Marked Northern Shifters 1

redirected the conversation back to the library. “Reading Hour is a good outreach program.”
He had no resources for something like teacher’s college, but balked at discussing that with ever-curious Sharon. Before she could launch into her useless teacher’s college spiel, Alec asked, “Ever meet a Liam?” Alec rather hoped Liam was some burly genial guy well known at the library.
Sharon gave the question some thought. “Once. Ten years ago. A boy.”
“Huh.” The golden Liam might have been a boy ten years ago, but this really wasn’t relevant. Remembering Liam’s shaking hand, Alec frowned.
“Hey, he’s not worth it if he doesn’t appreciate you.”
“Nah. I don’t even know him.”
But evidently Ira knew Liam, or his namesake.
The following week, Mrs. Sellers’ class trooped into the library. Breaking formation, Ira ran to Alec, who had not yet entered the kids’ area. Mrs. Sellers liked to settle the class before Alec came in. She looked sharply in Ira’s direction, but didn’t call him back. He stopped inches away to stare at Alec’s stomach.
“Hey, Ira. What’s up?”
Ira raised his face. His big chocolate eyes, hot with angry pain, locked on to Alec’s.
“Is something wrong, bud?” Alec asked softly.
Very slowly, Ira nodded.
Then Mrs. Sellers arrived by them. “Ira, honey—”
“Mr. Alec”—Ira’s voice shook with rage—“ is happy to see me.” This announced while he glared at Alec, daring him to refute his statement.
“Of course he is,” Mrs. Sellers replied.
“Sure am,” agreed Alec. Since Ira seemed about to unravel, Alec broke his personal don’t-initiate-contact-with-kids rule and placed a hand on Ira’s shoulder. Though the boy quivered under Alec’s palm, he moved slightly closer.
“And my brother does not want to get rid of me.” Ira’s voice went higher. “He does not! He likes me!”
“Your brother loves you very much, Ira, and you mustn’t listen to someone who doesn’t know better. Okay?” Mrs. Sellers’ gentle voice had steel behind it. Someone was in trouble and it wasn’t Ira, who gulped big breaths while he nodded. “Now come with me. Mr. Alec will be with us shortly.”
Ira hesitated, gazing up at Alec, eyes going wider, if that was possible. “Sometimes, I remember you,” he whispered.
Both Mrs. Sellers and Alec frowned as Ira pressed his face against Alec’s stomach and inhaled, as if breathing Alec in. Not unpleasant, but rather disconcerting because Alec couldn’t make sense of it.
“Of course you remember me, Ira.” Alec patted his shoulder.
“I remember you again,” Ira explained into Alec’s shirt.
“Ira, come now,” Mrs. Sellers demanded in a no-nonsense voice.
The boy obediently stepped away from Alec and followed his teacher back to the class. Alec tried not to feel uneasy.
Mrs. Sellers usually insisted the children take turns sitting next to Alec, but today Ira again claimed Alec’s right-hand side, looking fiercely possessive. After Alec read, one of the mothers distracted Ira so Mrs. Sellers could speak with Alec.
“I just want to thank you for being so good to Ira. Not everyone has your patience and understanding.”
“Ira doesn’t require much patience.”
She smiled, her doubt evident. “He’s a good boy, if puzzling. And he’s insecure. His brother became his guardian just last year and the situation is still new. Unfortunately another child decided Ira should be teased about this.”
While Alec appreciated the information, he suspected Mrs. Sellers shouldn’t really share Ira’s personal information.
Lowering her voice, she added, “The truth is, Ira hasn’t latched onto anyone like you. I can only get so close to him. He’s wary and uncomfortable. So I appreciate you going above and beyond your librarian duties.”
Alec shook his head. He wasn’t exactly a librarian. He shelved books for minimum wage. But his pride wouldn’t allow him to argue the point and he let Mrs. Sellers take her leave.
As the children walked out into the October sun, he waved goodbye.
The following week was the last for the class till spring and Alec felt a pang of regret. He’d miss the kids, Ira was in tears, and Alec himself felt sad. Sandy gave him a big hug and presumably she was a leader because four of her friends promptly hugged Alec, too. The whole time Ira stood beside Alec, absolutely miserable.
Alec had to make this parting a little less than tragic. “Hey, buddy, come visit the library outside of school.