in the library stacks

 It was really happening, and a part of Henry thought he might lose it. Oh, it was hard to have Josie's faith that all would be well this summer with her oldest ten-year-old son Dylan staying with them. Never did he think this would haunt him until now. Henry always imagined Dylan would be where ever his adopted father was. But it had always been an open adoption. Didn't he remember?

Sure they saw Dylan occasionally. They celebrated the holidays with him usually a day before or after an actual holiday. Yet, the visits became fewer and fewer. And Dylan never called Josie on the phone. Maybe they hadn't called him enough either. But occasionally, they would go to one of his baseball games.

Henry didn't mean to be stressed. He was not supposed to be stressed. Of course, there was a computer lab and a Maker's Space to worry about in an old library that wasn't built all that well, to begin with. Naturally, he spent hours listening to patrons questioning him about why did the library need a new building. It was true, the regular patron never spent more than fifteen minutes here. Sure, it was great with a lot of character, but the bathrooms were bad, the electric wiring was horrid and a leaky roof didn't help much either.

Of course, he just smiled and kept going. What else could he do? He hoped the summer wouldn't be too crazy. At least, Josie hadn't mentioned any day trips or quick vacations. The library was short-handed as it was. Of course, there was always that fear of a bad aura surrounding him that might end up being a seizure. Granted, the epilepsy was practically gone. Maybe. 

But Josie was so certain his last big seizure had changed him. He was almost certain that would be the end of everything. He tried not to think about it now. After all, there were their two little ones with soccer practice and swimming lessons. They were always in a fuss about everything and now to add Dylan to the mix. It felt as if it might be too much. Yet, long ago, he'd imagined taking on this role. So, he needed that faith and it was somewhere in him to be a part of the family that Dylan needed. After all, Dylan didn't want to move with the only Dad he ever knew, and that dad had some drinking problems of his own after his divorce. Dylan liked it here and was looking forward to bunking with a four-year-old. 

Henry did his best to stop thinking about what this summer had in store for him. Only, the moment was quiet at the library and well, he would just do that walk around in the stacks. The library was almost in its last hour. 

Honestly, it was empty for the most part. The lady who needed help printing out her boarding pass had left. There was someone in the Young Adult area reading graphic novels and sipping coffee, but no one in MYSTERY, and the SCIENCE FICTION area was empty too. 

He strolled past the DVDs and CDBOOKS. Off to NONFICTION and there in the middle of it was someone laying on the carpet twitching.

Henry blinked. He felt as if he couldn't get to Mercer fast enough. He reached for his iPhone and called 911. This was the last thing he ever expected. He yelled that he'd called for an ambulance. It wasn't long until the blond teen from the Young Adult area came running. 

He was Mercer's friend. Cade said he'd never seen Mercer this way. It was like they were staring at a fish out of water.

"He'll be fine," Henry found himself saying. Although, he could be wrong. But he knew he had to remain positive.