Months after my 37-year-old husband dies, I discover the borrowed Vivaldi album tucked among our other LPs. Since college, a forgotten library item has often haunted my dreams. An overdue fine I can’t afford, a degree held hostage, my name on someone’s blacklist. At the Returns desk, I push the record across the counter with trembling fingers. I just found this. It’s months overdue. Words catch in my throat. My husband died. The librarian’s eyes soften. Don’t worry; it’s here now. There’s no charge. I’m so very sorry. A small act of kindness, a small easing of my terrible grief.
Karen Zey is a Canadian writer from la belle ville de Pointe-Claire, Quebec. She leads the Circle of Life Writers workshops at her community library. Find Karen at www.karenzey.com and on Twitter @zippyzey.