10,000 miles

5 : Debt

Lily 

The next morning I was already up.

Of course, I was tormented by nightmares and sleeplessness because of last night's events, but I didn't want to live in fear forever.

What I saw - I had to forget it.

After making my daily morning routine, I was finally ready to go to work. After checking that I had not forgotten something, I went out.

Grabbing a hot caramel latte along the way, I got to the library at a fairly fast pace. The first place I always went was Jerry's office, who was now sorting some papers on the table. When he heard me he lifted his head up and when he realized it was me, Jerry smiled.

Small wrinkles appeared under his eyes, showing how old he really was, but that alone made me smile.

"Good morning, Jerry," waiting for me to come up to him, one eyebrow rose up in surprise when he looked more closely at me.

Of course, I noticed that.

"What?"

He shook his head slowly, narrowing his small eyes, " It is my imagination or you really look like you haven't been sleeping at all? I can see the blue circles under your eyes," concluded, I heard worry and concern in his tone. At first I was confused until I realized what this was about and lightly laughed it off.

"It's okay, Jerry. Really. Don't worry about me, I just went to sleep pretty late so yeah, maybe that's why..." Trying to change the subject for this conversation, I nodded at his papers, which he still held in his hands, " What is that? I can help if you want. Sorting them out, maybe?" with a hopeful tone, I watched as the man thoughtfully lowered his eyes at them, as if only now remembering them.

Not knowing what to answer, I would guess that something was wrong if I didn't know him that well.

Getting closer, I moved my eyes across the table and looked at the copied text to read what was written there, " Is everything alright? You know that you can trust me and say what is on your heart. I can't help if you keep silent," fearing the worst, I waited for a response. He sighed heavily and fell down in his work chair.

"Yes, sweetheart, I didn't want you to worry but I'm afraid I can't keep secrets from you any longer. I fear, the government will take away my property rights because I am not able to pay the rent anymore. I am already in debt for the last six months, " After finally telling the truth, my heart seemed to stop.

What? In debt?

"But..how? How is that possible?" I was shocked. The library receives a monthly payment , the income source to provide children with books that can be read on the spot or can be borrowed at home. There is no way because every time I check our monthly bill and it is the same. Nothing changes but maybe I don't know something.

Jerry's stare is full of guilt and sadness.

" I'm so sorry, little Lily, I took out the loan several months ago because they increased the rent. Now I am in debt because the payment is down due to credit. I'm sorry I lied all this time, but all the real settlements came to me. I didn't want you to know and worry even more. You know that I love you like my own granddaughter."

I was hurt, of course, but I didn't want to release my emotions now. There were more important things to worry about now.

"How much we are in debt?" my voice came out broken but I was strong enough to hold it in place.

He closes his eyes," Eighteen thousands."

How do we pay all that?