The Patrons You Never Forget

Journaling 7*

When you’ve worked in the same library branch long enough, you start recognizing patrons as soon as they walk in. Since I don’t see well from far away, I often recognize people by their figure, posture, or even their smell.

You might not believe it—or maybe you would—but some people come in with a very strong smell of alcohol. There was one pair in particular, a mother and her son, who always carried that strong scent.

I especially remember the son. He visited the library for several days in a row about a year ago. I remembered him because once he said, “Every time I get out of prison, I go to the library.” I couldn’t stop smiling that day; he just made my day.

So here he was again, this time with his mother. She checked out a book, and then they left, leaving the strong smell of alcohol lingering in the building.

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