle of practical shoes down the stairs and the muffled sound of what may have been the lord’s prayer? Iris leaves her to it and jogs back up the stairs dusting off her hands at the top “Ah…” She sighs “Storytime books…”
Iris picks out a small stack including Blackflies by Robert Munch, Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk. There’s a few other titles she’s considering in the mix but those are her headliners for sure. Her group is the younger age, up to 5 or 6 so in reading to them with the theme of Indigenous Peoples Day in mind, she’s not going to hit them with the residential schools stories she will include for older kids. She’s certainly not reading about father’s day but perhaps Mrs Norris would cool her jets if she was aware of the strong and loving father figure character in Blackflies. She walks to the children’s section and sets up some cahir at the back fro any adults who want to stay and listen and a big circle of little vinyl cushions she can wipe down after spaced out decently on the floor. Then she putters around reshelving a bit while she waits for her little crew to arrive. She’s hoping Mrs Norris stays in the basement with the filing cabinets.
The parents, caregivers and children begin to trickle in about 15 minutes ahead of the storytime.
Lydia Alvin sends over Stone and Elle Copper and then gives Iris a wave and heads off to look at some gardening books for herself.
Stone can’t stay still and sit right away so he wanders over to the puzzle table and tries to figure out how the dolphin parts should go in the ocean scene it’s supposed to make.
Elle comes in and sits, making herself comfortable while also watching her brother. She is of course, too old for story time, but … someone has to watch Stone .. and he seems to like it when he knows here she is.
Daphne McLeod had been charged with bringing her sister Lucy to storytime. She barely drops her off as Lucy is so eager she dives to a cushion and Daphne, barely looking up from her phone heads back out the door while giggling at a text.
Liam Indi runs in and stops, considering where to sit. His mother watches from the doorway, then turns, heading for the gardening section for help with her yellowing leaves.
Noelle Snow walks in holding hands with Blaze and Olivia Dale. Both kids run for a place and sit together. She sees Iris and gives her a genuine smile and wave before heading to peruse cooking books.
Thea Page breaks free of her father at the door and races inside. She knows the library like the back of her hand already. She’s reduced her usual full pirate gear to a pirate tshirt today with her outfit and walks right up to Iris “Will there be pirate stories?” She demands and is gently steered by Iris to a cushion and told not today but there would be other fun books.
Iris had waved to all the parents and caregivers and now joined the circle herself. She craned her head towards the puzzle table where Stone was still figuring out dolphins “Hey Stone, we’re about to begin, would you like to join us for a few stories?” She knew from other days that he had a really hard time sitting still so she never forced kids like that. But to her pleasant surprise he came over and plunked down beside his older sister.
Fred Sewid walks into the library and goes to stand near the doorway of the library. He is dressed today in blue jeans and a light grey henley shirt with loafers on his feet. As he leans against the wall, Zeno Katz comes over to offer him a chair without a word. Nodding his thanks, Fred sits slowly and watches the kids. His bald head gleams a bit under the lights.
Iris looked around at all the young faces “If anyone’s new or had forgotten my name I’m Iris. And today we’re going to read some special books for Indigenous People’s day tomorrow so let’s begin with acknowledging who’s land we’re on while we read and learn. Iris had her First Nations Territory acknowledgement in a note on her phone so she pulled it out and read it. She didn’t do it for every story time but she felt for this one it was only respectful.
“We would like to acknowledge that our library, where we read and learn, is on the shared,
unceded traditional territory of the Katzie, Semiahmoo, Kwantlen and other Coast Salish Peoples.”
It likely wasn’t new to the kids, as it happened in schools, daycares and on the news a lot. Iris didn’t stop to explain it but instead dove into the first book. “Our first book today is written by Robert Munch about a family he stayed with and befriended in Fort McMurray, Alberta. The art is by a man named Jay Odjick, he’s a famous Algonquin artist. She opens the book and starts to read:
Robert Munch’s Blackflies, illustrated by Jay Odjick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuJG5IUjBzk
While Iris reads the book, Mrs. Norris emerges from the basement and hovers on the fringe of the storytime, observing for a moment. Then she weaves her way through the children’s bookshelves and finds a few books she wants to offer Iris. Her choices are all about Father’s Day, featuring what she sees as traditional families, two white heterosexual parents and their children in idyllic wholesome scenarios. On the top of her pile is a book with a cover featuring a little girl and boy washing their father’s car as a surprise. When Iris stops reading Blackflies Mrs. Norris appears at her side like a sudden attack of blackflies herself leaning down and holding out her book choice.
“How about this one Iris...for Father’s Day? Hello children. I hope you’ve all made your cards.”
Iris jumps and then sighs in obvious irritation “Mrs. Norris….you’re interrupting. And we’ve got our books...thank you.” she smiles politely because she’s in front of a group of children but it doesn’t reach her eyes. She picks up her next book and hopes Mrs. Norris goes away, looking at her story group with apologetic concern. She decides to just address it since Mrs Norris has opened the can of worms. “Yes, tomorrow is many days. Some people celebrate Father’s Day and that’s ok. It’s a choice. You also don’t have to. Not every family has a Mom and a Dad. There are many different ways to make up a family and we can be happy about the people we love every day.” She’s not sure how well she’s covered this because she’s been totally backed into a corner.
Mrs Norris huffs “Well every one of you has a mother and a father….be extra nice to your dads tomorrow kids..” She’s walking a little bit away but not back to the basement.
Zeno Kats watches Ms Norris as she passes his position. It was very rare in any library to have disruptions at all, but they did happen. He did not move, but watched Mrs, Norris as well as his new assistant, Iris. If she took over from him one day, she would have to take the good with the bad.
Elle stood up, as Mrs Norris was heading out of the room, but she found herself on her feet. Taking a step forward, staying close to Stone, and looked at Mrs Norris. “My father killed my mother and my baby sister … then he killed himself. Do you really think I should do something nice for him, you stupid old…” she checks herself. “Bat.”
Fred Sewid is watching beside Zeno. He does not rise from his seat, but the lips under his mustache twitch a bit and his eyes twinkle.
Iris has to work really hard to maintain her composure and not just run after Mrs. Norris and tell her right off. But then to both her delight and horror little Elle Copper walks up to her and puts her in her place with a story that breaks Iris’s heart and soul to hear but can in now way be argued with. She had a sudden understanding of the challenges of the Stone kids and her compassion for them exploded in her being. She also worried a bit about the impact of Elle’s words on some of the other younger kids. Shit, what a day. Iris gave her group a reassuring look and then looked around hopefully.
Lydia Alvin was holding a book called Carrots Love Tomatoes and offering an on the spot review for Slaine Indi as they chatted in the gardening books. Her momdar went off in spades as she saw Elle walking up to none other than Mrs. Norris and tensed up. “Scuse me Slaine…” She offered her the book and set it right into her hands and then made a beeline for Elle catching the tail end of what she said to her and looking fiercely protective “You leave my kids be.” She threatened Mrs. Norris but Mrs. Norris was already beginning to walk away.
Mrs. Norris was speechless and rooted to her spot while the young girl spoke to her about the violent end to her parents and baby sister. Even she couldn’t think of anything to reply. She saw Lydia Alvin coming at her like a momma bear and walked right out the front door without a word, dropping her little father’s day book on a random shelf.
Lydia put an arm gently around Elle if Elle let her. It was tricky with fosters “My big brave girl…” She looked at Elle with love and support “Do you want me to come sit with you and Stone for the next book?”
Slaine caught Elle moving out of the corner of her eye and followed her. Her eyes scanned the room for her son and spotted him.
Liam heard that strange old lady talking and almost said something, but then Elle stood up and spoke. He was shocked. They had a meaner father than he’d had. He stood and walked over to Stone, who he sort of knew, but had been hesitant to really talk to or get to know. Sittin beside Stone he spoke to him. “My dad is dead too. But he wasn’t nice either and I’m not sad he died.”
Slaine heard the words and closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and looked at her son. He hadn’t spoken on the subject of his father in this kind of depth …. Ever really.
Fred watched the children, as well as Lydia Alvin and the new girl .. Owen’s girlfriend … Slaine. He hears the pain these kids had gone through and sighed very softly.
Zeno continues to watch the scene and how Iris is handling it. He also realizes he may have to speak to her once it is done and explain … things … without getting into too much detail. The Fog was a rabbit hole few in town were willing to take anyone who hadn’t lived through it down. For now, he suspects she’ll handle the situation. He’d explain after.
Elle does hug Lydia, but then straightens. “No, thank you ma’am.” she looks over at Stone and the new boy. “We’ll be fine.”
Iris looks relieved when Lydia Alvin goes to Elle and then she watches shy little Liam walk over to Stone and share his own sorrows to comfort the other boy. Iris feels a lump in her throat and swallows hard. These kids had been through some serious shit and here was one showing up for another. People so often underestimated the empathy of children. They were truly amazing beings.
Stone watched it all between his sister and Mrs. Norris with a hollow expression. He softened only slightly when Lydia walked up to his sister. But when the other boy close to his age came up to him and told him about his also not nice dad and not being sad he was gone he made eye contact with the boy, which was not something he always did with people and gave him a small sad smile and a nod. He scoots over on his vinyl cushion making room for the boy if he wants to share it since he suspected Elle would come back to hers.
Lydia let go of Elle and gave her space. She let the kids set the boundaries, always. She looks worriedly at Stone but then sees and hears Liam and her hand goes to her heart. She walks over to Slaine and says quietly “Quite the boy you got there. Big heart.” She sees Stone’s reaction to Liam and has to close her eyes tight not to start crying in the library.
Lucy knew about what happened to Elle and Stone’s parents. She wasn’t supposed to as her parents had been talking in hushed tones about it but sometimes when they talked like that out on the back deck she sat under the window in fascinated horror. She heard all kinds of things. She didn’t understand them all. This story had given her nightmares though and she never told her mother and father what the dreams were about. She didn’t know how to feel about someone who could kill a baby. It was too big for her brain. She was happy the mean Mrs. Norris had left though. That lady didn’t seem to like kids, or grown ups from what she could tell.
Thea sat hugging her knees to her and taking it all in. The storytime had gotten very serious and a little scary. The weird old lady was upsetting Iris and then the older girl got up and said something to her Thea didn’t even know how to begin to understand. Then the boy sitting near her went over to what looked like the older girl’s bother and told him his dad had been mean and he wasn’t sad he was dead. Death was still confusing to Thea. She played all kinds of pirate games where it was kill or be killed but it was all in fun. She knew her mom had died but having never known her it was still like a story. She sat quietly looking a little lost about it all in this new town with new kids who had big scary sad stories.
Blaze Snow was confused by all the interruptions to storytime. He loved storytime. An old lady was making the storytime lady, Iris, look grumpy. She was talking about fathers. Blaze had a think about that word. Father. Daddy. Chris? He leaned into Olivia and chewed on the neck of his shirt a bit. An older girl got up and had some words with the the old lady that confused him even more and she seemed really upset. It was taking a long time for Iris to read them another book. A dark haired boy sitting near them walked to talk to the boy who didn’t like to sit. Blaze noticed a ladybug on the carpet and let it crawl on his finger and then held it up to Olivia. The first story had been all about bugs and some people and animals. He was a little sad there were no trains but he had liked the bear.
Olivia Dale had watched the interruption with wide eyes. There was a day just for fathers, but she didn’t think she had one. Her mother would have told her. Kids were moving around, but she stayed near Blaze, who she knew better than anyone because they were sister and brother. He held up a ladybug and she smiled, watching it on his finger. She and he would play with the bug until there was another story.
Now the kids seemed to be coming back and Mrs. Norris was gone. Iris couldn’t leave her group on this weird raw open wound. She blew out a breath and again was transparent with the kids “OK….if any of you kids need to talk to the grown ups you trust about today that’s ok. That’s what those grown ups are there for.” She looked at them all in turn and her gaze settled on Thea for a minute thinking they’d be having a heck of a talk later. She wondered if she should try and email the parents and caregivers and warn them about the unexpected intensity of the afternoon. A few, like Lydia and Slaine were in range. She hoped the library wouldn’t get any negative feedback on this. But more than that she hoped these kids were ok. Iris did the thing she knew best to offer some peace to the group. She read them a story, this one was a sweet little poem written by an Inuit throat singer, a bedtime story, a safe sweet story to distract from all the not safe not sweet moments of the day and their lives. “This book is called Sweetest Kulu.” She didn’t even describe it, she just read now:
Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk, illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol93jUR6hNA
Liam considered the cushion being offered to him by Stone. If he hadn't had any sugar, Liam was actually a pretty calm child, but Stone seemed a bundle of energy that made him almost nervous. But now he seemed calmer, so Liam sat beside him as they listened to another story that was nice.
Elle moves back to her place beside Stone only to find Liam there with him. She offers a small smile to Liam and sits to listen to the other story.
Fred watches it all from his perch. He was glad Ursula Norris had left the building and he watched the children, knowing where most of them came from. This Asian boy was new to him, so he at least knew his truma had nothing to do with Alexandra .. or he hoped it didn't.
Zeno nods as Iris handles the situation perfectly. He doesn’t know if she sees it, but he will offer her a small smile of encouragement. She’s turning out to be a good asset for the library.
Slaine hears Lydia and blinks back her own tears. “He does have a huge heart.” she sighs and smiles in pride. “Don’t you cry on me.” she whispers to Lydia. “If you start, I’ll start and then we have to explain ourselves.” she almost giggles and takes a few steps back, so as not to be hovering.
Iris closes the book “Thank you so much for coming to our storytime. See you next time.” She did a little wave to all the kids in the circle and piled up her books. The kids began to disperse and she saw some adults hovering and trickling in to collect them. She was still contemplating that email idea but decided she’d check in with Zeno about it once the kids were all picked up. She stuck around in the children’s area just milling about. She caught Thea as she started for the door in a quick little hug “Hey Captain...we’ll talk later ok?”
After the calm of the last story Thea actually seemed pretty back to normal. She hugged her sister though and took off, seeing her father when the door opened as another patron walked in. She squeezes through before the door closes all the way and is headed for home.
Lydia had heard Slaine and laughed at her. It was too true. Crying was bloody contagious. She sniffed and opened her eyes, giving the other mom a knowing smile before she watched the kids from a distance having their next story. The young lady library assistant, Iris. was dealing with everything really well and she appreciated that. When the storytime ended she stepped a little closer to herd her two out the door and gave Slaine a little wave as well as Iris. “Come on you two let’s go have some popsicles and set up the sprinkler.” She offered as a bit of late afternoon fun. She started for the door, hoping they’d just file out with the dangled offerings.
Stone gave the boy sharing his cushion a little smile “I’m Stone. See you next time.” He offered in introduction before he saw Lydia and started off. He was in range long enough to hear if the boy said anything back to him but as soon as he heard the words popsicles and sprinkler he was out the front door of the library like the place was on fire.
Daphne walked back in looking for Lucy and again barely looked up from her phone “Luc….come on. Mom’s packing a picnic for the beach.”
Lucy forgot about everything but the word beach and squealed “Beach! Thanks Iris!” She shouted, forgetting she wasn’t supposed to in the library and ran ahead of her texting zombie older sister as they left.
Elle smiled at the iea of sprinklers, but even more at Stone talking to another boy. She nodded and started walking until her brither, as usual, took off like a bullet from a gun ... and he winced at the fat that that was the parell she drew. "Slow down!!" she cried, taking off after him.
Liam saw the woman Stone was going straight for. "I'm Liam." he called as the boy ran out of the building like a train out of the station. He stood and walked almly to his mother. and smiled up at her as if everything were right with the world. he never wanted her to be sad again. Can we get the babies ice cream?" he asked, eagerly.
Slaine waved her good-bye to Lydia and looked at Liam as he came up smiling happily. She knew his at and some days appreciated it .. when it didn't worry her. "I think we can all have some ie cream." she decided and walked with him ready for him to talk about his father ... but she suspected Xavier's name wouldn't come up.
Noelle could see the parents or guardians collecting their kids and walked in to get Olivia and Blaze. She took them each by the hand and walked out. She'd heard some of the ruckus, and would explain if she could. She didn't think the kids were old enough to care much, but you never knew.
Blaze sees his mother and grabs his sister’s hand so they can go home. His mother always had nice snacks that were good for them and he hoped for a nice surprise.
Zeno watched as the children left the library, then turned his eyes and attention onto Iris. What a day for her. Clapping Fred on the shoulder, he moves to his assistant. “Iris, once you’ve tidied up, I’d like to see you in my office, please.” he tells her and then turns back. “It was good to see you again, Mayor Sewid.”
Fred stands as Zeno turns away from that strong girl who handled Mrs Norris so professionally. But he only spoke to Zeno. “I’ve never missed this day at the library.” he says with pride. “And enough with the mayor nonsense. That’s Brate’s headache now, but I suppose people will always call me Mayor.” he pauses for a second. “This one was the most interesting so far. Even better than when Owen and Seamus Reinhardt ran all around the place like a couple of little monsters. Owen damn near killed his brother when that bookshelf toppled.” he chuckles and he walks casually out of the library.
Zeno chuckles at Fred and the laughs, remembering the Reinhardt boys when they were younger. After seeing him leave, heads behind the librarians desk to the office beyond.
Iris said all her goodbyes and waved to her storytime folks and then nodded at Zeno “Yes Mr. Katz.” She replied respectfully. She had seen his encouraging smile and it had bolstered her confidence at the time and she had needed that. She gave the older man talking to Zeno a little nod and went to reshelve the books. She could still hear their conversation from where she was working. Mayor Sewid, former Mayor, check. She assumed Brate was the new name and she had heard it before with the story of Seamus breaking Mayor Brate’s window with a ball when he and Sasha met playing street hockey. Now Mr. Sewid went on and she smiled when he said it was interesting, hoping he didn’t just mean Mrs. Norris and the surrounding drama about then she froze at the next part of his side of the conversation. Seamus and his brother were holy terrors in this very library as children, with Owen almost killing Seamus with a bookshelf?! She bent her face into the books as she slid Sweetest Kulu back in and silently cracked up. She recovered and picked up the little cushions, wiping them down with lysol wipes as was the new Covid tradition before sanitizing her own hands and heading into Zeno’s office.
“Mr. Katz, I was wondering if I should email the storytime group contacts…..about how that all went today?” She began with.
Zeno was sitting at one of the two desks in the office. There were little cubbies created by piles of the books around desks and the floor. He turned when Iris entered. “Oh I did that already, as well as letting them know that my assistant, Iris Page handled the situation well and that Ursula Norris has been removed from the volunteer program.” she snorts. “I must have been out of my mind to even allow her to. I should've known better, I’ve known that woman forever.” he sighs and motions to the other office chair. “Please. Sit. I think that … the kids reactions anyway … require an explanation …”
Iris looked impressed and then flattered and relieved “Oh…” She exhaled “Thank you. Thank you very much. I was kind of winging it to be honest. I couldn’t believe that woman though. I mean she might be fine if she would just stick to filing...but ugh.” She chooses a chair and sits down “I am worried that some of those kids were a little frightened. I mean I feel HORRIBLE for what the Copper kids lived through. Oh my god….and Liam Indi….there’s so young.” She looks a little overwhelmed by the scope of it.
Zeno shrugs. “I will find a file clerk who won’t try and take on the role of Morality Police.” he scoffs. “I’m a little stuffy, I know. The Town Council insisted I put those 50 Shades of Smut on the shelves. But I’m not trying to tell people how to live. They just get most of their smut … somewhere else.” he thinks of the Dust Jacket and clears his throat. “I don’t know as much about Liam Indi … except it looks like he’s going to wind up a Reinhardt … they’re one of the older families in town on the mother’s side. Anyway I incorrectly assumed divorce. That’ll teach me to asume.” he pauses and takes in another breath. “I wanted to explain about the Copper kids … and actually other kids you might encounter who had tragedies back in ..” he pauses and decides against getting into the Fog. “2017.”
Iris nods in total agreement “No you’re not stuffy. The library is an all ages building. I don’t want any of the curious kids who happen to be advanced readers getting their hands on anything that sends them too far and fast down a path that’s meant for adults. Let them be kids as long as they get to have that. And as far as I’m concerned we could file a damage report on the entire 50 shades series and just put them in a box in the basement. Even for adults, it’s just poorly written derivative dung.” She listens about Liam and then has to chuckle and hold up a hand “Cards on the table Mr. Katz…” She takes in a breath “I’m dating Seamus Reinhardt. I was highly amused but not trying to listen in when Mr. Sewid told his story of he and Owen and the bookshelf incident. We’re...new , a new relationship so I haven't actually met all the Reinhardts. And by divorce do you mean Liam’s mother?” That part confused her. She tunes in carefully about the Copper kids and looks thoughtful.”2017...ok so just a bad year for the island? I mean the world saw a lot of weirdness that year and all those people who died in 2016...like their numbers were just up. I dunno maybe these things have cycles or something. That’s intense when it all happens close together though.”
Zeno gets a rather mischievous smile on his face when she suggests putting the entire 50 Shade collection in the basement. “Well, that’s where they are, actually.” he explains. “Officially they were all checked out and by mainlanders and never returned…” he shushes. “Librarian's secret.” Then Iris put her cards on the table about Seamus Reinhardt and Zeno blinks. “I .. see. Well, I don’t think Seamus is a bad kid .. well .. man I suppose. He comes in a lot to study. No idea what will happen after he graduates, but I like to think this library helped him to graduate Valedictorian, even with him having missed so much time sick with Covid-19. The rest is none of my business.” he brushes past Seamus’s reputation casually. He ignores her mentioning that she hadn't met his family. The way Seamus was rumored to go through women, that was no surprise, but it was also none of his business and he stayed out of it. “Now as to Liam’s mother .. yes I just assumed she was divorced from Liam’s father. I had no idea he’d died.” he blows out a breath. “Yes … 2017 .. after the earthquake on June the 21st anyay, got … particularly bad.” he clears his throat. “You’ve seen Lydia Alvin. She runs a foster home for many of our kids. Mina James. She’s 11 now … her parents died in a building collapse. The Mariner’s Inn. Dante Mendoza is 15 now. His mother was single … and after the quake she couldn’t handle the aftermath. She rented a room at the Olin motel and committed suiide. Dante came looking for her, saw her through the window and contacted the management. And, of course … the Copper family. Mother, father, two daughters and a son. Stone. Jeff Copper lost his job on the mainland after the quake and … well I guess he thought he was saving his wife and kids from a life of poverty … He killed the baby and shot the mother … I guess the mother lived long enough to tell Elle to take Stone and run .. which they did. Then he shot her in the head and used another bullet on himself. Stone was only 3 at the time … so it’s hard to say what he remembers. I like to think he doesn’t remember anything.” He clears his throat. “So … There are a lot of kids without fathers … and tragic lives on this island. Worse … Ursula Norris knows this. Or should.”
Iris has a newfound respect for her boss when he tells her what he did with the 50 Shades series. She pulls her fingers across her lips like a zipper to indicate she’ll never tell. Zeno has a curious reaction about Seamus and Iris knows a bit about Seamus’s reputation from what he told her. She also knows a different Seamus. Maybe someday, after they’ve both been seen making this thing work together they can shake off everyone else’s expectations and finally just be who they are...together. Who they are together? Iris get a grip on yourself. She nods about Liam’s parents and the wrongful assumption and then feels herself lean back into her chair almost bracing her body to it as Zeno goes on about the odd series of tragedies in 2017. It was like hearing the plot of a miniseries meets horror movie. She shakes her head after it’s all come to the conclusion that Mrs. Norris knew all this, or should have. “How could anyone not be aware of all that? Wow. that actually helps me to perhaps not trigger my storytime kids...if at all possible. Does this island have mental health services?” She looks truly concerned about this given the gravity of the lives of these children.
Zeno looks uncharastically judgemental. “Ursula Norris believes that she is here to save us all from ourselves. Or sin. Or .. whatever it is she is trying to do to please her god.” he lightens a bit. “I’m glad you’re taking the opportunity not to hurt these kids any more than they already have been.” he nods. “Oh, of course we have mental health services on the island. At first only one very overworked psychologist, but now we also have a psychiatrist.” he smiles. “And now we have doctors as well. Your father and Dr Beaulieu. Dr McKinney was all we had on the island for a very long time. Don’t get me wrong, she is fantastic, but it’s always nice to have some specialists.” He takes a deep and relieved breath. “I am very glad I hired you, Iris. You’re responsible, personable and, best of all, local.” he claps his hands happily. “Now, I should probably get back out on the desk.” and he’ll stand and head out there if Iris doesn’t stop him.
Iris grimaces about Mrs. Norris. She sounded like the worst of her father’s childhood in many ways. She doesn’t comment but makes a note to walk the other way if she sees the woman around town now. No thank you. She nods about her intent to not harm and then looks happy they have good doctors of all types. It does strike her as a little off that a population of this size is only getting an eye doctor and a dentist now. She smiles genuinely “Thank you Mr. Katx. I’m so happy you hired me as well. I love the job and this library and you’re a great boss and mentor. I’ll let you get back to it as my shift is complete for the day.” She walks out after him and quietly gathers her backpack from behind the desk “Have a good weekend Mr. Katz. Thank you for everything.” As she walks out past the bulletin board she sees a tiny sliver of the father’s day banner Mrs. Norris tried to force on them still dangling from a staple. Iris uses her fingernail to pick it out and then drops it into the paper recycling container below the board. She thinks of Elle Copper’s words and repeats them quietly into the bin “Good riddenace you stupid old bat.”
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