Joseph sat in the library, his safety from the cruel, depressing world, hoping to save himself from the emptiness awaiting him at home.
The James Patterson novel "Kiss the Girls" lay closed on the table. He tried to read the novel filled with the suspense he loved several times, but two or three paragraphs into the story he'd realize his eyes and his mind were not connecting, the words were seen clearly, but they were not registering into actual pictures in his mind. On the second attempt he'd read an entire chapter, only to realize at the start of the second chapter that he didn't have any clue to what was going on in the story.
The lack of concentration was not normal for Joseph. Usually he could get all he wanted to do done with plenty of time to spare. His homework, reading, even his own soothing poetry could all be done at the library. It was his refuge from the world he feared and disliked, and it was just two short blocks from the place he called home. It was his second home where no abuse came. All his best memories came in the cool, book smelling place. From the time when he was five years old until now at the age of nineteen, it always provided magic.
Joseph picked up "Kiss the Girls" once more, but didn't bother to read it. He opened the book because he didn't want to appear crazy. For the past ten minutes he had been staring aimlessly into space and in his mind, that was crazy. It was better to appear busy then it was to look crazy, he learned that truth long ago, so he pretended to read the book.
The library was divided into three sections. One was for checking out the books and returning them. There were also chess boards set up there once upon a time, but those days were gone. The front doors were also located at this sections and so were the computers, in place of the chess boards. The second section was the book area, where the fiction mingled with the non-fiction and the poor magazines were set apart at the outskirts of the section being the outcasts they were. The third section was for the readers. Desks fit for five people or desks with walls for privacy fit for one were divided into two sections within this section to make everyone happy. Joseph usually sat alone, but none of the private desks remained, so today he sat at the big tables. No privacy. And even though he was alone, there was no guarantee it would remain.
"You don't mind if I sit here," a voice called out. It startled Joseph. His own voice locked.
"Do you?" The voice called again.
Joseph's eyes glanced up from his book and set on the source of the voice. The voice belonged to a woman of about forty. She had an intense looking face, brown eyes surrounded by blue eye shadow, dark red lips, a white complexion and grass green hair. Gold spiders hang from her ears. She had a nose ring. Dark, bat shaped eyebrows and spider leg eye lashes. She was wearing small, tight leather shorts and a leather top with red heels.
"Hard of hearing," she guessed.
"Sorry," Joseph said, "I got caught in your look for a moment." Even though he was depressed and felt unwelcome around most people, he was never lost in a conversation.
"Glad you like it," she said. "May I sit."
"Knock yourself out."
She took that as a yes and sat down. At first the strange woman and Joseph shared the silence. The woman was reading a letter or something on a piece of paper. Joseph would watch every once in a while.
"The name's Kitty," she said suddenly. "My damn chickenshit employee quit. Wrote me a bye letter."
"What business you in?" he wondered aloud.
Kitty, this strange woman, was quiet for a the moment. "I am really glad you asked me that one, Joseph. I am in the photography and movie business and hope to very successful some day."
Joseph was sure his ears had deceived him. How could this woman know his name any other way. He never mentioned it. His flesh was prickling, hairs on his body stood tall. He was confused and a bit frightened.
"How did you know my name?"
Kitty smiled. "I am in the pornography business, my dear. I am trying to start a new website, but I lost my original man. I've been following you for sometime now and I think you are my replacement."
