The next day when they got up Sean and Katie decided to go to the library for story time and to get a new book for Katie to read. What if I don't finish the book while I am here she asked while they were walking towards the library. Then I will return it and you can get it out the next time you come or maybe in the summer said Sean. Ok that sounds good. Just as they passed Mrs Smith's house she came out. Hello Katie, Sean how are you today? Good morning Mrs. Smith said Katie. We are fine. Are you off to the library again or are you going to the park? We are going to the library said Sean. They are having another story time today so I thought that Katie might enjoy it. I am going to try to stay awake this time said Katie smiling. I hope you do said Mrs. Smith.
Mrs Smith would you be able to do me a favour asked Katie? What would that be she asked? I wanted to get a nice bottle of wine for Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan but as I am only seven I am too young so would you be able to get it for me? It is the only thing that we can think of to get for them to thank them for having me for the week. My mommy told me to buy something for them. I would be happy to do that for you Katie. Thank you very much would you happen to know how much it would be she asked? I would guess that ten pounds would buy a very nice bottle of wine is that ok? Ten pounds Katie thought that would be about twenty dollars. Yes that would be fine. She reached into her purse and gave Mrs. Smith the money and again thanked her.
You can come around tomorrow if you like to pick it up. We will be there tomorrow and thank you again said Katie. That was very nice of Mrs. Smith to do that for me commented Katie to Sean. Yes it was. Well we had better be going if we want to get a good spot for the story time. They arrived at the library and took off their coats and boots and locked them up and went to return the book that they had taken out. Now Katie do you want to get another book out asked Sean? Yes I would. They walked over to the section of the library that they found the original book and looked around for another one that Katie would like. Here we are said Katie. Katie took a book from the shelf. I want to take this one out she said. Alright let's sign this out and then we can sit down and wait for the story time to start.
They went to the check out counter and Sean took the book out for Katie. Thank you said Katie. You are welcome. Let's go sit down. He took her hand and walked with her to a spot on the floor that would allow him to lean back and relax. Sean sat down and leaned against the wall and Katie sat down in front of him and leaned back against him. Are you comfortable he asked? Yes I am said Katie. Now our goal here is to stay awake until after the story is finished. Katie just laughed. I will do my best but you know you make such a good pillow that is difficult.
The story time started a few minutes later and Katie was enjoying the story until she was shaken awake. Oh no not again. Yes again but I will give you credit you did last up until about five minutes ago. So you did hear most of the story. It is a good thing that you don't snore. I am so sorry said Katie. Don't be sorry. It's ok. We had better get our things together. They got up and went over to the lockers and put on their coats and boots. You will wake up on the walk home.
Sean took Katie's hand and they walked home enjoying the beautiful sunny day.
When they got home Mrs. Sullivan was waiting for them. Well how was story time today? It was good but….. You didn't?? I did, I fell asleep again. It wasn't that bad said Sean. She lasted up until about five minutes before the story was finished. I tried really hard said Katie. The next time I am going to have to sit by myself. Then I will be able to stay awake. If I don't I will fall over and that would be really embarrassing. I did get a book to read though. It is one of the series I was reading. You like to read don't you said Mrs. Sullivan. Yes I do it allows me to go anywhere I want to. My mom is reading the Anne of Green Gables series to me. I am really enjoying those stories.
What are those stories about asked Mrs. Sullivan? They are about a little girl who is adopted by a brother and sister on Prince Edward Island. She is an orphan and no body wanted her. She is such a nice girl. All she wants is friends. She finds her best friend living next door. It is a really good book. It sounds like it. Where is Prince Edward Island asked Sean? Prince Edward Island is a province in Canada. It is a small island on the east coast. We went there last summer and it is so beautiful. The ground is red instead of brown. Why is that he asked? I am not sure. I think my mom said it is because of the amount of iron in the soil or something like that.
That sounds like a nice story said Mrs. Sullivan. Do you have the books at home or do you borrow them from the library she asked? My mommy bought them for me for my birthday. There are seven books in the series. We are on book number two now.
Well Katie lets go upstairs and we can read for a while. I can do more studying and you can read your book. That sounds good said Katie and they went upstairs. They spent the rest of the afternoon reading. What are you studying asked Katie? Right now I am studying potions. Potions like the stuff my mom makes for me when I am sick? Something like that. I am studying the different components of a potion. I am trying to memorize the uses of each item. That must be a big job said Katie. It is but if I study the list a little at a time then it won't seem so big a job.
That night when it was time for Katie to go to bed she asked if Sean would stay with her just until she went to sleep. Katie I think that you should try to go to sleep on your own. You are a very brave girl you can do it. There are no monsters that are out to get you. I have checked under your bed and there is nothing there. Can you check the closet? Alright and he checked the closet. There is nothing in there. Ok but I am still scared. How about this, you try to get to sleep on your own and if you can't I will come in and sit with you until you get to sleep ok? Ok . So he said goodnight and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She got into bed, pulled her teddy to her and closed her eyes.
I am going to be brave she kept thinking. I am going to be brave. She was concentrating on this so much that she did not hear Sean's father coming in to check on her. He crept over to the side of her bed and reached over to pull the blanket up over her shoulder when Katie noticed him and started to scream. When he heard her screaming Sean came running. What is going on he said as he ran over to her. Katie was just crying. He looked up at his father. I came in to check on her and I guess she didn't hear me. I am so sorry I scared her. It is ok said Sean. She is still afraid that there are monsters under her bed.
Sean pulled her into a hug and patted her back until she stopped crying. It is ok he said to her. I was trying to be brave she said. I was really trying. I was laying here and saying to myself that I am going to be brave. I know you really tried. I should have stayed with you I knew that you were still scared. But I have to be a big girl. I am not a baby anymore. I know that you are not a baby but you still are young and I knew that you were scared. Shift over said Sean. Why asked Katie? I am going to stay with you until you get to sleep. You are?? Yes, if that is ok? Yes it is. Good. Now shift over.
Sean took Katie into his arms and held her until she fell asleep. Sean sat there and watched her as she slept. I should have stayed, it would have only been a few minutes and she would have been able to sleep peacefully.