Page 19 of Chasing Fireflies

“Oh, yeah?” I ask, trying to sound interested, trying to be normal.Just be normal today, Sara.

*

“Well, hello there.” I hear and look up from my label gun.

“Can I help you?” I ask the man with dirty blond hair.

“Maci around? Oh, wait,” he says, a creepy smile spreading across his face. “You must be Sara?”

I narrow my eyes. “Yes, and you are?”

“I’m Maci’s husband. Where is she?”

I look back when she comes around the corner. “Lucas,” she says and I catch the apprehension in her face. She clears her throat. “Sara, this is Lucas, my husband.”

“Nice to meet you,” I say.

“And you. Hey, you seeing somebody about those panic attacks? You know, Maci had ’em real bad—”

“Lucas,” she scowls. He looks at her as though she’s lost her mind.

“Don’t interrupt me when I’m talking,” he says hatefully.

“Is there something you need?” she asks, looking embarrassed. “Can we talk in the back?” He nods as she turns around and shoots me an apologetic look. I give her a small smile and look back at him as he follows her out.

*

“Pleasure meeting you, Sara,” Lucas says as he walks out of the library. I nod and look back at Maci.

“Sara, I’m so sorry for what he said earlier. I didn’t tell him that so he could mock you. I simply said it in a way of remembering when I had them. I didn’t know he would—”

“It’s okay, Maci,” I cut her off. “I know I haven’t known you long, but I know you meant no harm.” I look away for a moment and bite my lip. “Does he treat you like that often?” I ask, directing my eyes back to her.

“It’s just Lucas. He doesn’t mean anything by it. Are you finished with the labels?” she asks, brushing my question off.

“Yes.” I look down at the stack of books I’ve completed.

“Okay.” She sighs, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “You can call it a day if you want. There isn’t much more to do here.”

“Are you sure? I can stay.”

“Yeah, I’m probably going to leave soon also. It’s a slow day, and I feel a migraine coming on.” She rubs her temple and inhales a deep breath.

“All right,” I say, neatly arranging the books. “You should come to the cookout we’re having.”

“Okay, I just might do that.”

“We are living in the old house on Eighteenth,” I tell her as I head for the door.

“I’ll remember. Thanks, Sara.”

“Sure.” I walk out and then remember I have no ride. It’s earlier than I normally leave, so Cash is still at work. Maybe I can walk over to the office and see if he can give me a quick lift home. I step outside and run a hand through my hair. Squinting from the sunlight, I step out onto the sidewalk and make my way to the office. Passing by streetlamps and people who seem to have a permanent smile on their faces, I nod politely and wonder why everyone is so happy. I cross my arms as I walk and look around. I pass by a small bar and hear laughter and music flowing out of it. I keep going, making my way by a barbershop and some small boutiques. Baskets of fruit sit outside a local grocery store, and flowers hang down from the streetlamps in large flowerpots. It’s like Stars Hollow fromGilmore Girls.

*

I open the door to the chief’s office, and a little bell rings above my head.

“Hello,” a short, pretty lady says.

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