âLife is all about turning the page.â
Robin Walker is not used to the quiet life. As a library clerk working in Manhattan, the disruptions come from office politics. But when Robinâs grandfather is found collapsed on Robinâs living room floor, Robin must brace himself for the worst.
Robin tries to find solace in his co-workers. But when his supervisor is locked in a private battle with the head librarian, loyalties are tested. Heâll soon realize its not easy knowing who to trust, especially when his job could be on the line. Robin is suddenly energized when he dates Shinju, a beautiful Asian woman he saw months ago. When Shinju becomes a part of his life, Robin tries to find joy wherever he can. But it wonât be so simple, secrets are revealed, causing a great disruption that leaves the branch shattered.
Book Endings: Loss, Pain, and Revelations is an absorbing slice-of-life look at characters on interlacing paths â trying to discover themselves. In this thoughtful sequel, life is what you make of it. Like books borrowed from the library of the universe, weâre only here until we must be returned to the earth⌠because our time is borrowed.
âLife is all about turning the page.â
Robin Walker is not used to the quiet life. As a library clerk working in Manhattan, the disruptions come from office politics. But when Robinâs grandfather is found collapsed on Robinâs living room floor, Robin must brace himself for the worst.
Robin tries to find solace in his co-workers. But when his supervisor is locked in a private battle with the head librarian, loyalties are tested. Heâll soon realize its not easy knowing who to trust, especially when his job could be on the line. Robin is suddenly energized when he dates Shinju, a beautiful Asian woman he saw months ago. When Shinju becomes a part of his life, Robin tries to find joy wherever he can. But it wonât be so simple, secrets are revealed, causing a great disruption that leaves the branch shattered.
Book Endings: Loss, Pain, and Revelations is an absorbing slice-of-life look at characters on interlacing paths â trying to discover themselves. In this thoughtful sequel, life is what you make of it. Like books borrowed from the library of the universe, weâre only here until we must be returned to the earth⌠because our time is borrowed.
Time was of the essence, Robin kneeled and turned Jon over. His face was blue, and he was not breathing. Robin tried to feel a pulse on his wrist, then his neck. He shook his shoulders frantically.
âGranddaddy!? Granddaddy!?â he called out.
HE CANâT FUCKING HEAR, YOU IDIOT! A voice screamed in his head.
He jumped up and ran to the secretary desk, then picked up the phone dialing 9-1-1. Seconds ticked away in slow motion like hours as he waited while the receiver rang.
â911 Whatâs your emergency?â an operator asked.
âMy grandfatherâs collapsed on the floor, send an ambulance! 111 Wadsworth Avenue, the high-rise bridge apartments between 179th and 178th on Wadsworth! Apartment 16D, D as in David! Hurry goddamnit!â
âParamedics are on the way sir, please remain calm, describe your grandfather, how old is he, how much does he weigh, does he have a history of heart problems?â
â77-year-old black male, 5â11, 205 pounds, he once had a congestive heart failure scare back in 1987âŚâ his eyes watered, listening to the panic in his voice.
âOkay, stay on the line with me, donât try to move him,â
Robin cupped the receiver to prevent the operator from hearing him as he moved to the apartment intercom, he pressed the TALK button.
âHey security! Paramedics are coming! Hold an elevator in the lobby for them!â
He released the button and pressed on the LISTEN button for a reply from the guard stationed downstairs. âOkay, theyâre already here, theyâre coming up!â came from the speaker.
Robin turned the knob on the metal door, pulled it open, and then turned the lock tumbler to stick out and hold the door ajar. He then rushed back to Jon just as two EMTâs entered the apartment.
âHelp him, please!â Robin cried.
âStep back, son!â one of them ordered.
Robin gave way as the technicians examined the elder.
âGot a pulse, pass me the O2 and get the stretcher!â
Please God, donât take him now, please. Robin pleased to himself.
Please not nowâŚ
#
An hour later Robin was in the waiting area of the Intensive Care Unit at Columbia Presbyterian. Every moment when someone wearing a white jacket or scrubs walked by, he would tense up expecting the worst.
âDonât die, please donât die...not now, pleaseâŚâ he whispered.
A short middle-aged white man with thinning black hair walked down from the hallway and called out, âMister Walker?â
Robin stood up, âYes?â
The physician approached him, âIâm Doctor Hale Kelsolan, your grandfather is in stable conditionâŚâ
âOh thank you, Jesus!â Robin interrupted.
â...but heâs not out of the woods, yet, young man.â Kelsolan finished.
âIâm sorry, when can I see him?â
âSoon, heâs been placed in a room for observation, but his conditionâŚâ
âGo on, I need to hear it, Doctor.â Robin said, taking a deep breath.
âHeâs suffering from Pulmonary Edema, fluid is building in his lungs. The oxygen in his blood is at an extremely low rate, we took out 10 ounces of liquid, thatâs a little over than a soda can. I have no other way to tell you this, but...he doesnât have that much time left.â
Robin let what was just said sink in, âH...how much time are we talking here?â
âDepending on his strength, no more than 4 to 6 weeks at the most.â
âIs there anything that you can do?â
He shook his head, âAt his age, in his condition, not even a transplant would help. Iâm afraid the only thing to do is make good with the time he has left.â
Robin turned away and closed his eyes, the doctor walked back up the hallway. Another hour went by and around midnight Jon was admitted to a room on the third floor. Robin tried to see him, but he was sleeping with no sign of waking up soon, so he went back home.
#
Walking back in the apartment, Robin was beginning to grasp with the possibility of living alone, his stomach was doing flip-flops. He thanked his lucky stars he didnât eat any concessions at the Knicks game. It was time to call someone he was in no mood to speak to.
âUm, hey, itâs...itâs me, mom. I donât know if you even listen to these messages, itâs been months since Iâve heard from you or Raven. Itâs probably due to her busy schedule, but um, the reason why Iâm calling isâŚâ
Robin cupped the receiver and took a breath and sighed.
â...th...there was an incident with granddaddy. Heâs fine, for now, but heâs been admitted to the hospital and will be there for a few days. The...the doctors are saying, that...that he doesnât have much time left. Weâve had some scares before, I know, but I...I..I think this could be it, mom. So please, give me a call when you get this, I think you might need to fly home from wherever you are at this moment, okay? So, bye.â
He hung up the phone. Using a calling card for long-distance rates just to leave a message was so annoying to him. His mother used an automated answering service, and rarely returned his calls. The last time he physically spoke to her was a five-minute conversation around Thanksgiving.
Robin looked at the clock, it was two fifteen in the morning, he had no idea how he was going to function while going to class and work on four hours of sleep. After a night like tonight, sleep wasnât even an option.
#
Lakeshia was still walking on air despite laying in her bed with her eyes closed. She kept reliving the moment in her head, the warm embrace they shared. How strong his arms were. The souvenir tee-shirt was draped down her bare chest. Her mind began to slip away into a dreamlike state, fantasizing about Robin lying next to her.
His fingers traced up and down her entire body, giving her the chills, it felt so real to her. She started to moan, becoming aroused. The cloth of the shirt brushed against her nipples as they suddenly perked to life. Her thighs began to rub together and after a moment she began to spasm and jerk violently. She opened her eyes as her body went limp. She had no idea what just happened, but something felt...wrong.
Lakeshia sat up and gasped as she looked down and noticed her sheets were damp. She turned on the lights and leaped out of her bed, still grasping the shirt. After examining the bed, she took off the sheets and went out of her room to the linen closet.
#
At eight oâclock in the morning, the door to Augustusâ office opened. The visitor crept inside and went to the supply closet. Gloved hands carefully opened the closet and slowly removed the box with the fake memo supplies. Without making another sound, the visitor left the branch and locked the door.
#
Sonyai was working the returns side of the circulation desk when Robin walked in. He appeared to be distraught about something. She followed him inside the clerical office.
âWalker, whatâs wrong?â she asked.
He debated about disclosing his personal crisis, âUm, itâs nothing, just didnât get that much sleep last night.â
She turned and closed the door behind her, then looked back at him. âLook,â she began, âWe havenât known each other long enough to share anything personal, but something is obviously troubling you.â
He looked at his supervisor for a moment, then rolled his eyes and sighed, âMy grandfather went to the hospital last night, heâs sick.â
âIâm sorry to hear that. You have my condolences.â
Yeah, right. he thought, âUm, thanks.â he said instead, âI was wondering if I could work a straight shift with no break...so I can leave early and check on him?â
She raised an eyebrow, âTo work without a break, even for part-time clerks would be against the lawâŚâ
Robin just stared back at her, she could see how exhausted he was.
âHowever, Iâm willing to, ahem, make an exception this 1 time.â
He nodded, âThank you, Miss...Thank you, Sonyai.â
She reached up and extended her hand to his shoulder, âMy, I never noticed how tall you are.â
That brought a smile to his face, âIâm not tall, youâre just short.â he joked.
She scoffed as they both returned to the circulation desk.
#
Tanya was working the shelves at four oâclock when Lakeshia shuffled quickly towards her, âUm, can I talk to you for a sec?â she asked with a shaky voice.
âWhatâs wrong?â
Lakeshia pulled her arm as they went upstairs to the auditorium. When they arrived, she turned and looked at Tanya franticallyâŚ
âSomething happened last night!â
âGeez, what? Another wet dream? What is with you?â
âI...I...was sleeping last night, th...thinking about Robin and he gave me this Knicks shirt as a souvenir and...and...and I was holding it while I was asleep, and it reminded me of him...andâŚâ
âKnicks shirt? Souvenir?! When was this? Never mind, what happened next?â
âI felt something...something...funny.â
Tanya narrowed her eyes, âBetween yourâŚâ she whispered.
She nodded.
âAnd your bed gotâŚâ
She nodded faster.
They said in unison, âIT.â
Tanya sighed, âWhat did you do?â
âI changed the sheets in the middle of the night and slept on the floor,â she started to cry and grabbed Tanya, âOh my God, I was so scared! I didnât know what to do, I didnât know what was happening, I thought I wasâŚâ
âBleeding?â
Lakeshia wiped her nose and mumbled, âMmmhmmâŚâ
Tanya sighed, âItâs okay, Leelee, itâs a perfectly normal reaction for your bodyâŚ.weâll get to that chapter in the book. But you gotta tell me how you got that Knicks shirt.â
âWellâŚâ Lakeshia remembered promising Robin to keep their âdate-that-was-not-a-dateâ a secret. âYou canât tell anyone, not even Miss Yi...but I went to a Knicks game with Robin...and his friends. He had an extra ticket and we went just as friends.â
Tanya arched an eyebrow, âUh-huh.â
Lakeshia looked down sheepishly, âThank you for...helping me with this, Tee.â
âDonât thank me yet because...speaking of the bookâŚâ
She wiped her face and looked up at her.
âDid you know itâs overdue and they sent ME a notice in the mail?â she asked.
âWhat? I thought I had a few more days,â
âNo, and whatâs worse, my moms opened it and sheâs furious!â
âWhat?â
#
At that same moment, miles north at the Seabrooke home, Quinton Seabrooke was playing with his remote control car, buzzing it around the living room. He then turned it towards the hallway and it bounced off the wall into Lakeshiaâs room.
âAaaack!â he cried out, if she found his car in her room again she would get mom and dad to take it away from him. He quickly ducked inside and searched for his toy. After checking the closet and the dresser, he looked under her bed and found the car. It was next to a book that he pulled out and read the cover.
His eyes went wide and screamed out, âMOOOMMMMMMM!â
#
It was nearly closing time and Robin was holding his own against a line of patrons checking out materials when Sonyai approached him.
âIâve closed the cash register, go ahead, give your grandfather my best.â she ordered.
âYou sure?â
She nodded and they switched places, Robin then retrieved his book bag and rushed out the door. Across the floor, Angie Trueblood stood up from the information desk and joined the senior clerk checking out books.
âWe should look for the box.â she whispered.
Sonyai nodded, âOnce the pages leave.â
The room went silent as the last of the patrons departed, with Alex and Tanya leaving behind them. Sonyai turned out the lights in the clerical office, then walked over to join Angie in front of Augustusâ office. Sonyai looked at Angie as she slipped into a pair of gloves.
âArenât you being a bit TOO paranoid?â she asked, âWeâve touched his door several times already.â
The Information Assistant didnât reply and slowly opened the door.
They walked in and Sonyai turned on the desk lamp so they could see. Angie walked to the supply closet, opened the door and felt around inside where she left the box previously. While she searched, Sonyai looked upon the desk and remembered the friendly discussions she had with the head librarianâs predecessor.
âShit!â Angie hissed.
âWhat? What is it?â Sonyai asked, snapped back from her memory.
âItâs gone!â
âWhat do you MEAN itâs gone?â
She stepped back, âI mean, itâs not here!â
Sonyai stepped forward and opened both doors, searching the closet, âWhere did you see it?â
âIt was right here on the 4th shelf next to the reserve postcards.â Angie replied pointing, âI put it back and left it right here.â
She stepped back and slammed her fist on the desk in disgust, then turned back to Angie, âDo you think someone tipped him off?â
âNo, I placed it there carefully, thereâs no way he would know it was disturbed.â
âHe must have moved it somewhere else, look aroundâŚâ
They searched the room and his desk carefully, when they didnât find anything Angie said, âMaybe itâs upstairs? The staff room? Or evenâŚâ
âForget it!â Sonyai interrupted, âThis was just a waste of timeâŚâ she stepped from around the door and headed to the door.
Angie was a step behind when Sonyai opened the door and froze after stepping outside, she was about to say something while almost bumping into her, but then gasped as Zelda stood in the middle of the floor staring back at them. All three looked like a deer in headlights, obviously not expecting to see each other at this hour.
âI...accidentally left my purse in my deskâŚâ
âUhhhâŚâ Sonyai uttered as her eyes darted in every direction.
âWhat were you two doing in there?â Zelda asked.
âI...I...I, umâŚâ Angie stammered.
âMiss Trueblood was just...showing me the uh, new pencils Augustus ordered!â
Angie nodded and exclaimed, âYes! Th...those pencils were nice, weren't they?â
âYes, yes they were, he did an excellent job with those supply acquisitions...well, we were just closing for the evening, Iâll leave you to it, then. Have a...nice evening.â Sonyai quickly walked past Zelda to the exit as Angie looked at Zelda sheepishly.
âUm, I guess you can lock up now...after you get...um, your purse.â
âYes, I supposed I can.â Zelda said skeptically.
Without another word, Angie also walked past the librarian and left the branch.
#
Robin made it back to Presbyterian by seven, he got off the elevator on the third floor and signed in. Jon was sitting up slurping on chicken broth in bed when Robin stepped through the doorway. The sight of his grandfather still alive and eating brought him to tears. Then he remembered what the doctor said and put on a brave face.
âHey.â he signed with his right hand while wiping a tear on his glove.
Jon greeted him with a weak smile, âToo tired to signâŚâ he said, his voice hoarse.
He took his hand and slowly said, âItâs okay.â so he could read his lips.
âW..what did they say?â Jon asked.
Robin changed the subject, âI um, called momâŚ.left a message,â
Jon shook his head, âShe wonât come. Call your aunt instead.â then looked down defeated.
Robin didnât even think of Aunt Regina, he nodded and made a mental note to call her when he got home. His hand felt cold and clammy. âLook, fuck what these doctors said, put it out of your head right now, we...granddaddy, hey, look at meâŚâ he barked and clapped his hands.
He lifted his head as they faced each other.
â...We will get through this...okay?â There was a fierce look of determination in his eyes as the young man assured the elder.
Jon looked down again and simply nodded.
A nurse came in to check on Jon.
He stood up from the bed and asked her, âWhen can he go home?â
She looked at him, âI know he looks fine, but we just want to watch him for two or three more days at the most.â
Robin clenched his jaw, âFine, but he is NOT dying here, okay? When that time comes, he will be home surrounded by his family and loved ones.â
He stepped out of the room for some air while the nurse resumed her examination, out of sight in the hallway, he leaned against the wall and lightly hit the back of his head against it.
âI heard what you said back there.â
Robin turned his head to see Dr. Kelsolan standing next to him.
âSorry, donât mean to sound ungratefulâŚâ Robin said with a sigh.
âItâs alright, we hear it all the time. Youâre at stage 1, now.â
He tilted his forward, âUm, video games have taught me that the 1st stage is usually the tutorial and the easiest stage, THIS does not feel easy!â
âIâm talking about the 5 stages...of dealing with the death of a loved one.â
He stared at him quietly, waiting for him to continue.
âDenial, we have a natural fear of dying so when we are faced with it up close we refuse to accept it or we just donât believe it...until itâs too late.â
âI am at peace with what will happen, but I know my grandfather, and heâs a fighter, okay? There have been times when heâs knocked on deathâs door, but heâs still here. When heâs strong enough, he will walk out of here. Thatâs a promise.â
He went back inside as Kelsolan shook his head.
#
âSex!? The joy of Sex!?...What in the hell is Lakeshia doing reading books about the joy of sex!?â Rudy Seabrooke yelled.
âCalm down,â Jennifer Seabrooke pleaded, âI suspected this would happen, we should have had âThe Talkâ with her, but you kept putting it off. Â And then pulling her out of that class in school,â
âSo you saying this is my fault, Jen? Is that what youâre saying?â
âNo, Iâm not saying that itâs just, we have to deal with this now.â
The phone rang and Jennifer answered it, âHello?â
âYes, my name is Cynthia Brown, my daughter Tanya works with your daughter after school in the library, I found her name and number in my daughterâs address book. Am I speaking to Lakeshiaâs parents?â
âGood evening, Mrs. Brown, Iâm Jennifer Seabrooke, Lakeshiaâs mother, youâve called at a pretty convenient time. I believe we need to get our 2 children together...and have ourselves a conversation.â
#
Tanya was at the Webster Branch again Tuesday after school watching Andrew working the floor. He was checking on the pages, briefing each one. When he was done, the Senior Clerk walked straight towards where she was sitting with her face behind a newspaper.
âTanya?â he said as he stood in front of her.
She lowered the paper and looked up at him.
âI wanted to tell you, but you didnât give me a chance.â
âI...I trusted you, Andy...IâŚâ she rolled her eyes and held in the tears, âI loved you...and you broke my heart.â
He looked down, âIâm sorry.â
She stood up, âYeah, you damn sure are!â she grabbed her book bag and stormed out of the branch. It was her day off so she took the train home. When she walked in, her mother was waiting for her.
âMama?â
âDrop your books, weâre going downtown.â she ordered.
#
Janelle knocked on the door and Evelyn opened it. She walked into the apartment and took a seat on the couch.
âAvery went around the corner to the store, heâll be right back. Would you like some water?â Evelyn offered.
âYes, thank you.â
She came back with two glasses, âItâs hot as hell today and it ainât even the summer yet.â
They sat quietly, sipping their drinks.
âWe barely spoke last time because I was upsetâŚâ
âMore like you were angry,â Janelle interjected.
Evelyn paused at the childâs interruption. She blinked hard and then put on a tight smile, âYes, I suppose I was...as I was saying, we barely spoke, but now that this is happening I would like some details.â
Janelle smiled back, âOf course, what would like to know?â
âWhy aren't you in school, now?â
âI finished early, earning my 40 credits as of February. Iâm just waiting for the graduation ceremony as a formality.â
âSo, you could start college now if you wanted to, possibly in May?â Evelyn asked.
âThat...is possible, but I havenât applied to any schools yet, Iâm taking a year off to be there for the baby.â
The mother nodded, âI see.â she took another sip, âUm, when are you due?â
âIâm 4 months, due the 2nd week of October.â Janelle replied.
âHave you thought of any names?â
âI want to be surprised so I donât know the sex yet, I havenât discussed it with Avery.â
The door unlocked and opened with Avery stepping inside. The two women turned to face him, a smile grew across his face, âJanelle!â he greeted. She stood up and the youngsters embraced.
âSchool hasnât been the same without you...everyoneâs wondering why you left, they havenât figured out you got all your credits, they donât think youâre...you know, but rumors are all over the place.â
She sighed, âGreat, wait till they see me in June with my stomach sticking out.â
âWell, donât worry about them, how are you? Howâs the baby?â he asked.
âShe smiled, I have a treat for you.â she reached into her back pocket and pulled out the sonogram printout.
His hands began to tremble as she gave it to him, from the couch Evelyn stared with a wild wide-eyed glance.
âI...I canâtâŚâ he squinted, âWhaâŚâ
She moved closer to help him, âI know itâs weird, but hereâs the headâŚâ she pointed. âThatâs the body, and the legsâŚâ
âWow, is it a boy or girl?â he asked with a grin.
âI...donât know, I want it to be a surprise.â
He looked at the printout quietly, âOur babyâŚâ he whispered. He looked up, âI...I wanna see...I wanna go to one of your appointments.â then turned to his mother who looked back and nodded.
âOkay.â Evelyn agreed.
âIâll...talk to Miss Yi and give you the address.â
They hugged again and he kissed her on her forehead, âI love you.â he whispered.
âI love you, too.â she whispered back.
Evelyn cleared her throat, then took a sip of her water. The teens broke the embrace, she looked down while he scratched the back of his head.
âUm, I should go.â Janelle said.
âYeah,â
Janelle craned her head to Evelyn, âThank you for the water, Miss Brooks.â
âTake care, child. Take care.â
Avery walked her to the door, âIâll be there.â he whispered to her before she left.
#
Lakeshia and Derrick arrived in front of their building at six thirty. After parking the car the siblings exited the vehicle and walked up the steps inside to their apartment. She jogged down the hallway on their floor and Derrick tossed her the house keys. She unlocked the door and walked in...to see her parents and her brother Quinton, who were joined by Tanya and her mother, whom she met only once.
All eyes were on her as she stood frozen in the doorway. Only Quinton was smiling, and her mother was holding up the Joy of Sex book in front of her.
âSorry.â Tanya mouthed to her with a frightened look.
Derrick closed the door and walked past her. He then grabbed Quinton by the wrist, dragging him to their bedroom as he protested furiously.
âWha...wh...what is going on?â she stammered.
âHave a seat,â Rudy ordered, âAnd weâll all find out.â
She swallowed hard and stepped forward.
The group dispersed as Lakeshia and Tanya sat next to each other on the couch. The parents all sat on chairs from the dining room table. Jennifer placed the book down on the coffee table between them.
âExplain yourself, young lady.â Lakeshiaâs mother said coldly.
She didnât know where to begin, she dared not look to Tanya for help because her mother looked just as furious as hers.
âI...Iâve been having these...feelingsâŚâ she began. âAnd I didnât know what to do, so I asked Tanya for helpâŚâ
Cynthia Brown flinched at the mention of her daughter while Rudy stole a quick glance at her.
âWhy didnât you come to us?â Jennifer asked.
Lakeshia shrugged her shoulders and looked down embarrassed.
âTanya,â Cynthia started, âWhy did you use your card to check out the book?â
âI can answer that, Miss Brown.â Jennifer explained.
âWe have restrictions on her library card.â Rudy interrupted, âWe tried to prevent this exact thing from happening.â
âThen what about school?â Cynthia asked, âI mean, I know she just turned 15, but I remember having sex-ed my freshman year in high school.â
Jennifer turned to Rudy, who thought for a moment and then nodded. âWe...pulled Lakeshia out of her sexual education classâŚâ
âMOM!â Lakeshia stood up and yelled.
â...for religious reasons.â she finished.
Lakeshia sat back down on the couch and covered her face with her hands. Tanya finally moved, turning to give her a questionable look.
Cynthia grimaced, âHuh?â
âMy wife and I are practicing Jehovahâs Witnesses.â
Lakeshia sighed as Tanya whispered, âWhoa.â
Rudy continued, âWe raise our children to respect the ideals of others, but when it comes to certain subjects, we shelter them from several aspects that public education could possibly misconstrue.â
Jennifer approached Lakeshia and kneeled to look at her face-to-face, âHoney, you know to ask us about anything...your father and I are always available to talk.â
âIâm...sorry, mom.â
Rudy pulled out his wallet, âHow many days overdue is this...book?â he asked.
Cynthia looked at Tanya who looked up at Rudy, âIf returned tomorrow the fine will be .45, Mr. Seabrooke, sir.â
He put his wallet back and took out some change. After counting two quarters, he handed them to Tanya. âPlease return this book tomorrow, and we would appreciate it if you not borrow any other books on my daughterâs behalf.â
Cynthia stood up and stepped in front of Rudy, taking the coins out of his hands, âIâll see to it that she doesnât, sir!â She turned to her daughter and tilted her head to leave. Tanya stood up and grabbed the book, then walked to her side. The two girls exchanged looks, then Cynthia led Tanya to the door. Without a word, they let themselves out.
âDid you have to tell them, Mom?â Lakeshia whined, âShe was my onlyâŚâ
Rudy pointed to her, âYou stay the hell away from her at that library, you hear?â he scolded. âGo to your room! Now!â
She quickly ran to the hallway and into her room.
Downstairs after exiting the building Cynthia said, âFucking weirdos with their pamphlets, handing out shit! Tanya, you stay the fuck away from her or you will NOT be working at that library anymore!â she threw the quarters out to the street. âYou pay for that fine yourself! You hear me?â
âYes mama!â she answered.
âThis all because of that damn date she had with that boy!â Rudy barked, he pointed and Jennifer âI told you she was too young, reading sex books, we have to nip this in the bud, Jen!â
âDid it ever occur to you that she reached out to this girl because she knew youâd react like this? Sheâs not 6-years-old anymore!â
âSheâs not 16, either! The boys were right, when Derrick was her age we made sure he didnât fall into temptationâŚâ
âThis is different, Rudy. We have to accept that she is going to discover herself. Remember the incident with her stuffing her bra with tissue paper?â
âOh geez, JenâŚâ he cringed, âMust we go over that again?â
âAll Iâm saying is we canât keep her locked in her room like Rapunzel in a tower, we have to talk to her about everything, from condoms to STDâsâŚâ
âJennifer!â he gasped.
âRudy itâs the 90âsâŚ.things are a lot different than it was for us back in the day.â
He shook his head, âI canât believe this is happening.â
âWell, letâs hope itâs for the last time.â
âHope? We ainât having any more kids, woman. 3 is enough.â
She smiled and traced her finger down his nose, âI dunno sweetie, 4 has a nice round number feel to it.â
Rudy chuckled, âThere you go, getting my blood pressure up!â
In 2004, at the dawn of the emo era in music, Good Charlotte crooned about the chronicles of life and death and everything between. Ten years before that, author Syntell Smith sets the stage for his timeless new coming-of-age novel about grieving losses large and small, aptly titled  âBook Endings: Loss, Pain and Revelations.â
The book centers on protagonist Robin Walker who the author named for the Caped Crusaderâs sidekick. True to his name, he is by all respects, a standup gentleman and stereotypical good guy who knows how to show a girl a good time. The author pens a seamless narrative â that is an arresting, endlessly entertaining emotional roller coaster ride â around the life of Grandaddy Jon in all his glory, guns blazing, until his final moments. While his grandson missed the chance to say his goodbyes by a flush (a bathroom break he didnât want to take prompted by a hospice nurse), Robin, a high school senior, navigates love and camaraderie in the concrete jungle of New York: an apropos backdrop for the so-called school of hard knocks. The book is filled with just as much sadness as it is hilarity, and spunk as evinced in witty banter shared among a motley crew of friends who offer a shoulder to cry on and the best advice for tackling those vexing adolescent quandaries. I laughed and cracked a smile just as quickly as I furrowed an eyebrow as I felt a tear come on. The author knows how to seduce just as much as he can cue the Kleenex.
This must-read, coming-of-age novel challenges the reader to look at their own life to decipher feelings from facts, and summon their inner strength to address their own grief, whatever that may be.
âThere will be a time when you believe that you are alone,â writes the author. âWhen you donât know what to do and when you donât have the answers. Youâll be searching inside yourself for guidance and the will to go on.âÂ
The authorâs vivid account of the charactersâ raw, frisky and poignant life experiences compensate for a lack of a deeper dive into character descriptions that could have further enriched the already purposeful novel. But that doesnât take away from its intrinsic value.Â