Mr. Linden came into town on the coldest day of the year, when yesterday’s rain turned to today’s ice and the wind seemed like one’s most bitter enemy. He brought with him a transportable library. To be more precise it was a big maroon van with the words Lorady Linden’s Living Library painted on the side in big yellow letters. The interior of the van was lined with books secured to the walls and stacks covering the floor. There was hardly any room for a person to stand in that van and Mr. Linden seemed proud of that fact.

He parked his van right next to the town’s own library and opening all the doors set up a table and chair, he had removed from the empty passenger seat, next to his van. At first no one would approach him for a strange man with a van was not something you willingly engaged with, as most would know. But courageous little Kitty Purrow could not contain her curiosity and she soon went up to Mr. Linden to see his strange library.

“Hello,” she said exuding bold confidence.

“Salutations,” he replied smartly.

“Salutations? What does that mean? What are you doing here in front of the library?”

“Salutations is said as a greeting or acknowledgment of another’s arrival or departure, and I am lending books to those who wish to borrow a few.” Kitty pursed her lips in thought and announce, as she felt mildly talked down to,

“I was just testing you. I know what salutations means, and I can read. I know what a library is. I meant, what’re you doing here in front of the town library? Isn’t it silly to have a library in front of a library?” she told him with a confident chuckle practically thrusting her nose into the air.

“I see. You must be a very intelligent and well-read young lady. However, I imagine it is only superfluous if both libraries have the same books. I have brought rare books from all over the world to offer the town something new.” Kitty scrunched up her face as he had used another word she did not know. However, being a proud ten year old she would not ask for the meaning of more than one word per conversation.

“Well I’ll borrow a book then,” She told Mr. Linden as if it was his honor.

“All right. Is there anything you would like in particular?”

“Not really,” she sighed grandiosely. “I’ll just look around a bit.” With that she stuck her head into the van’s interior. Slowly she edged her way deeper and deeper into Mr. Linden’s library till she was crawling through stacks of books. Suddenly she heard a rustling sound from the front of the van. Startled she turned quickly knocking over a stack of books in the process.

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There was nothing there, and peeking out the back of the van Kitty saw Mr. Linden was still sitting in his chair. Turning back to where she heard the sound come from, she slowly made her way over. It was darker in that part of the van as less light could reach from the open doors, so Kitty had to get very close to the books to even see their titles. Seeing nothing unusual Kitty was about to turn back then a book caught her eye. It was a rustic green hardback with a cover that appeared to be made of fabric. The only thing on the book was the title, Ivy, in gold lettering. The mystery of the book was bewitching and Kitty had to read it. Having made her decision she began to make her way back to the door of the van.

Seeing Kitty immerge Mr. Linden put down the book he was reading and asked Kitty, “decided on a book have we?”

“Yes” Kitty replied proudly placing the book on Mr. Linden’s table for him to see. When he saw the book his face darkened.

“Where did you get that?” he asked harshly.

“Off the back shelf,” Kitty replied meekly in fright. Mr. Linden thought for a moment then asked,

“are you sure you want this book?”

“Yes.”

“All right but you may only check it out for three days.” He said holding up three fingers. “Please sign your name here, and wright the name of the book here,” he said showing her a notebook he seemed to produce from nowhere. Kitty quickly wrote her name and the book title. Taking the record book back Mr. Linden looked down his nose to read her name.

“Now Ms. Purrow, I only have one rule. You must never leave that book open. Do you understand? When you’re not reading it, this book absolutely must remain closed.” He told her earnestly. Kitty nodded her head in understanding and went on home. Mr. Linden sat down in his chair and watched her go, the wind bitterly biting at him. Muttering to himself,

“how long has it been since someone checked out Ivy?”