Albert Sidney Johnstone Memorial Library was the heart and soul of geek culture in Benton. Here each Tuesday the anime club gathered together to watch a few episodes of any given anime that seemed popular or given reports on the manga we've read that week. And on Friday and Saturday evening the Roleplaying Club would host sessions. Of course Dungeons and Dragons was the main draw, but there were other games people could play. Little Fears was another darling and my personal favorite.
And so one day before my birthday I found myself wandering through the long row of books, browsing the titles, stopping once or twice to pause in front of a book that caught my eye. I'd been an avid reader most of my life. I'd learn to read and write early in life. Lily, bless her soul, had taught me the alphabet before I'd left the crib. And PBS Kids had been among my first tutors. I owe a debt that can never be repaid to the colorful cast of Sesame street.
Anyway it's safe to say that our town's Library has been a place of refuge from the troubles of the world. I had spent countless hours of my early childhood here. Escaping to such places as Narnia, Oz, Hogwarts, Middle Earth, and Sodor. And speaking of Narnia, I was reminded of my first female role model, Susan Pevensie, the second born of the Pevensie children. She always struck me as the perfectly strong female character, a female Robin Hood if you will. I mean with titles such as Queen Susan the Gentle: Marksman Queen; Queen Susan of the Horn could not be epic.
Her treatment in “The Last Battle” had really rubbed me the wrong way and had caused me to abandon the series though. Anyway it was the day before my birthday and I'd needed to return some books I'd borrowed. I also needed to check out a few new books and pick up a form to play Dotty. As much as I hate to say it, Madeline had been right about one thing. I do grow sour when I think the world's forgotten me. And I do like seeing “Jamie Sarah Potter” written in the newspaper.
And so with that in mind I decided to volunteer to play Dotty. And where did one find the forums to fill out to play Dotty, the town's library of course. And so three R.L Stine thrillers in my hand I walked up to the front desk and peered toward the girl who was typing away. I knew the girl off the bat. Sitting behind the wooden desk was a girl around my age. Her brunette hair was pulled back in a tight bun, she wore a white blouse and a black pencil skirt, white stockings and black low heel shoes. The silver name badge pinned upon the left breast pocket read. “Madeline”.
“So.” I said, clearing my throat. “I'm going to take your advice and volunteer to play Dotty.” I said as I peered toward Madeline who kept tapping away at the keyboard. She paused though and turned around and peered at me for a good long moment. Then a big smile crept across her face as she stood up and pushed her rolling chair backwards.
“Wonderful.” She said smiling. “ Cheerleaders always bring in the donations.” She said as she walked toward the counter top. “Plus, you'll get your name in the paper, and your picture will be posted all over Facebook and Twitter too.” She said smiling as she started to stamp the books I wanted checked out. “And then you can be reminded that this whole town loves you and adores you.”
“Madeline.” I said, taking a deep breath. “You really grate on me at times.” I said releasing my breath as I folded my hands across my chest. Of course I'd been bracing for this all day. I knew Madeline would have to say something smart about me volunteering to play the role.
“Hey, what are best friends for?” Madeline said as she stamped each book. “Okay Ms. Jamie Sarah Potter before I let you borrow these books out, I'm duty bound to inform you that you owe two dollars and thirty five cents in late fees. And the sum must be paid in full before you can borrow any more books.”
I blinked again and before I could say anything I found myself digging into my purse, I quickly pulled out my wallet. I opened my wallet and pulled out three crisp one dollar bills. I handed the bills to Madeline and said.
“Here, keep the change.” I said as I handed the bank notes to Madeline. Who looked at them for a good long moment before taking them into her hand. “Sure. I'll keep the change, I'll buy myself a packet of gum or animal crackers with them.” She said smiling as she handed the books over to me.
“Anyway.” I said leaning over the desk. “Got the forum I need.” I said smiling. Much to my amusement Madeline had reached into the drawer of the desk and pulled out a box of Pocky, she was munching on a stick as she turned around and handed me a form and a pen.
“When are you going to volunteer and play Dotty?” I asked as I peered toward Madeline as I started feeling out the forum. Madeline was on her third stick and at this very moment looked like an anime character. God this girl made my life complete. She was my best friend, heck she was my sister from another mother. Though when I asked the question, she froze and turned around and peered at me.
“I mean your also a cheerleader, your a published author, your quite popular yourself.” I said. “Plus you've volunteered for a lot of things, let's see you volunteered for the Discover Benton dunking booth attraction twice, the safe Halloween dunking stool once, you've gotten beaned.. and been gunged on your mom's show too. So, yes your popular, heck everybody who bought your book might donate too.” I said smiling.
“Jamie.” Madeline said as she shoved another stick of pokey into her mouth. “Just fill out the forum okay..” I swear I caught a ghost of a blush on Madeline's cheeks!.
“Fine.” I said reaching over the desk and picking out a pen from the jar that rested near the lamp. “But I'm just saying that you're getting all these other people to volunteer, you need to volunteer yourself. I mean, think of it.” I said teasing. “Plus, I think you'll look adorable in the costume.” I paused and decided to get one more cheap shot in. “Plus, you do bark sometimes and even growl.”
Madeline said nothing. Nothing at all instead she shoved another stick of Pockey into her mouth as she glared at me, it was the kind of stare that would make a grown man quiver. A kind of leer. After a moment of her just looking like she wanted to reach across the desk and box my ears, Madeline just sighed and shoved yet another stick of Pockey into her mouth. She'd nearly gown through the whole box at this point. I chuckled and returned to filling out the forum.
Madeline noticed me chuckling and paused her snacking to raise her eyebrows at me At this point I was really chuckling because she reminded me of a squirrel carrying a load of acorns in mouth, her cheeks were poked out with Pockey. She looked really comical.
“Madeline.” I said in a teasing tone of voice. “I wish you could see your face right now, it's priceless. You look like a squirrel carrying a load of acorns.”
“Oh I can't wait till you volunteer to play Dotty girl. I promise you I can name three sponsors off the top of my head right now. Brewer Farms, Heather's House Party, and Benton Memorial Library.” Madeline paused and smirked a little. “And let's not forget Sweet Magnolia Tea Room and Bakery, Pandora's Family Hair Salon, Potter's Mercantile, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Benton Academy, and of course the Midnight Society will also donate.” She added.
I felt my cheeks flush with color. I wanted to stick out my tongue, but I returned to filling out the forum. I was almost finished.
“When are you going to volunteer?” I asked again as I filled out the last box.
Madeline rolled her shoulders and shrugged them. She took another bite of Pockey and said.
“I'm not, and I don't really plan on ever volunteering to do the skit. Besides, nobody is going to donate money if I volunteer. People barely donated any money when I volunteered to do the ducking stool at Safe Halloween. But you, Ms. Jamie Sarah Potter, you have quite the list of titles behind you. People are far more willing to toss their crumpled dollar bills and pocket change into a bucket to see you make a fool of yourself.” Madeline said giggling a little.
“Right.” I said, smirking a little. “You're just scared.”
I swear I saw Madeline blush at that. She reached out and took the form and signed off on it.
“Okay, I'll consider volunteering after your turn. Now.” she said, taking a deep breath. “If you would go stand beside the poster that features the cartoon dog. Behind you.” She said pointing toward a colorful picture that featured Dotty the doggy princess. “I'll snap your picture and post it to Facebook so people can start donating.”
I felt a sudden blush starting to come over my cheeks. I mean if I'm honest with you, I love getting my photo taken. It was just that this was so sudden you know. I mean, I was thankful I was wearing at least a nice looking skirt, a black and red checkered pattern one and a nice looking shirt at the time. Madeline must have noticed me blushing and as she stood up she sighed a little. It was an understanding sigh I like to believe.
“Okay.” She said reaching into her purse to withdraw her camera. “If you need to do anything. Fix your hair, touch up your make-up, change outfits.” Madeline then started to smirk a little. “I know what a little dive you can be. So go ahead and get dolled up for your photo. I'm sure it's going to make people donate even more.”
At this point I just stuck my tongue out at Madeline. I could tell she was being a little cheeky. So I decided to take her up on that offer. And so I smiled, pulled out my hair brush and removed my ponytail holder, I started to brush my hair out then, taking my time of course, making sure to hit every golden strand of hair. Once I was done I divided it down the middle and tied each section off with a cord of red and white ribbon. Soon I had two perfect pigtails.
“Oh wow.” Madeline said, rolling her eyes. “Really Jamie? Pigtails? Thought you would go with the classic high ponytail or something? Anyway it's your hair girl, wear it the way you want it.” She said as she picked up her camera. “Anyway are you ready?”
“Of course not girl!” I said blushing a little. “I still need to do my face!” I paused before I added. “I mean this picture's going to be posted on the web right? And the idea is for people to donate their money to support our towns only no kill animal shelter right? So I gotta look my best!”
Madeline blinked and blinked. She then rolled her eyes and shook her head. I swear I heard her mutter something along the lines of 'Sweet Jesus, please go ahead and take me now.' as she placed her head down upon the wooden desk and started to move it back and forth. This was my way of paying Madeline back for suggesting I volunteer for this stunt anyway.
And so with that being said I pulled out my compact from my person and started to apply a flesh layer of powder. I then touched up my lipstick. Madeline at this point was rolling her eyes this way and that way as she watched each step. I took my time too, mainly to grate her. I swear I even heard her say 'God Jamie, you're more of a girl than me, and that's saying something.'
Anyway once I was done I bounced over to the photo, smoothed out my skirt and smiled. Madeline took the picture a few seconds later, she took several more too. Once she was done she smiled at me and said. “Looks like you just got your first few donations.” She said leaning back in the chair and blinked.
“Wow! That was fast!” I said blinking.
“Yep, while you were getting made up I went ahead and sent out a group text. You just raised close to three hundred dollars. Mind you the record is five hundred and something. But I donated, Daisy donated, Lily donated, Robin donated, Linda donated, Susan donated, The Bell's donated, the Edward's donated, and they just keep rolling in girl.” Madeline said, smirking.
“Oh sweet puffer fish..” I said blinking.
“Oh look, the link to donate just been shared on the Benton Academy Facebook page. And Lauren the girl who volunteered to play Dotty last summer, the one who got rained out. But did it at the massive BBQ that Kayla held and shared it with the public school. Taylor, Cerridwen are sharing it. Our boyfriends are sharing it.” Madeline said grinning.
“Oh sweet Jesus..” I said as my eyes went as big as saucer plates. “You're joking right.” I said as I leaned over the counter. “Four hundred dollars and counting.” Madeline said with a grin. And that is how that episode comes to an end. With me wondering what the hell I managed to get myself roped into now.
