not so specific

Oliver was swamped at the circulation desk. Yes, he knew City was here, and it just made him want to work that much harder. Try his best to meet the needs of the patron. He almost checked out something on his own account for some teenage girl that was barred who needed art books. But he didn't. He had to go by the rules. Especially now.

He felt as if he were walking in circles. Nothing was ever enough. And then he looked up and there was Chris at the counter.

"I need a library card." He was specific.

"OK," Oliver put on his library clerk face and was pleasant as he could be. "Ever have a card with us before?"

"I don't think so." Chris kept staring at him with his gruff exterior. There was no way to get him to crack a smile.

"Whats your name? I'll see if you're in the system."

"Chris Constantinople."

"Cool name." He usually said that to anyone under the age of twenty-five. "I don't see you, which is usually a good thing. If we've kept your name over a very long time, usually means fines."

"I might have had one when I was in middle school."

"But you've moved since then anyway, right?"

Chris nodded.

"OK, got anything like a picture ID, a piece of mail, checkbook. Something with your name and address on it." Oliver said next.

He nodded again and got out the information.

It was business as usual. Oliver took the information, brought up the site on his computer, put in the information. "Looks like a free card. No membership fees."

"Membership fees?" Chris looked a little cross with that tidbit that didn't even apply to him.

"Its a city library. Not all the new developed areas are incorporated with the city as of yet, but you're in the right place. Free card." Oliver smiled.

"Oh."

So Oliver gave Chris the rules and regulations along with an application. For a moment Chris was in school again looking over everything, even the free book marker. Finally, he filled out the application and Oliver started typing up the application. In just a few minutes, Chris had himself a simple white plastic card ready for him to sign.

"So you can check out three items, one can be a video, DVD or CD. Next time up to twenty items on your card," Oliver knew the drill.

"You have DVDs?"

"Loads of them." Oliver nodded, pointing to them near the computer lab. "Oh, did you want me make a card for Dayton?"

"Can you?"

"Well, you aren't married or anything, but if he's going to stay with you and all. I don't see the harm in it, do you?" Oliver could dupe the information quickly, put in Dayton's name. He didn't even have a card, anyway. Which seemed odd to Oliver, that he'd never came to the library and his girlfriend worked here. But that was over. Really over. Had to be. He blinked, thinking Dayton's ex was his Bex.

"That would be cool if he had a card." Chris nodded.

"So how's he doing?"

"Fine, I guess." Still no real expression with Chris. Oliver wished he had an inkling about him and Dayton. Maybe it was better not knowing. It didn't really matter, did it?

"Well, here's a card for him. Hopefully, he'll use it." Oliver handed him the card for Dayton then.

Chris just nodded and took it.

"Can I help you with anything?" Oliver wished he didn't have to ask, but he did.

"Uh, yeah." Chris nodded. "Have any cookbooks on cooking for two?"

"Well, I think we do. Tons of them, in fact." Oliver would lead the way. It was the least he could do.