Mrs Eloine

                                    

                                          
A strong light was hitting my eyes as I blinked them open. So much light...It couldn't be that late in the morning could it?
Slowly I turned my head to look at the old clock on the opposite wall. I readed 15 past 9.
I felt panic raising inside of me. The library should be open by now.
I got up as fast as I could only to fall back down on the mattress when I saw who was sitting at the small table with a cup in her hands: 
"Good morning" Mrs. Eloine said as she looked at me above her glasses.
"I suppose you slept well since you are still here?"she continued.
"Yes, I did" I said still trying to wrap my mind around what was happening.
"Come, sit with me my dear, have a cup of hot tea." she gestured towards the kettle.
She got no reply from me so she continued smiling.
"I always drink my tea alone since you leave before I get here everyday." 
This was to much for me to understand.
" You knew I was sleeping here?" I asked her with my wide eyes.
"Of course I knew. I see and hear everything in this library". She winked at me.
Wasn't that weird to hear from a seventy  years old lady? 
"But I have been always careful not to leave a track..." I said.
Mrs. Eloine looked at me with a knowing smile and said: 
"Who do you think left those fluffy covers on the arm chair every evening so you could use them? And the mattress you always hidding behind the last row at the back of the library because you think it's safe as no one is reading old war books...Oh dear! those are my favorites." 
I stared at her perplex . Was no point in denial so I put my head down and form an apology.
"I'm sorry, I..." 
" Don't be silly, I don't mind some company. With my son visiting me twice a year I get very lonely." 
I approached her table taking the cup that had already a  tea bag inside, and pour myself hot water. The smell of cranberry hit my nostrils making me take a sip with delight. 
In an instant warm spread through me and I relaxed in my seat. 
I looked at Mrs. Eloine to see what she was doing. Book after book were taken out from the box and signed down into the register. After a while she asked:
"Dear, can you put these books at B on the fiction section?" 
"Of course"I said and got up to help her.
I really liked Mrs. Eloine. I was feeling so comfortable around her. She didn't ask personal questions except my name and I could tell she wasn't one of those curious old ladies that had to know everything. I was thankful for that.
My morning passed like this from her table to the rows and back again .
At noon I was ready to leave.
" Dear, wait" she stopped me.
I turned around and looked at her with one eyebrow raised in question.
"You did a  good job today"
"Thankyou" I said
"You are really good with books and I thought why not helping me more often? In exchange of what you need, of course." she waited for my answer.
"Is this your way of offering me a job?"I smiled at her and she smiled back .
"Will you take it?" 
Will I take it? I needed money and I also needed this place.....And something in my gut told me I will need Mrs. Eloine too.
" I will" I said and made my way out.
This time I took the door... like a normal person would.
It felt good. To have someone that knows you exist. And the job was a blessing. I could finally earn some money without the fear of being exposed. I felt like this day was a good day. I took a deep breath. I was never more wrong.