The+Final+Gift

// The Final Gift // The lights slowly buzzed on. Nora made a mental note to check the electricity bill. She placed her coffee in the middle of the desk far from any papers as to keep from spilling. Throughout her years as a librarian, Nora had grown accustomed to worrying about damaging books. She took off her coat, scarf, gloves, and hat. As she peeled off her sweater, she thought for a moment and then reconsidered. The heating bill was late again. The sprawl of everyday life could be compared to that of a graveyard: dead. In its glory days, the library had once been the center of life in the small town ofKenosha. There was never a day when the library wasn’t packed and Nora watched her grandfather apologies to disappointed customers. “I’m sorry but that book is checked out. I could put you on the waiting list. You’d be number 15.” Grandpa would offer. Back then, it seemed like there were never enough books for people; but nowadays, books live untouched without the affect6ion they unquenchably yearn for. Where has everyone gone? With television and the government developing a new library, the Englebird Library would soon cease to exist. The few books that did receive some attention, Nora had wished did not. Nora was carrying a stack of books with torn edges, mysterious stains, and ripped bindings when she pastEugene. Besides the reckless kids who came to the library simply because they lived a block away,Eugene was the sole, loyal customer.Eugene first came to the Library when he was a little boy and Nora’s great-grandfather was running it. “Another stack of them? You really ought to consider hiring a book repairman, Nora,” remarkedEugene. “You know the Library can’t afford it,Eugene. Besides I’m sure I can fix them myself.” “Your father would be so proud of you to see how hard you word for this library. In fact, the entire Englebird family would be!” “Proud to see that I lost their library? The government won’t give me any money because this is a family owned library and they’re starting their own. The banks won’t loan me any more money and I’m running out of savings. I don’t know how much longer I can keep holding on.” With that, Nora went to work on the books. Eugene looked down at the book in his hands; __A Tale of Two Cities__ was his favorite. “Just keep on a little while longer, Nora.” Everyday was about the same. Nora would come to the Library and find some bill that couldn’t wait another month. There was always something that needed fixing, something that needed to be paid, someone calling about her late payments. The only reassuring aspect that was always there was Eugene. Everyday he sat at the same char. Everyday he picked up __A Tale of Two Cities__. And everyday he fell asleep before he could get decently into it. He had told her once that he read it when he was young and he had always wished of rereading it, if only he could. Everyday he offered her some sweet form of solace and Nora believed he loved this library even more than she did. Nora walked into the Library. She walked to the drinking fountain after burning her tongue with her coffee. No water, another late bill. Frustrated she made her way to her desk and settled. It’s just another day at the library. “’MorningEugene,” Nora casually greeted as she walked by his chair while carrying some books that needed reshelving. “Eugene?” She turned back to inspect the chair, but it was empty. Well that was odd. It’s 11:00.Eugene was always here by 10:45. Maybe he is running late? It did blizzard last night. ButEugene had never been late before. Nora tried not to think about Eugene’s absence as she continued with her day. After all, it wasn’t like Eugene worked at the Library; he wasn’t required to be here everyday. Still, his absence was odd and, despite her attempts, it puzzled her. Nora was yet again surprised as Eugene still didn’t show up the next day and the next day and the next day. A week had gone by and still there was noEugene. What had happened? Nora had begun to worry but she realized she knew of no way to contact him. The more she thought of it, the more she realized she didn’t know where he lived or even if he had any family except for one distant grandson, Nathaniel. Every time Nora had spoken toEugene they always talked about the library and Nora had never been considerate to ask of his own relations, except for one time. “Eugene, why don’t you ever bring someone with you here?” I’m sure you’re not the only one in your family that enjoys books.” Nora had questioned one day when she spiedEugene eyeing a family reading together in the Children’s section. “Oh I’m not. My Nathaniel adores books even more than I do.”Eugene replied without looking away from the family. “Nathaniel?” <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“He’s my grandson. You’d like him. He’s a librarian, too!” <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“Well, you ought to bring him sometime.” <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“Oh no he… he doesn’t visit.” and with that,Eugeneturned back to his book. He never said anymore about his mysterious Nathaniel. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Ring, the bell announced a new customer and brought Nora back to reality. Who is he? Nora had never seen him around at the Library before. He looked groggy and was hunched over like the entire world was weighing him down. And there were bags under his eyes from obvious lack of sleep. Still, he looked handsome. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“Can I help you?” The man was reeking of desperation. Any form of help seemed to be able to do wonders for him. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“Yes, I need one book but I don’t have a card here so I suppose I should sign up for one first.” Even though he looked like a mess, his voice was somehow strong and gave way to a simple kindness about him. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“Of course. Well, here’s the form. Do you know what book you’re looking for? I can search for it while you’re filling this out.” <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“Yeah umm… __A Tale of Two Cities__ by Charles Dickens please.” Nora brought backEugene’s book. Well it wasn’t reallyEugene’s. Anybody could be a fan of Dickens. Nora took a look at the completed form. What were the odds? <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“Mr. Fairmont, is your full first name Nathaniel?” <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“Yea, sorry. I thought it’d be fine if I just wrote Nate. I’ll fix it.” <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“Oh no Nate is fine. It’s just… well… is your grandfather, by any chance, namedEugene?” <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“Yes? How did you—” But Nate never got to finish his question. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“I know this must be weird for you and I realize this is a personal question but what happened to him? He comes here everyday and I haven’t seen him in a week! And I knew thatEugenewould never miss coming to the Library unless it was an emergency or he couldn’t help it. He’s never missed a day in my whole experience at the Library! So where is he?” It all came out before Nora could stop herself and she regretted how desperate her voice betrayed her. Nate just stood there staring at her and she thought that he might not answer. But then he looked down at the book he held tightly in his hands. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“He had a heart attack. I’m the only family he has left, so I moved here to look after him. After his heart attack, the doctor asked to keep him in the hospital. He’s really weak and the doctor said that he might not…” Nate’s voice just drifted away as if even his mouth didn’t want to say what his mind was afraid to think. “Anyways, I was visiting him yesterday and he asked me to come here and get any book for him. I remember he read me this book a long time ago. Excuse me.” Tears were wallowing in his eyes and he left the Library and Nora looked out the window to see his car turn down the road for downtown, on his way to the hospital. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“…and I hear him tell the children my story, with a tender and a faltering voice. ‘It is a far far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.’ The End.” Tears were falling down the curves of Nate’s cheek as he struggled with the final words of the classic. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“You finished it.” Suddenly all eyes were on Nora as she entered the hospital room. “Sorry to intrude. You forgot your library card the other day.” With a look atEugene, Nora felt herself choke up as well. She made her way to his side. “Eugene.” He looked so frail and weak, as if breathing alone was too intricate a task for him to do subconsciously. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“What about the Library?”Eugene’s voice was raspy and tired. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“That’s hardly important right now. I’m giving up on it anyways.” <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“No!” Pulling Nate close,Eugenewhispered something inaudible into his ear. “Just keep on for a little while longer.”Eugenewas fading. It seemed to take so much energy to finish this one sentence, energy that he no longer possessed. For Nora, it felt like hours forEugeneto slowly finish saying each word. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“ButEugene—” But it was too late. He was one. “Eugene!” Nora sobbed. He couldn’t be gone! He was just here.Eugenewas a mark in Nora’s mind that was as permanent as the books in her library, something that would always be there, something that would never die. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“I feel… it’s sad that I never really knew him well. I regret leaving him and only knowing him for this one week. But in this week, I’ve come to love him.” Nate said as he pulled Nora comfortingly away fromEugene. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“Well you fulfilled his final wish. He had always wanted to read that story again.” <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">“No. His final wish was that the library survives. And that was his final gift to you.” Nate took outEugene’s will in whichEugenegave all of his money to Englebird Library. “And maybe… you’ll need a helper?”