It wasn't a secret location, quite the opposite actually. The small outdoor arena hadn't been fully utilized in years, decades probably. Ever since the drama department invested an ungodly amount of money for their new venue in the mid-1990s, this charming little grassed venue became forgotten. It still had its uses, notably for the department's annual Shakespeare Under the Stars productions and, of course, for local wedding and prom photographers. Currently the venue's most popular use was as a staff and student lounge area during lunch.

It was perfect really. Away from the parking lots, streets, and high populated areas, it gave the allusion of being its own small valley. The high walls that once served as barriers between the actors and the audience provided shelter from the cold winds in the fall, whereas the huge oak trees that lined the outside edges provided a cool reprieve during spring and early summer. Beth absolutely loved being out there during her break, and often wondered why more people didn't take advantage of this location. Even still, she was happy to know it was her own secret world.

Well, okay, maybe not hers alone. Over the course of the ten years working at the college, Beth did find she had to share her space with other like minded souls. There were the regulars; Professor Lincoln who sat towards the front, facing stage left. Professor Riggs who sat on the opposite side (stage right). Towards the middle of the grassy field sat Mr. Cohan, head of the HR department, and Mrs. Holden, resident IT expert, sat upper middle left. Then there were the handful of students, the only real ever-changing people who ate there. For whatever reason, the students tended to sit towards the top of the small arena. Different faces, different semesters, same look of contentment and confusion. A few people came and went, but overall, that was the community that shared the arena during lunch. Beth loved it. There was comfort in the certainty that this was their space. Beth smiled at that thought. That and the thought of Mr. Blue of course.

So, that actually wasn't his name. Beth didn't know it or anything for that matter about her lunch crush. The first time she saw Mr. Blue, walking down the stage to what would become his regular spot under a large oak tree, Beth had been listening to the old country song "Blue" on her player, and the moniker just stuck. She knew he probably worked on the campus but short of walking up and asking him, all she could do was speculate. Although the college was fairly small when compared to others, most departments kept to themselves. The only reason she knew any of the names of the people in her lunch group was because she had met them in the circulation department at the library where she worked.

Mr. Blue was attractive. Very, very, attractive. He was a combination of Paul Bunion and the Brawny Man. Those were really the only descriptors she could generate considering she never got close enough to get a proper look. It appeared he had brown, shaggy hair, coming down below his ears. Mr. Blue typically wore dark jeans or khakis with a blazer, making Beth think he was likely an educator or other school personnel. There wasn't usually a whole lot of socializing in the group, so Beth figured it would be rude to break with the norm to interrupt him during lunch.

That wasn't the only thing that made her keep her distance however. Beth figured that the woman Mr. Blue always ate lunch with would probably not appreciate her walking up to him.

Mr. Blue always arrived to lunch first, and only then did Beth feel it would be okay to stare and admire him. As soon as Mrs. Blue arrived, Beth made herself stop. Sometimes though she couldn't help herself. The couple seemed so comfortable and happy together, that Beth had to sneak a few peeks. Mr. Blue would gently pull on her shirt when it appeared she had said something funny. Mrs. Blue would playfully slap his knee when it seemed he said something inappropriate. Their interactions were so comfortable and familiar to each other, that Beth found herself sighing as she watched. As much as Beth enjoyed admiring Mr. Blue's looks, she found herself admiring their relationship more.

Things at the Georgian college library where Beth worked were often dull and monotonous, yet she didn't mind. Beth had always been an avid book lover, so having access to every book imaginable through databases and private collections was a match made in heaven. These days Beth had little time to play around, especially during the fall semester, arguably their busiest time. As one of the campuses few librarians, Beth was tasked with taking orders from professors for course materials, and making sure the book store was stocked.

She was also a book healer, as her sister so lovingly called her, being the only librarian on campus who could successfully bind and restore almost any old book. During her ten years working at the library she had also developed a knack for locating out-of-print, rare, and first editions, a skill that elated both her father and brother-in-law. These skills made Beth a minor celebrity in their community which only served to make her chuckle, considering there were only seven in her department.

Beth was currently trying to locate an out-of-print for the Biology department when her supervisor Patricia walked by. "Orders in, Beth. Up front" the old woman didn't even bother stopping as she passed, but Beth understood the drill. She sighed loudly as she stood up and made her way to the front.

Typically, orders for books were submitted through the library website, so the fact that someone had physically showed up at the front desk meant that whoever it was had waited until the last minute and was desperate. She never understood why people assumed that meeting face to face meant a speedier delivery. Already frustrated, she made sure to take her time, knowing that whoever was waiting for her was probably in a panic, and therefore be extremely unpleasant with her. As she stepped out of the back hallway into the reception area she let out a quiet gasp and felt herself go red. Mrs. Blue stood across the counter, reading one of the library pamphlets, tapping her pen on the desk. Well this is awkward she thought, knowing there was absolutely no reason for her to feel that way.

"Hi, you wanted to see me?" Beth smiled as wide as she could. Kill her with kindness Greene, kill her with kindness.

The woman frowned and tilted her head "I'm sorry?" Mrs. Blue looked confused.

Beth sighed again. She was ready to dislike this woman. Whatever Beth, you already don't like her. All those times Beth had observed the pair during lunch came quickly to her mind. Jealousy was her least favorite trait, but dammit if she couldn't stop herself from feeling it this moment.

"You had a book order you wanted to place?" Beth wasn't looking at the woman, choosing to focus on the pen the woman wouldn't stop tapping instead. At least she isn't wearing a ring. Beth took in that minor victory.

"Oh, yes! Sorry, I didn't realize that was you. I guess I assume everyone who works here is my age or older." Beth glanced up at her and noticed the gentle manner in which Mrs. Blue smiled at her. The tapping sounds drew their attention back to Mrs. Blue's hands, and the older woman suddenly becoming aware of her actions "I can't ever seem to stop myself from doing this, very rude behavior on my part, I do apologize" she laughed as she put the pen back into its holder.

Damn it Bethy, I think she's alright. Beth reached out to move the pen holder away and accidentally knocked it over. It was Beth's turn to laugh "I can't ever seem to stop myself from doing something embarrassing. Must be why they keep us in the back."

Mrs. Blue laughed "Well lucky for you, all my blunders usually happen in front of my students, and they can be very unforgiving." Both women giggled "Yes, I can see that. Students are the worst!" Beth smiled at the woman, having already forgotten her initial disdain.

"Well then," Beth straightened, going into librarian-mode "how can I help you Professor…"

"Carol, just call me Carol" she smiled that warm smile again that Beth couldn't help but reciprocate.

"Carol, nice to meet you. I'm Beth, what can I do for you?"

Carol picked up the pen again, seemingly without realizing it and took a deep breath. "I teach Child Development over at the psychology department. I'm embarrassed to say that I placed an order for what I realize now was the wrong edition of one of my books, and now I'm a little panicked that my students will never know the story of Aspergers and how it ceased to exist as a developmental disorder."

Beth feigned a gasp "Oh my, well we can't have that" she shook her head as though she knew exactly what Carol was talking about. Beth slowly began to walk towards her office "Don't you worry, you're in good hands now" she waved Carol to follow her to her desk. "Lucky for you this type of thing happens all the time, and I'm a bit of a pro. I'll just need you to submit a new order form along with your class information. Also, if you have the UPC number of the textbook you accidentally ordered, I can quickly put a stop on that one and rush the next order" Beth knew she was babbling at this point, and that Carol was probably as confused as she was a bit ago, but she couldn't help it. Once an order came in, Beth got into her zone and was ready to go.

"Just have a seat here while I look up the order history, and we can get you what you need." Carol had a seat in front of the desk as Beth quickly opened her database and got to work. "This happens all the time Carol, so no need to worry" she watched the older woman absentmindedly reach for one of the pens on her desk and resume her tapping. "Just because it happens all the time, doesn't mean I don't appreciate all you're doing" Beth smiled at Carol, and got to work. Yep, this woman is good people.

"Are these your children?" Carol had picked up one of the picture frames that sat on Beth's desk.

"If they were, they'd be a lot more spoiled and dressed a heck-of-a lot better" Beth laughed as she picked up another frame. "They're my nephews, Charlie and Michael. I love those two more than all the stars and moons." she smiled as she put the picture down. "How about you, do you have any children?"

Carol's smile faded just a bit, sadness pooling in her eyes "I did. A daughter. Her name was Sophia." Carol gently placed the picture back on the desk. Beth stared at the woman, feeling a knot forming in her throat. Beth slowly leaned forward towards Carol, as though about to tell her a secret.

"I bet you spoiled her rotten, didn't you?" she whispered.

Carol let out a laugh. A laugh so loud, that it echoed through Beth's small office. "Oh yes. Sophia had me wrapped around her finger, and God Bless her, she knew it." Beth laughed and continued her work on the computer, glad the sad moment had passed.

"Okay, almost done here. If you could just fill out this form and turn it back in as soon as you can, we'll go ahead and process the order." Back in librarian-mode, Beth gave Carol the form she had just printed. "The publishing company is one that our school works with a lot, so I know all the people who can help get this done quick. You should have what you need the week before school starts."

"Thank you so much Beth, you are a life saver, truly"

"Well we can't let those students down can we?" Both women stood up and Beth led her out to the front lobby.

"One last thing, before I take off," Carol turned to face Beth once they were out. "Do you know who I can talk to about binding an old textbook of mine? It's not for class, it's more personal really, but this book means a lot. My father gave it to me as a child and I hate that the cover and bindings are wearing so thin."

"That would actually be me" Beth tucked her blonde hair behind her ear, a tick she'd had all her life when she got nervous. She wasn't use to so much face-to-face interaction, limiting most of her conversations to emails or phone calls.

"Well, you're the jack of all trades now aren't you?" Carol winked.

Beth giggled. "Only here." Everywhere else I'm a hot mess.

Beth sighed as she worked out the logistics in her head. "We're packed heavy right now with orders, so all book restorations have been placed on hold" Beth paused as she looked around, making sure none of her coworkers were around to hear the next part. "But if you bring me your book, I'm sure I can get it all fixed up for you." Beth continued in a hushed tone "It might take a few weeks, maybe even a month since I'll have to work on it between other projects, but it'll get done."

Carol looked stunned "Oh Beth, dear, don't you trouble yourself for that, it really isn't urgent-"

Beth waved her off before she could finish. "Oh you stop that! If I can find time to bind all of my brother-in-law's manga after my nephew ripped the covers off, I can certainly do the same for yours."

"Beth, thank you!" Carol placed her hand on Beth's, emphasizing how grateful she was.

Beth smiled. "Of course. Us lunch buddies got to stick together right?"

Carol frowned, apparently confused. "Lunch buddies?"

"Oh, yeah, sorry, um…" Beth's face turned red. In her mind, Carol and Mr. Blue were so much a part of her daily routine that she just assumed it was a part of theirs.

"I, uh, I have lunch at the old theater. I've seen you and Bl-" Beth felt sweat bead up on her forehead "uh, your boe, eating there from time to time." Carol had stopped tapping the pen she had somehow ended up with again and stared at her. Must be why they keep us in the back Beth reminded herself.

Carol smiled, picking up on Beth's embarrassment, but kind enough to not bring it up. "Isn't that the best place for lunch? I can't imagine why it isn't more popular."

Beth smiled, feeling her face return to its natural shade and let out a grateful sigh

"I agree."