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Brenda Books had many books she wanted to finish reading: Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and all the Harry Potter books. She checked out these books from the library a while back and she was still working her way through them. Charlotte’s Web was the book she had checked out the longest time ago and it was due at the library today. She realized this at about 2 P.M. during Ms. Applewood’s class.

She kept stalling and waiting to turn in this book because she wanted to finish it, but, at the same time, she wanted to finish many other books, too. She got sidetracked and now here she was with an unfinished book that she had to turn in as soon as she got home. It was not a pleasant feeling. She knew her mother would not be happy about it either.

She was at the part in the story where Wilbur made it to the fair, and now she was not going to find out how it ended until the next time she checked out this book again. This made her very upset, but she also knew she could only read so many words in a day and she was doing the best she could. Ah, so many books, so little time to read them, she sighed to herself.

“Hi, Mom. I have a library book that is due today,” she said as soon as she walked in the door after the school bus dropped her off.

“You do! What book is that? It’s now almost 5 p.m. and traffic is heavy,” her Mom said.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I really wanted to finish reading this book. I thought I could do it, and now it’s due.”

“Grab your book and let’s go to the local library now.”

“But it’s due to the main library, not the local library. I’m not sure they can take it there.”

“The local library is closer, so we’ll try there first. They can probably send it to the main library.”

“I hope so,” Brenda said a little worried. She felt bad that she was causing trouble for her Mom. She wanted to finish reading this book so bad and it just didn’t work out for her this time.

The street was full of cars racing by and waiting in lines to turn. It was definitely rush hour, which actually meant things went slower than usual.

It was getting dark outside quicker than usual, too, because it was January 20. That was just one more thing they had to deal with. She and her Mom made it to the library at 5:35 P.M. The library closed at 9 P.M. Now for the moment of truth. They walked up to the desk a little breathlessly as if they were at the finish line.

“I would like to check in this book today because it is due today, but it is from the main library,” Brenda said as fast as she could as if this would help her turn in the book quicker.

“I cannot check it in because we have different computer systems,” the library aide said as Brenda stood there speechless. “We’ll have to ship it out and that will take another day. However, I will fill out a slip that says you turned it in today, so you will not be charged a fine.”

Brenda felt relieved, but still a little uncertain if it would work. “Do you think we need to drive it to the main library?” she asked her Mom.

“No, it is okay to leave it here. Like she said, they will take care of it.”

“Okay, Mom,” Brenda said as she turned back to the library aide. “Thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome,” the library aide answered her with a smile.

Brenda had successfully turned in her library book before the deadline. It wasn’t a smooth finish. She had to have faith in the local library as her book was now in their hands, but she did it. It all worked out. She turned in the book. And she could always check it out again later to find out what happens to Wilbur. Thank goodness for the library, she thought. She loved it so much!

Question: Do you remember a library book you turned in late or almost late? What was it? You can leave a comment by clicking here.