Shadow kept an eye on the entrance to the children's section. Would Mr. Zander think to look here? She couldn't help but wonder what his problem was. He hadn't appeared strange at first glance, but then, "You can't judge a book…"

Speaking of, how did Sonic recognize his brand of shoes? "I finally lost that creepy guy in the Earth Keepers…"

Sonic himself wore only one brand of shoe that Shadow knew of, and she didn't know the name; but if anyone were to have an extensive knowledge of shoe brands, she guessed it would be Sonic. She looked over at him as he read a Yellow-label "Cam Jansen" chapter book to the surrounding children. Sonic did make a good role model, despite his occasional silliness and, more recently, enigmatic behavior. Shadow raised an eyebrow and tilted her head as Sonic turned to Steven to ask how to pronounce the word "photograph." Maybe those labels were a little more accurate than she thought…

Shadow tried to go back to reading her book, but Mrs. Williams tapped her on the shoulder. She kept her eyes on Sonic and leaned in to whisper to Shadow.

"Is that that superhero guy? That Sonic?"

Shadow nodded.

"Are you two… y'know. Together?"

Shadow shook her head.

"Oh, good. I was hoping, I mean… Well, I don't want Steven growing up like his uncle…"

"His uncle? The 'color person?' I mean, the-."

"Yes, the homosexual." Shadow's attempts to tread lightly on the subject were thwarted by Mrs. William's honesty.

To which Shadow responded: "Actually, if we were together it wouldn't be… that. I mean, I may not look like it, but I am female. Long story."

Mrs. Williams tilted her head in confusion. "Oh," she said simply, looking back towards Sonic, who still obliviously read his story.

Shadow heard a sound from the door, and realized too late that it was open; Ben Zander leaning in the doorway and looking in with an eerie smile.

Elizabeth heard Shadow gasp and looked toward the door, not expecting to see her ex-husband there.

"Ben?" she exclaimed, her hand in her purse to speed-dial 911. "What are you doing here?"

She stepped forward, between him and the younger occupants of the room. He began to sweet-talk her.

"Lizzie! Baby! Didn't expect you to be here! How's little… Uh…"

"He's fine," she said, as concisely as possible. "What are you doing here? I know you're not here to read."

"I'm on the rebound!" he defended, nonchalance dripping from his gesturing sleeves. "I happen to like book-y girls, so what?"

Sirens sounded outside. An increase in the volume of footsteps out in the library atrium caught Ben's attention.

Shadow had slipped out of Ben's view and warned Sonic to speed it up a bit. The noise from outside caught Ben's attention and Shadow saw an opening for mild vengeance which she could see no regretting.

Shadow jumped up and shoved Ben Zander out the door of the Children's Section and into the waiting arms of the police.

Officer Beat was glad to see some action. Most of his job was computers, but when he got out on the streets, life was good. Today's call was from a lady who'd recently divorced her husband, the court having decided he was dangerous. His name was Ben Zander, and it had never felt better to be the deep-voiced man who came up behind the criminal, said his name, and when he reacted, told him he was under arrest. Brilliant.

Sonic finished up the story and turned to Shadow. "Okay, we're done. What was it you wanted?"

Shadow sighed and shook her head, nodding towards the door. "I think it's time we left."

"Oh," said Sonic, looking a little disappointed. The surrounding children shared his sentiments.

"We can come back some other time, okay?" said Shadow, "but right now, say goodbye. We've got other things to do, today."

Sonic stood up from his comfy spot on the floor and stretched a bit, smiling at the youth of Redwood Park.

"All right guys, we've got to go. But we'll see you around, okay? Keep reading!"

The children cheered, wholeheartedly agreeing with Sonic's somewhat corny sentiment. Sonic turned toward the door, stopping a moment to wait for Shadow, who was saying goodbye to Steven.

"It was nice seeing you again, Steven," said Shadow as the boy handed his selection on trains to his mother in order to give Shadow a hug.

"Bye, Shadow," he said, smiling. "I can't wait until I get to read like you."

"What do you mean?" asked Shadow, as Steven reclaimed his book from Mrs. Williams.

"You know! The black books? I wanna read like you!"

Shadow smiled, although she didn't entirely understand. "I'm happy that you do. Goodbye Steven. See you later."

The boy and his mother waved as Sonic and Shadow returned to the atrium of the library. The police had come and gone, and Ben Zander had gone with them. Sonic waited patiently by the door as Shadow put away her book. Her thoughts drifted back to a previous process, about Sonic's no-doubt eventual departure from her life. "Chicken Soup for the Soul" could wait until then.

As she returned the book to its proper place, she noticed the difference in labels between the children's books and the adult's books. The labels on the adult's books were black. Shadow-level.

She smiled at the strange coincidence and rejoined Sonic at the exit; the two of them deciding to decide on what to do for the rest of the day.