Odd Birds Book Blog Tour and #Giveaway #LoneStarLit

Excerpt from Chapter One of

Odd Birds by Severo Perez

The Library’s second-story rear windows looked out from above the loading dock. Dr. Edwin Samuels, director of the library, stood in his office gazing at the bridge and what he could see of the river. A six car parking lot, the river’s retaining walls and a six-foot chain-link fence, hid the river’s landscaped walkways directly behind the library. Only the occasional cypress trees rose above the wall. He could see the Presa Street bridge, and a glimpse of the river down the next block.

Samuels suppressed a guilty laugh on seeing Ruthann Medlin bolt from the man in the Panama hat as if she’d been startled by a rattlesnake.

He waited at the window until three sharp knocks at the door straightened his spine. Ruthann leaned into the room. “Virgil said you wanted to see me?”

“Leave the door open. Have a seat.” Samuels looked at the clock. “I have a few things I want to go over with you.”

“Like?” she asked. Ruthann appeared every inch a librarian in her tweed suit, reading glasses on a gold chain, and sensible shoes. She focused her eyes on him

Samuels’ boyish face and prematurely grey hair made his age anywhere between thirty-five and fifty. Ruthann noted his solid maroon bow tie, and his blue and white striped dress shirt.            “Who dresses like that?” she whispered to herself.

Samuels didn’t return her stare.

“Ruthann, the library board has approved new policy, and I’m implementing changes as of today for new staff, and on May 8^th for all patrons.”

“New staff? What new staff? What kind of weasel things are you up to? Why didn’t I learn of this before?”

“Please… Ruthann, you’re being insubordinate. Don’t make this more difficult than it has to be.”

“How did Mayor Forester vote? I saw him this weekend and he didn’t say a word.”

“Your uncle’s vote made it unanimous. Ruthann, since I’m aware of your sentiments, I’ve asked the board to allow me to tell you their decision myself. The city can’t use taxpayers’ money for legal fees to deny taxpayers their city services. Last summer lunch counters in all the downtown businesses integrated. The swimming pools were opened to all, with no problems. This summer the main library and branches will be open to all qualified residents. The board has set Monday, May 8^th. I want every librarian, assistants, and pages to know this is happening, and I expect everyone to comply with policy.”

“They’re going to regret this.” Ruthann’s face reddened.

“Ruthann, you don’t have a say in this. What I want to know is will you comply with the new policies, or no? What’s it going to be?”

“I don’t believe the coloreds have a right to use this library. They have their own.” Ruthann cocked her head, affirming her point.

“I’m not going to debate this with you,” Samuels snapped. “It’s been settled. What will it be? Yes, or no?”

“Don’t you dare raise your voice to me.” Ruthann stood. “I can get you fired. I’ve been here from the opening of this building. I’ve seen directors come and go.”

“I don’t want to fight with you. And yes, perhaps you could have gotten me fired if I hadn’t gotten a contract. The mayor and the board want me to operate the library as a resource for the community—the whole community.”

“What about the position of head librarian? I have seniority.”

“I haven’t decided. As of this moment all positions remain as they are. Jane Jenkins is still the head of the children’s room. Ilene Fischer is the reference, non-fiction, and special collections librarian. You’re still the head of the art and music department, and still in charge of training and supervising the pages. And, the new hires start today.”

“Today! No! There’s been a big screw up. The names at the top of my list have not been informed they were hired.”

“That’s because they weren’t hired.”

“You saw their applications. They’re all qualified.”

“The library board agreed with me that all new hires must be selected from the top scores on the general aptitude test given by the Texas Employment Commission. Starting this week and next, we’re going to have busloads of patrons coming from the military bases. I’m bringing in extra help. These young people are smart, and more importantly, they’ve demonstrated to me they know how to use a library.”

“I never had to take a test! We’ve run this library just fine before you got your sorry butt installed here.”

“I’ll make a note of that remark. I know your tenure goes back to the opening of this building, today a librarian needs a degree in library science. Ruthann, the new hires I told you about will be reporting at 9:00 a.m. Perhaps you should prepare.”

“I’ll give your changes a try.” Ruthann stared back.

“Ruthann, this is not a tryout. This is library policy.”

She grabbed her purse “They’re going to regret this,” Ruthann muttered as she left the room.

“What was that?” called Samuels.

“I said, I’m getting on this.”