The Ballad of Ami Miles by Kristy Dallas Alley

Author:Kristy Dallas Alley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Sixteen

A long, low, rumble woke me that next morning, thunder so deep it seemed to rattle my bones. Rain was blowing into the open window, and I hurried over to shut it. “So much for garden work this morning,” I said out loud. I didn’t talk to myself as much as I used to now that I had real friends to talk to, but old habits were hard to break. As much as I hated to admit it, I’d been hoping Jessie would be assigned to garden beds again today, even though I knew the regular rotations only lasted a day. Would she switch with someone to see me? I wondered, and then, Why would she do that? I had to get out of that room! I got myself dressed and wandered downstairs to breakfast.

It was early, and there weren’t many people eating yet. I guessed the rain gave folks a welcome excuse to sleep late, or at least lie around in bed longer than they usually could. I ate by myself and didn’t mind it. I picked a seat close to the big windows across the back of the room and watched the rain beat against the glass. The sky was dark, and I could see trees bending and blowing in the wind, but that somehow made it feel even more safe and cozy to be inside with a warm bowl of oats sprinkled with nuts and berries. I took my time eating and watching the rain, and when it didn’t let up, I decided to check out the library Jessie had told me about. I needed something to read if I was going to be stuck inside all day, and I was curious about all those other books she had mentioned reading in their little school.

I walked around until I found where the library had been set up in a row of smaller rooms along one side of the big window room. The entrance was just a little nook with a desk and rows of old wooden cabinets full of little tiny drawers, and there was a woman there.

“I—Is this the library?” I asked, even though I knew dang well the sign I’d just passed said LIBRARY in big ol’ letters. I just didn’t know what else to say.

“It sure is,” the woman said kindly, “and I’m the librarian. You can call me Miss Jean.” I nodded, feeling a little more comfortable. There was something about her that made me feel like I was welcome to be there, and I realized that was the opposite of what I’d expected for some reason.

“Yes, ma’am,” I said. “I’ve heard of you. From the other kids, you know.” I mumbled that last part, trailing off. I wasn’t getting any better at talking to new people.

“Well,” she said, “it’s good to know my fame precedes me!” She winked at me like I was in on the joke. “Why don’t I give you a little tour; would you like that?” I nodded and she started off through a doorway behind her.

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