Love Finds Rowena Crenshaw

Rowena Crenshaw reached for another stack of books from the returns tray and started scanning them back into stock. She finished and as she reached for the next stack she glanced up at the clock, ten twenty two, and wondered if the lady would come in again today. Sure enough at ten twenty five, exactly the same time as the previous three days, the lady entered the library.

She was of smallish build just five three perhaps. Her dark brown hair was cut in a bob and she had a tired but pretty face. She was more than just smallish Rowena decided, she was really quite thin. She wore a pink cardigan, white blouse buttoned up, a cream pleated knee length skirt and lowish tan heels. She had her handbag, which matched her shoes and her umbrella-just in case thought Rowena- looking out at a blue sky.

Rowena carried on with her scanning glancing up from time to time to see what the lady was doing. Her actions were the same as previously; she found a seat away from the main reading tables, put her hand bag and umbrella neatly beside the chair, went to the romantic fiction section, found a book, same place as yesterday, returned to her seat, got her reading glasses out, put them on, closed her glasses case, put it back in her hand bag, found her page and started reading.

There was something about her that appealed to Rowena and her interest had been noticed by the other librarian Martha.

"Why don't you go over and say hello," She suggested as she joined Rowena in scanning returns.

"Oh I couldn't, I shouldn't even be looking, and I'm being very rude looking at her. I just need to stop and get on with what I'm paid to do."

"Oh look if you're going to be a chicken shit just say so," Martha retorted rolling her eyes.

Rowena knew she was right but she was terrified. She hadn't just watched the lady out of idle curiosity these four day; she had been trying to build up the nerve to go and speak to her.

"Oh come here," Martha said and seized her arm.

'What are you doing?" Rowena exclaimed as she was forced across the library to where the lady was sitting. She in turn looked up as the librarians approached fearful that she had unknowingly broken a library rule and was going to be thrown out.

"I, I," she started closing the book and reached for her bag anticipating being asked to leave the library.

Martha put her hand up,

"You're fine love, no problems."

The lady relaxed a little and put the book on her lap.

"This is Rowena," Martha told her pushing Rowena forward, "Rowena thinks you are really nice and wants to talk with you but she's too shy to come over here and tell you that herself so I'm being horrible and embarrassing her."

Rowena turned red, she had never been so humiliated in her entire life but as she waited for the earth to end her misery and swallow her up the lady looked up and gave her a shy little smile.

'Do you?" she asked Rowena, then added, "want to talk with me?"

Rowena shrugged, looked away then darted a look in her eye, looked away again and nodded.

"Hey, there's room on the settee over there," Martha informed them helpfully and stepped back to leave Rowena close to the lady.

"Hey, have your break now, huh?" She added thrilled at how her matchmaking efforts were going.

Rowena nodded and moved to the side a little as the lady got her umbrella and hand bag and moved over to the settee Martha had pointed at. She sat down part way along, looked up at Rowena then down at a spot close to her on the settee.

Heart pounding and terrified Rowena sat beside her.

"I'm Rowena," Rowena said thinking how lame that must sound- it was on her badge "Rowena Crenshaw SENIOR LIBRARIAN. " Automatically she put out her hand. The lady took it and they shook.

'I'm Alice, Alice Wilmott." Alice replied.

Neither knew what to say next and so they sat together in silence each waiting for the other to say something but still happy to be in the others' company as they recognized each other as kindred spirits.

"Do you like the romantic stories?" Rowena asked finally, hoping to start a conversation.

"Yes," Alice replied, nodding.

Silence.

"I like them too," Rowena remarked fidgeting with embarrassment.

More silence.

'Oh, um," Rowena started. She wanted to say how much she liked Alice but knew she couldn't, well not yet anyway. Alice had looked up at her when she had said her "oh um" waiting for her to say something.

Another silence but now Alice spoke,

"It's really nice of you to come and speak to me," she said softly looking down, then she looked up and caught Rowena's eye for just a second and added, "I get quite lonely at times" looking away again as she said it.

Rowena nodded. She was thinking of her own life and realized she got lonely too. She was lost in her reverie for a few seconds then looked up and smiled. Words didn't come although she wanted so much to say something, instead she put her hand out palm up for Alice to hold.

Alice took her hand, got a squeeze from Rowena and their hands rested on their knees both having turned to be at an angle towards each other with their inside knees slightly touching.

Now the words came and Rowena spoke.

"I feel really rude, you know?"

Alice looked at her quizzically waiting for her to continue.

"I mean I took a liking to you the first time I saw you and I used to watch you- Oh it sounds so horrible! Like I was a stalker or something- I hope, you know, I hope I didn't scare you or anything?"

"No," Alice smiled and the smile lingered as she looked down obviously remembering having seen Rowena looking at her.

"At first I thought maybe there was a rule on how long you could stay in the library and maybe you were checking on me but, oh it doesn't matter, you liked me from the first time?"

"Yes, I hope you don't mind. Oh and I noticed you have a routine and each day you do the same things?"

"Yes, they said I should have a routine, apparently it helps recovery after a break down..."

'Oh darling!" Rowena exclaimed; she felt an urge to comfort, to protect Alice and without thinking put her arm round her while still holding her hand and pressed forward to cuddle her.

Alice hugged her back thinking what a strong woman Rowena was while Rowena thought how delicate Alice felt. Rowena kissed her cheek affectionately and started to get up.

'Do you mind if I speak to Martha?"

Alice had no idea why but why not? Martha seemed a nice person- she could have done with a Martha or two in her life not so long ago, a Rowena would have been nice too she thought wistfully. She shook her head,

'No, that's OK."

And so she watched as the taller Rowena with her strong looking hips and powerful backside walked back across to the counter to speak with Martha. The latter had her back to her but she saw the jaw drop, the head lower and shake slowly from side to side. A final shaking of the head then she put her hand on Rowena's shoulder and rubbed- a reassuring gesture. Now though Martha had turned and was headed heading straight for her.

'Oh gosh," thought Alice cringing as the battleship headed her way. Martha was the Matriarch of her family- she was, in fact, one of God's Chosen Organizers - and she was now On A Mission. Reaching the settee she parked one ample cheek on it and took Alice's hands in hers.

"My Lord you poor darling!" she exclaimed and letting go of Alice's hands put her arms round her and pressed her to her own ample bosom. Alice felt cocooned with Martha's meaty arms pressing her in to that amazing bosom of hers. Martha's hand came up to Alice's head and Alice felt it stroking her hair. It felt wonderful, just utterly surrounded and the strength; both the physical strength and this incredibly powerful personality.

Martha could feel the frail wee thing in her arms relaxing. She held her for a minute or so then pulled back a little and smiled at her.

'Better?" she asked, smiling and Alice could feel the warmth in her voice.

She smiled, raised her head to kiss her on the cheek and said very quietly,

"Yes, thank you."

Martha nodded,

"Come over and you can sit out the back with us, it's time for a coffee."

She helped Alice to her feet and guided her across to the counter with one large arm round her waist. Rowena had lifted the flap and Martha ushered Alice into their back area. It was a room with their lunch table, a couch next to it and in another corner a table with books needing repairs on it.

She put the jug on and served up some cookies from the jar. Rowena popped back to join them and Alice shared the best ten minutes she could remember with them until the counter buzzer rang and Rowena got up to answer it.

"She really likes you," Martha stated flatly. Alice smiled, enjoying the thought, and nodded.

"She's nice."

"She is that, hey look could you help us out?"

"Yes, certainly, I guess."

"You see these piles of books?"

She could hardly miss them.

" They're all off the shelves because they need repairs. Just minor ones. If Rowena was to show you how would you like to have a go at mending some?"

It was a challenge and Alice felt that familiar tensing.

Martha saw it and reached over to stroke her arm in reassurance.

"How about you watch and when you think you're ready? How about that?"

That was way better and Martha noticed the tension leave her body and the frown was replaced by a smile.

When Rowena came back in Martha was at the sink doing the dishes with Alice sitting at the mending table a chair next to her.

'Row could you just sit here with Alice and show her a few mending tips? I'll mind the fort," Martha asked over her shoulder. Rowena pulled a chair over and sat down next to Alice.

"OK," she said taking a book from the pile and flipping the torn cover out, "what we're going to do..." and she was off, cutting here, pasting there as she showed Alice what to do.

After a time she asked if Alice would like to do one with her and tentatively Alice worked with her concentrating as hard as she and the medication she was on would allow as together they repaired a plastic cover and mended a spine.

It had taken less than ten minutes but it left her exhausted. Rowena was reaching for the next one when she saw it. She put the book back and put her hand over Alice's.

"They can wait sweetie, how are you feeling?"

"I'm tired I guess," she replied, "but I did enjoy that."

She ran out of breath and hoped the little tired smile she gave Rowena would let her know how much. And then she slumped. Before her head had moved two inches Rowena was holding her.

She slid one arm under Alice's legs. pushed her own chair back then scooped her up to place Alice on her lap with her head resting on Rowena's left shoulder while Rowena held her in place with one solid arm around her waist and the other stroking her shoulder. The eyes fluttered open.

'Close your eyes darling," she told her nuzzling in to her, "Just rest now, that's a good girl, you just get some rest."

Alice took little bidding, she loved being on Rowena's lap and was happy to drift off as her hair was stroked and she felt Rowena's soft warm cheek pressed against hers.

Through the back was a small room they used for naps on occasion. Martha slipped out to it and remade the bed, pulling the covers back. Rowena carried Alice to the bed,sat on it as she took her shoes off her then lay her her on the bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. Alice lay with her eyes closed and Rowena sat on the bed watching to make sure their guest was asleep. She soon was and Rowena continued to sit staring at her thinking how helpless and frail she looked and she knew she was in love.

Alice slept through the afternoon as Martha and Rowena took turns to sit with her. She awoke at quarter to five and opened her eyes to see Rowena's impressive hip followed by her arm, the outline of her sizable bust and lastly the anxious caring face which now broke into a huge smile as she saw Alice was awake.

Martha closed up at five and came back to join them.

"We have to close now honey," she told Alice gently, "do you need a ride back to your place? You're at McAlister Street? The big brick place?"

Alice nodded.

Very gently they helped a much refreshed Alice to her feet and out to Martha's car. Rowena held her hands after she had got in and gave her a hug and a quick but heartfelt kiss on the cheek before pulling the belt down for her and closing her door.

As the car pulled away she stood watching it with the tears streaming down her face. She was hopelessly in love and wanted so much to care and protect her beloved Alice. Whatever it was that was wrong in her life she longed to protect her from it; whatever was needed she longed to give it.

Martha said very little on the drive over to the Community House, Alice sat nervously and glanced over at her from time to time.

"We loved having you with us, you know," she said as they waited at the lights.

"You will come and see us tomorrow, won't you?"

Alice turned to her and nodded; she stroked Martha's arm briefly and mouthed "thank you" to her.

The next morning she arrived early and was met by Martha who, very importantly, gave her her Badge "Alice Willmot, TRAINEE LIBRARIAN" and insisted on pinning it on her. As before they went out to the back room where Rowena sat repairing the books.

She hadn't expected Alice to come so early and, indeed, had wondered if they hadn't overdone it yesterday, herself especially, and scared her away. The instant she saw her Rowena was on her feet with a smile of pure delight on her face. She moved quickly over to where Alice stood just inside the doorway and hugged her, there was no way she could help herself; to her utter joy Alice hugged her back.

"What's this?" Rowena asked on seeing the badge, "trainee librarian? Wow."

Alice shrugged then grinned and nodded. They sat on their couch and held hands, Alice reaching for Rowena's hands rather than waiting for hers to be held.

"I had such a good night last night," she started, "When I got home, like where I'm staying, I told them I had met you guys and how lovely you were to me, oh and the nap and I asked if I could try sleeping with no medication and they said well um not sure, um OK" She pulled funny faces all through her impersonation and Rowena shook with laughter as she watched her.

"Yes, so you tried without medication?"

"Yes and I had the best night's sleep I can remember, wanna know what I dreamed about?"

"Mending library books?"

"Yes, I did actually and in my dream I was really good at it and I dreamed about Martha but mostly I dreamed about you."

She squeezed Rowena's hand and Rowena noticed it was a stronger grip than yesterday, she squeezed gently back and the delight showed on her face.

"I wasn't sure you'd come back," she said, "I cried most of last night because I thought you'd, um, you know, just stay away."

Alice was astonished, Rowena, strong decisive Rowena had been so upset that she might not return. She reached over and hugged her.

"Well now you know, don't you?" She gave a little grin and poked her tongue out at her.

Rowena looked at her adoringly and nodded. The realization that it wasn't a brief interlude, that Alice genuinely had feelings for her sent shivers through her and she knew at that moment she had never felt more happy to be alive.

Martha had slipped discreetly back out to the counter on ushering Alice through to see Row. A half hour later she popped back in to see them sitting side by side each repairing books. Row was going very slowly she noticed and constantly encouraging Alice who had a small pile of repaired books to her left.

"How's our trainee Librarian going?" she asked. They both looked over at her.

"She's a natural," Rowena replied then turned to Alice and said quietly, "It's true you are so good with your hands. No, true, you are, those are really good, excellent, repairs."

It meant a lot to Alice to hear that. She had been trying to do a good job and had been pleasantly surprised, as had Rowena, at how much more energy she had that morning than the day before. They worked on, had a break for a coffee and some more home baking then back to work. Alice had eaten a whole cookie this time, the day before she had just nibbled at one. A half hour later and she was beginning to tire, she had gone far longer than either Martha or Rowena had thought she would but she was just being watched so there would be no repeat of yesterday.

At eleven twelve Rowena decided that was enough. She pushed her chair out and stood up.

'Come on," she told Alice, "you're done, time for a nap."

"Yes I am tired. Should I work a bit longer so you have to carry me?"

"Would you like me to?"

'Yes please."

So with that Rowena scooped her up and carried her with Alice's arms round her neck out to the cot. Martha had pimped it and the plain covers were replaced with a pretty pink duvet, the sheets and pillow slips were matching yellow and there were some stuffed toys on the bed.

"Don't want to get your dress creased," Rowena told her turning her round to unzip her then slip her dress up, over the arms Alice obediently raised and slipping it onto a hanger. In just her bra and panties the painfully thin Alice lay down on the bed as Rowena pulled the covers up then sat on the bed stroking Alice's forehead and watching her as a mother would watch her sick child.

Alice was tired; she hadn't realized how tired she really was but it was hitting her now and she was glad she was tucked up in this wonderful bed.

She had come to adore Rowena and before she nodded off she looked up at her, smiled and said, "I love you."

She closed her eyes and, as a tear trickled slowly down Rowena's cheek, went off to sleep.

As before the two took turns sitting on the bed so Alice wasn't alone when she woke up. It was after one when she did wake, the lunchtime rush was over and just a few people in there till after the schools got out.

Martha it was who was with her when she did awaken. Martha went and got her dress off the hanger and got ready to slip it on her. As before Alice obediently raised her hands for the dress to be slipped on and stood, turning so Martha could make sure it hung just right. She got a hug and a kiss on the cheek from Martha too and came out with her to the counter where Rowena was serving a customer.

Rowena finished and Martha nudged her to indicate she would take over for now. Alice was standing just behind Rowena, she reached forward and stroked her arm. Rowena turned to her and smiled,

"Hi."

"Hi yourself, miss me?"

"Yeah, I got to sit with you a bit though, that was nice."

"Hey Alice," Martha called from a bit further along, here are my keys, I've got a few things for our lunch today in the trunk, you know where it is, the green one? Yeah, look just pop out the back door out there. Row can you show Alice? And if you could bring the things in and some of it needs warming in the microwave."

So Rowena showed Alice through the back door out to the car park and Alice brought in a substantial amount of food. Once it was in she locked the car, then the back door and set to warming, getting plates down and sorting out lunch. This was the first time she could remember in a long while that she was serving food for people she cared about. She found she was enjoying it and before long she had everything on the table.

She called the others in for lunch and Martha had them hold hands while she said grace. Then they ate. Alice had dished up big helpings for them and a tiny one for herself. Both watched her wanting to see her get her appetite back. She ate all she had and Martha put another smaller helping on her plate then gave her a wink. Alice managed that as well but now she was tired again.

Rowena waited for her to go to the bathroom and on her return held her arms out-It meant: it's time for bed for you do you want me to carry you?