Lexi (Short Story)

Lexi

The sun was steadily rising and beginning to shine through the three large windows in the front of the library. Lexi awoke from her sleep. Lexi sat on the shelf all alone, thinking about the days which had brought her to this point…

Lexi once belonged to a young boy, who was not a “book” person. She recalled when she was purchased from the book store: how she was wrapped in decorative paper, and placed under a pine tree at her first owners’ house. Lexi couldn`t forget how exciting it was to have the red and green wrapping paper peeled off her face, and meet her new owner. The boy was less excited at her arrival, and didn`t even open Lexi on that first day.

Lexi spent a great deal of time, sitting with a couple textbooks, on a shelf (in the young boys’ room). The textbooks were friendly and welcoming, but they explained that the young boy “Timmy” didn’t enjoy books. Lexi chuckled at her naïve response to their statement, in retrospect… “But I am an amazing book. I`m sure he`ll read and use me!” Lexi exclaimed to the textbooks. “Oh, he`ll USE you alright!” a large history book chuckled.

Lexi didn`t understand the comment at first; but over the course of the next few days, she understood the full context of “use”. One day, Timmy pulled Lexi out of the pile; and Lexi was certain it would be the first time Timmy and her journeyed together. Timmy and Lexi, sat in the living room (where Lexi had first arrived). Lexi was placed on the coffee table; and before she could understand what was happening, she felt a glass of icy red liquid placed on her face.

Lexi felt binding-broken; as she watched Timmy sit for hours, playing with a piece of rectangular plastic. Timmy was mesmerized by a bunch of bright flashing lights, from a large screen on the wall. Timmy eventually left the room, and disappeared for the rest of the afternoon. Lexi spent the whole afternoon alone in the living room, as the condensation from the glass of liquid fell onto her face. “He must have had an emergency” Lexi kept telling herself in denial. “Yea, he had very important human business to deal with” Lexi reasoned (hoping that this was the reason for boys’ neglect). 

Timmy returned at nightfall. Lexi was still hopeful (though overwhelmed by doubt), that NOW would be their time together. Lexi remembered the elation she felt, as Timmy approached the table. Timmy picked up his warm glass of juice, looked at Lexi for a moment, and then left the room in silence. If Lexi could cry, she would have. The circular ring of moisture on Lexis’ face, would be a scar that she kept for her entire life. Lexi spent the entire evening in the cold, and dark living room. Her only comfort that night, was the thought: “At least it could not possible get worse that this”. Over the next couple of months, Timmy would prove that theory to be false.

The duration of her time with Timmy, was filled with misery and torture. Lexi spent most of her time as a coaster for the child`s drinks. On occasion she was used as a fly swatter. Lexi had also been used to prop open windows, was thrown around in anger, and a couple times as a tray for a hamburger and french fries. The final insult was when Lexi was placed under the boys’ bed, to level out an uneven leg. Lexi wished she had never been printed.

All she could think, during that time in her life was: “Is this what it truly means to be a book”? Did they stare at Lexi and inspect her - wondering if she`d make a good coaster? She wondered if, that was what all the shoppers at the bookstore bought books for? Lexi was tortured by Timmy, for about a year; when finally, she was thrown into the backseat of a car (by the boys’ father). “This is it!” Lexi thought. Lexi was ready to be taken to wherever unloved books go to die.

Lexi was filled with a fearful anticipation, as the car drove along. “What happens next.” Kept replaying in her head. The father stopped the car (after an hour or so), and went into the backseat to pick up Lexi. Lexi and the father travelled towards an old building. The first thing Lexi observed (about the building) was three arches with large glass windows in them. The father brought Lexi inside, and to her surprise the entire building was filled with other books.

The father walked up to a counter, and handed Lexi to a man called “Drew”. The humans chatted (something Lexi would realize humans do quite a bit) and after a few moments, Drew picked up Lexi. Drew placed Lexi on a desk. “Welcome to the library!” Drew said. Lexi responded with, “pleased to meet, you”! Lexi knew humans couldn`t “hear” books (unless they used their eyes); but something in the librarians’ smile, made Lexi feel, he did understand. 

Lexi was cataloged and placed to the side to join other books, who were being placed in the library. Lexi watched as the piles of books were being carried off by the other librarians, who worked in this haven for books. Lexi was about to be picked up, and she was filled with a joyous expectancy. A tall slender woman with glasses, was about to place her on the book-cart, when Drew called out “wait”. Lexi was filled with instantaneous dread, wondering if she hadn`t made the cut. Were her words not enjoyable enough? How could Drew know if he hadn`t even read her yet? Perhaps, it was her tattered condition (that ugly circular scar), which was about to prevent her addition to the library. These questions, and more raced through her mind.

“Bring that one here, I`d like to read it.” Drew, continued. Lexi thought she had been brought from a nightmare, and placed into a dream. Was Drew making a joke, she wondered. The tall woman brought Lexi over to Drew, and Drew took the book with care. Drew inspected Lexi for a few, then began reading her. For the next couple hours Lexi was in pure bliss; as Drew read from her, in between writing and doing his job. Lexi finally had her first reader, and (in her opinion) could not have choose a better candidate as her first. “You are an absolutely amazing book.” Drew told Lexi lovingly, as he closed her cover. It was very late and the library was getting ready to close.

Drew placed Lexi on his desk, and prepared to leave. The other librarians had already left and Drew walked around turning off the electronic screens and shutting off the lights above. Afterwards, Drew returned to his desk (and Lexi) and picked up his book-bag. “Goodnight…” Drew said to Lexi, “… Tomorrow is your big day. I`m sure everyone will love you, I know I did”. Lexi watched as Drew left and locked the front doors. Lexi didn`t care what anyone else thought about her, she was glad that Drew enjoyed what she had to offer. Lexi was ecstatic to finally have a loving home, and to have someplace she belonged.

The next morning came, and Lexi was greeted by Drew. He moved Lexi to the front of the library, and placed her on her own shelf, which provided her with a perfect view of the front of the library. There were books all around, but two of the closest books were: an autobiography by a man named “Benjamin Franklin”, and the other book was about some Lord and Rings (Lexi would find out from the “Lord” that he was actually a collection of several books in one).

“How are you today? I`m Lexi.” She said, introducing herself. Both of the other books responded that they were well, and introduced themselves. The trio of books exchanged stories, as the day passed. Lexi explained the bookstore and Timmy. Lexi found out “Lord”, as the book like to be called (since it was too long to name every book, which composed him), was from a bookstore as well. The autobiography was written long ago by a famous respected human (Lexi decided his nickname would be Ben). Ben and Lexi related, since he came from an abusive owner as well. Lexi was sad, but also a bit relieved to find out that other books had suffered like her; but still found a loving home. Ben also explained that this was his second time in a library, and the last library he was at “Shut down”. Lexi didn`t really understand what Ben meant, but was too overwhelmed to ask what he meant. The books chatted all day, as people came and went (occasion picking them up, and flipping through their pages).

When closing time arrived, Lexi took a moment to watch Drew as he closed the library. Drew didn`t look as happy, as he did the last time Lexi saw him. Lexi thought the man looked almost as if he was going to cry; then the lights shut off, and Drew shuffled away into the darkness. Lexi didn`t have time to think about Drew, since she still wanted to know what Ben meant by: “Shut down”. Lexi asked Ben, and Ben explained that: the last library he was at was really enjoyable for a while, until one day books began disappearing from the shelves. Normally when books disappear they would return after a couple day, but near the end of his time at the library; three-quarters of the books had disappeared and were never heard from again. The books that were left, had many theories about what happened to the other books; the most frightening idea was that they were burned.

 “No way” Lexi told Ben, “Humans wouldn`t be so cruel”. Ben explained that he didn`t believe it until a book called “Encylos” explained that, book burnings have happened in the past. Lexi asked Ben what he thought happened. She waited for his answer with a heart full of fear. After a few moments of silence, Ben answered stating he didn`t “like speculation, without implicit stipulation”. Lexi barely knew what to make of this answer, but tried to just focus on falling asleep.

The days flew by and the group grew closer. After a week Lexi noticed that she had not seen Drew. She pondered about what might have happened to him. The next week Lord was taken away by a man covered in tattoos. Lexi though the worst might have happened to Lord, but was relieved when he came back a week later. Lord explained how the man with tattoos read him non-stop, and treated Lord to a tattoo of his own (Lord now had a small red star engraved on his back). Ben looked at the sight with disgust, but Lexi thought it looked cool and loving. Lexi wondered if perhaps one day, Drew would tattoo her (if the man ever returned).

Lexi had been enjoying her time in the library so much, she almost forgot that life held pain as well as pleasure.  Ben was taken out by an older woman; and as he left the trio, Ben said “See you in a week”. “See ya, have fun Ben.” Lexi called back. That was the last time Lexi saw Ben. Three weeks had passed, since the woman took Ben. Both Lexi and Lord were downtrodden, to have lost their friend. Lexi wondered if perhaps Ben had been burned, and Lord did his best to comfort her; but strange things were occurring at the library. The amount of librarians was growing smaller and less each day. Many of the books on the shelves were taken out, and hadn`t returned in weeks.

Things kept getting worse, and more books were disappearing. Finally, the man with tattoos returned, and picked up Lord. “I`ll try and get him to get you as well Lexi, stay positive whatever happens.” Lord shouted, as he was taken away. “I`ll miss you, and thanks! You are a great story and an awesome friend!” Lexi replied, but deep inside she knew Lord could not save her. Lexi remained at the library, as almost all the books were taken out. Somehow Lexi knew, she wouldn`t see any of them again. Closing time and the night arrived, and the slender woman was closing up. Before she left she said to Lexi “It looks like it`s just you, and the rest of the reference section left. Don`t worry I know a home for you if no one takes you tomorrow”. Lexi was hopeful, but felt too depressed to even respond.

…Lexi sat on the shelf all alone, thinking about the days which had brought her to this point. The next morning the last of the books were taken and so were the tables and other decorations. It was as if the building was being stripped of anything of value… everything, except Lexi. Lexi wondered if the woman would keep her promise. Lexi also figured: She had enjoyed a vivid life for a book, and made many new friends. If she was going to be burned; at least she had enjoyed good company, and had been read thoroughly by Drew. Just as that thought occurred; the woman with glasses came in, and quickly grabbed Lexi, throwing her into a leather purse. Lexi was so excited, she knew this woman wouldn`t burn her; even if she was never read again, at least she would now have a safe home somewhere out there.

Alexis entered her apartment, and chuckled at a man crouched over a notebook writing poetry. “Drew!” Alexis shouted, “Found a new job yet babe?” she asked. “No – just been writing, ya know.” Drew said, in a melancholy tone. “Oh well - you`ll find one. By the way, I stopped by the closing of the library, and picked up an old friend for you.” Alexis said. “Huh?” Drew asked confused, but with great anticipation. Alexis opened her bag, and placed the book on top of his pile of poems. “The dictionary!” Drew exclaimed “You’re the best”! From that day forward Alexis, Drew, and Lexi spent the rest of their days, filled with love.

Composed By: Andrew Drucker