I ran inside and called out, “Momma, come look! There’s a strange bus that just parked in the clearing and some people are coming out.”
“Go put on your sandals and wash your hands,” Momma told me, while looking out the window. “When you’re done, we’ll walk over together. I think you’ll like what you find inside.”
I quickly found my sandals and washed my outside-dirty hands. We walked over to the clearing, then Momma began talking to the man and woman who had gotten off the bus. I could tell they were both what momma had called professionals, just by the way they dressed. The man, who was just a bit shorter and definitely heavier than his tall and thin companion, wore a grey uniform with a cap that sat snuggly on what looked to be a balding head. The lady wore a grey-blue dress, too nice for stay-at-home, but not quite Sunday-best, and sensible grey-black shoes; a pair of glasses, suspended from a silver chain around her neck, laid flat against her chest.
I tried to stand still and quiet while waiting to be introduced, but the bus was just too interesting and couldn’t be ignored. It was larger than other buses I’d seen and was windowless, except for the ones up front. Written on the side were some unfamiliar words and I began to softly sound them out, “Pu-las-ki-co-un-ty-bo-ok-mo-bi-le. What’s that mean, Momma? Did I say it right?”
The three grownups looked down at me and I felt myself cringe within, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have interrupted,” I sputtered. Children were meant to be seen, not heard was a rule I rarely broke.
Momma just smiled, ignoring my transgression, “It’s pronounced ‘Pulaski County Bookmobile.’ Don’t forget to introduce yourself before you go inside. This is Miss Tome, the Bookmobile’s librarian, and the driver, Mr. Helm.”
“It’s nice meeting you Miss Tome and you too, Mr. Helm. I’m Kathy,” and shook their hands, as I had been taught it was polite to do. “Can I pleeeze go inside now?” As one, they nodded yes.
I tripped up the too-tall steps, looked around, then ran back out. “It’s full books, Momma! A library that’s on wheels! Are they staying here all summer?” Before she had a chance to answer I ran back in and began exploring my unexpected bounty.
Although I was only almost seven, I had long before discovered how the letters on a page could magically be transformed to words that came together and formed stories, like the ones I found in books. I’d even seen how the words of my favorite story, Cinderella, could become a cartoon or even the enchanting TV-movie filled with song and graceful dance. But most importantly, those same letters could open a window and lead me away from the realities of my rigid rural home.
“You’ve never heard of a Bookmobile, have you Kathy?” Miss Tome asked, and I shook my head no. “While your mom is busy looking, I’ll explain what we do and where you can find the books most suitable for your age.”
“But …” I interrupted.
“Let me finish talking,” she chided, “you can ask me questions when I’m done.”
“I-I’m sorry,” I stammered, feeling my cheeks flush bright red.
“Apology accepted. Now can you tell me what grade you’ll be in?”
“I’ll be in second grade, and next week I’ll be seven.”
“Thank you, Kathy. You were correct when you described us as a library on wheels. There are many families, just like yours, who live too far from regular libraries, so Mr. Helm and I travel around the county, so everyone has the opportunity they normally might not have. Each family member is allowed two books; when we return all books must be given back in good condition. If you damaged or lose a book, your parents could be fined. Any questions?”
I looked at Momma and blurted out, “Since the twins are only three can I have theirs? And since Daddy only likes his bible and the newspaper, shouldn’t you get four?”
Miss Tome kind-of smiled and pointed toward a shelf, “The books on the two bottom rows are proper for your age.” She then picked up Bible Stories for Beginning Readers and added, “I think this would be a good first choice.”
“No thank you, I’ve had that one since I was only three or four. Please, can I look at the older kids’ books? I’m all advanced, at school I even have a special permission to read the books that go up all the way to fifth grade. I even have a dictionary, Santa brought it last Christmas Eve. Now I can look up any words I don’t know.”
“It’s true,” Momma added, “when she was around two she began reading stories on her own.”
Miss Tome nodded, “Go ahead and pick any six, but only from this shelf. Later we’ll make sure they’re appropriate for your age.”
I quickly found six books with the type of stories I liked most, where animals were the stars. But I continued my explorations and changed my six more often than I could count. When Momma and Miss Tome stepped outside to smoke, I took the opportunity to look beyond my designated shelf. One book in particular looked interesting, but I already had my six.
“Kathy hurry up, we need to get home before Auntie bring your sisters back.”
“Momma, you only got three books. Can I pleeeze get one more?”
“I don’t know, I saw a book of scriptures I thought your dad might like.”
“Pleeeeeze Momma, I already know which one I want.” Momma pursed her lips, it kinda looked like she was about to laugh and nodded yes. Before she could change her mind, I put the book I’d been looking at on the bottom of my stack and hoped the librarian wouldn’t notice it was from outside my designation.
“Set your books here, so I can check them out,” Miss Tome pointed toward a small desk by the back-door steps. She put on the glasses that had hung suspended, flicked on a small fan, and took her seat, then began stamping our ten allotted books. When she finally reached the last book I’d chosen, I heard both her and Momma sigh.
“You need to find a different book,” Momma sighed again. “Neither your father, nor the reverend would approve of you having this book to read.” I knew better than to argue or even to ask why, I had no wish to face the reverends disapproval or worse, my father’s ire. But why wasn’t The Unabridged Folke and Fairey Tales of Brothers Grimm appropriate? Wasn’t it just the stories I already knew?
When will I be old enough to read any book I want?
I reluctantly grabbed a book I knew Daddy would permit since it was full of stories found in the Old Testament but written in a fashion for kids that were older. Ms. Tomes nodded her approval and stamped my newest final choice, then stood and offered me her hand, “It was nice meeting you Kathy, we’ll mail your mom a postcard to let her know when we’ll be back. We’re all done now, enjoy your summer reading.”
I shook her hand, “Thank you for all your help Miss Tome, and please thank Mr. Helm for driving the Bookmobile to me.”
I grabbed my newfound treasures and ran straight to my upper bunk, in the bedroom I shared with Jennie and JoAnne. I stacked them next to my bibles and the precious dictionary on the corner of my bed, then I picked up the one on top and opened up the window to a different world.
Author: Kathy McKnight
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