Mary

Can you pull into starbucks? I want a coffee.

Walter rolled his eyes, but not really annoyed. He just felt this was only because Mary saw the building. Like passing a tray of cookies.

Mary

You happy with what you got done?

Walter

Yup, I already received the grade online. 78, I’ll take it.

Mary

78? How long were you working for?

Walter

Was up all night. A few hours. Just had to get it done.

Mary

Wait, you said you went to the library though.

Walter

I did, but didn't get much done.

Mary

Really? You drove all the way in and nothing? What did you do?

Walter

Explored a bit. Place was massive, and beautiful. Didn't have much time or focus left once I got settled. All good though. Have you seen it?

Mary

Oh, I've never been there but I've seen a picture or two. Very old building right? Yeah, pretty. Old buildings are like that.

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Walter

Even went down to the basement stacks. They remind me of speak-easys, or old wine cellars. Lots of brick. And Filled in windows and doors.

Mary

What do you mean?

Walt

Like where old windows and doors were filled with brick. You can see the outline of them still.

Mary

In the basement?

Walk

Uh, yeah.

Mary

Oh, cool.

Walt

Right? I don't know, I like that stuff. I’ll go back for the last paper as well, but hopefully allocate my time better.

Mary smiled with endearing ridicule. “So funny, such a dork.”

Walter

Ha, yeah I guess.

She had a way of completely shutting down a topic he was interested in while simultaneously reminding him of why he adored her. A few years of living together allowed those things to happen smoothly. He’s always appreciated how she accepts the “nerdy” side of him.

Later that night he lay awake. No anxiety, just not tired. He thought about dinner with Mary and how happy he was that they were getting Married next year. Everything was simple with her. But not necessarily easy, if differences arose between them they were addressed directly. Stern, but reasonable, both of them.

He also thought it was exciting to only have one paper left. And he’d be able to wrap up these classes, apply for a raise, and move on with more time to himself. This got him thinking about his next trip to the library and finishing things up. He could walk around again and admire the old building. What a work of art it was. Maybe see more of the upper levels instead of the basement, with that boarded up with brick type construction.

He remembered Mary asking about the basement in the car. He didn't think much of the question at the time. Now he did. And of course Mary probably thought more of this when they were speaking, but could care less now. Another thing about her that seemed so opposite of him, yet worked perfectly. He had to go down quite the flight of stairs to get to those stacks, maybe two. Now it seemed fitting for her to ask.

But the building is old, he thought. Like, fascinating old. Not just date-old. I wonder how old. Since sleep was nowhere near, he went to his office.

He looked up photos of the Library but somewhere in his browsing he realized there was another library there beforehand.

This made him visualize an old brick building that was on its way out. Maybe a small newspaper blurb about a new architect coming in and deciding the city deserved better. Or articles rejoicing in the fact that the city could be the regional hub of education and learning with this new magnificent library. But it isn't what he saw.

“And I thought this building was old,” He whispered to himself as he scrolled from one historical image to the next.

It is known as the “Botham Classic Library.” Whereas way back then it was known as the current one is now, The Botham Public Library. The classic library dwarfed the current library In almost every way. Higher ceilings with murals, like Davinci. The glass windows seemed to rise another story, fountains with immaculate stone carvings of lions and men battling, and on the roof, bell towers which at that point in the city would surely be the most skyward.

He realized he was going to need a little more time during his next trip.