Tabby leaned against the heavy door. Stepping inside, she took in the quiet, like a cool wash of rain on a hot day.
She padded to the children’s section. Most of the books were well-used. Running her finger along the spines, she found one she hadn’t read. She took it to a corner filled with beanbag chairs.
Legs crossed, Tabby plopped into a chair, taking delight in the fanciful cover.
As she began to read, everything else fell away. For just a while, she could go into a world where no one would hurt her.
*********************
I want to apologize for my limited participation last week. I usually read every post. Not this time. I think I read the first five. It was just a very busy week, lots of interruptions, and then I caught a nasty cold–no, not THE PLAGUE–and just couldn’t keep up. I’m looking forward to the stories this week. It’s a prompt that could go in so many different directions!
Just Writing! 
So much story left untold here! My heart aches for children that have to run away to safe places. And you’re right: this photo should give a variety of responses. Someone may even do a Dr Seuss clone. 🙂
Sorry to hear you were under the weather last week. Were you blasted by that East coast blizzard?
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We got some deep cold, for here, but not much snow. The worst here is the icy slush that can freeze into black ice on the roads. Salt trucks were out, and everything is cleaned up now.
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This started off on such a lovely note. How heartbreaking for her (though how lovely she is able to escape for just a little while).
No need to apologize. It happens to the best of us! Hopefully you are feeling back to your good self!
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Thanks, Dale. I am better, still not 100%, but thankful it’s just a cold.
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I am thankful as well!
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Books are portals, aren’t they?
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Oh, yes. Indeed they are!
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❤ ❤ ❤ Exquisite magic weaving, Linda.
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Thank you. That’s a lovely compliment.
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You’re welcome.
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A safe refuge… At least she has that. That end is chilling.
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I didn’t know how it was going to end until I got there!
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There is comfort to be found in escaping with a good book.
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Yes, so much comfort. Thanks, Iain.
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First, sorry you’re sick, and hope you’re feeling better this week. 🙂 I love this story, reminds me of why I loved the library, and books so very much.
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Thanks, Bear. I think I’m coming out the other side with my cold, but it turned out worse than I thought it would. A typical winter cold 🙂
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I can finally breath again! YEAH!
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It is very sad about her circumstances but reading can provide such a welcome therapy
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Poor child has nowhere else to go.
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I know the feeling. Love getting lost in a well written story.
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Thanks, Danny. I know what. you mean.
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A wonderful little story about how some of us can escape. Nicely done.
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Thanks, Bill.
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That’s beautifully written, Linda. You give us such a tranquil picture of Tabby reading, and then thump us with those last six devastating words. And when I read again, I see ‘she took in the quiet’, which hints that quiet wasn’t usually what she felt; and ‘She padded’, which gives an air of stealth and the need not to be noticed. Lovely, pitch-perfect construction; Kudos!
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Penny, thanks so much. Yes, strong words can convey a great deal.
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A lovely story of a place of refuge and escape, if only for a short time. Well done, Linda.
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Thanks, Keith.
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Dear Linda,
Tabby reminds me of another little girl who could lose herself in a book. 😉 Nicely done. Subtle yet powerful.
I understand about busy week. I’m having one of those, too.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle.
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Wonderful, the healing power of reading books.
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Since before I could actually read, I found books soothing. Learning to read was like crossing into a magic place.
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I’m glad Tabby has one refuge from her difficult world. Books are a great source of comfort.
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Yes, Thanks, Jilly.
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gateway to freedom
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Thank you.
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Poor little Tabby – at least she can lose herself for a while.
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For so many, books can be an escape from their personal pain.
Your story unfolded gracefully leaving us with feelings of hope for her.
Nicely done, Linda.
I hope you’re recovering nicely. It’s difficult to get our strength back quickly sometimes.
Have a wonderful weekend …
Isadora 😎
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Thank you. This is the first day in a week that I haven’t taken any cough medicine or sinus medicine. I do feel better.
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I can empathize with you, Linda. After testing positive for Covid on Dcember 26th, I found myself having lingering symptoms that have been hard to get passed. My age makes me a high risk so I decided that despite feeling much, much better I continue to isolate. Rest seems to be the best medicine. Take good care and don’t over-do. Prayers for a speedy recovery.
Isadora 😎
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Thanks, and the same to. you!
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A heart-wrenching last line.
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Oh my, poor dear. I’m glad she had a place of refuge. So nicely written.
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Thanks, Brenda.
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I like what you tell us and what you choose to let the reader decide. A tiny moving glimpse of a life.
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Thank you.
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So well done, and so recognizable … to me, to many a child, I am sure. No matter what they need a break from, an escape from, a respite from. Especially when it is from harm. Well done!
Sorry you’ve been under the weather – please don’t apologize for taking care of yourself, and for doing what you need. We all do the best we can as we can. There are weeks I don’t get to participate at all. There are weeks I only get to read some of people’s stories. I don’t expect everyone to be able to read mine. We are here as we can, and this to me is plenty good enough. Do take care to take care! 🙂 Na’ama
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Thank. you. You’re right.
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🙂
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oh, the power of books offering temporal refuge to distressed souls.
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I hope you get well, soon. I also had a cold, not the plague, two weeks ago, even mild, they drain energy.
I wonder how many of these tragical stories librarians experience throughout their working life. If they are observant. Like Dale said, beautiful beginning, sad ending.
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I am. much better, thanks. A lingering need for more sleep, but other than that back to normal. Hope you are, as well. Thanks for commenting on my story 🙂
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