Man from Library

Blog posts are to be short ~ when can I ever achieve that without breaking up thoughts into separate posts. The second thing that prompted me to get Internet at home was a man from library.

I had regular habits. At branch library at noon ~ to be first in line to get a computer. It is hit and miss how long you have to wait, even when arriving for change over at 1PM. I am a basically morning person ~ noon is too late for me ~ feel like day is already almost over. Main library does open at ten, but closed Sunday/Monday and involves bus ride. Have tried walking there and back or either/or. Not in good shape to walk that far anymore. Used to be a four mile walk was a breeze. No more.

Waiting one Monday at branch library, I noticed man staring at me. Ignored it, but made eye contact while I was counting number of people ~ did not think chances were good that day that everyone would be able to get one. He said, whatever, "Hi! How have you been? Have not seen you around in a while."

I search his face for a clue ~ who is he? I apologize for not recognizing him, "Where do I know you from?" I ask. He hesitates, shrugs and says "Around here," gesturing. Okay, I may have some memory loss, but I recognize all the regulars and know I have never seen this guy 'around here' previously. Yet, I ask, "Are you the one about the mystery books?".

"No, I am not an author," he says. I explain, about another patron, myself and another gal discussing good mystery novel authors. I knew this man was not him ~ just checking my memory when I asked.

We had brief conversation, waiting upon doors to open, about chances of getting a computer. He did not seem like someone who knew much about Long Beach libraries. The man later startles me tapping me on the shoulder telling me he will be 'up front'. And? Well I already know. I do not head out when done with computer, browsing shelves. Man approaches, tells me he would wait for me to give me a ride home, but has to be somewhere.

Oh, kay. Next week I decide to go later ~ due to long line and anticipating that man being there. I am logging in for wait computer wait list ~ tap, tap, "Hi, come talk to me when you are done," man tells me. I have a 20 min. wait for a computer, will be using it for allotted hr. ~ 'come talk to me when you are done'??? And yes he was still there when I was done, notice him dwadling by check out desk.

Had not planned to check out any books that day, but browsed and did so. He is still there. We are leaving together, but I head for ladies room and now my turn to dwadle. He is outside; offers to give me ride home. I tell him no thank you, nice day, planned to walk and blah, blah, blah. He stands there all hangdog looking. I say, "I hope you did not wait here for me," and he says, "Well, yes I did."

Bottom line; next week I go to library even later and he is there waiting for me. WTF. His story: my age give or take a year or two; never been married, wants to try it 'one of these days' (well, buddy, maybe instead of trying to pick up females at library, you need to be at a Singles mixer...), drives his bosses car, born/raised in Long Beach, does not know how to get ot Main library...

I go 'round the block to Main library from bus stop to avoid seeing homeless men I know. Or homeless men I do not know. L is one of them ~ how many times and how many ways can a woman say "Not interested," before men like L will realize: Oh, she is not interested. Many of these men were friends of a sort on the streets, but I can not ask them to visit ~ tho' I would enjoy giving them respite from the streets. The guys I know do not understand: Platonic.

So man from library was what spurned me into taking action to get internet at home.