3

Natasha 

The final bell rings and kids squeal as they push the front doors open and race to the freedom that summer break brings. “Bye, Ms. Knight. What are you doing this summer?” Sarah, one of my avid readers asks as she walks slowly toward the door. 

“I’ll be reading.What else?” I tell her.  “And actually, if you're interested, the library has summer reading group Wednsdays at noon.  So come see me.” I have a feeling she doesn't have the greatest home life, or social life for that matter. I wonder if she has many friends.  

“I'll be there Ms. Knight. Maybe we can read those new werewolf books you were telling me about.” 

“Sure thing kiddo.” 

I turn and head for the bathroom where I trade my black suit skirt and yellow librarian blouse for jean shorts and a black band tee shirt. Topping the outfit off with some chunky-heeled summer sandals and tying my long amber hair into a high ponytail, I look like I’m officially kicking off summer right. 

I'll be driving North for the week, enjoying some of my own Alaska wilderness adventures before I make my annual visit to see my parents, who have relocated to Washington state.  This year, I am going to check out Chena Hot Springs and three local breweries near Fairbanks.  Fairbanks summers are as hot as the days are long. Can you believe Alaska has approximately sixty days in the summer where we have little to no darkness depending on where you are in the state? Crazy, right?  It's a little strange getting used to it, but being as I grew up here, I actually crave the long summer days. There’s nothing like gardening at midnight and not even realizing you should be in bed sleeping.  One more benefit to working for the school district-summers off! 

Sure, it would be nice to have someone to enjoy summer with, but I havent met anyone lately that will agree to my six month relationship limit, especially as I get older and all the age-appropriate men are looking to settle down with long term partners. More like looking for someone to take care of their old, grumpy asses.  The last thing I need is an old man that wants to hang around watching television and complain about his gastrointestinal problems. Or his back problems.  Why do all the men in their forties have back problems? I’m still active-I still like to camp and hike.  I need someone who can keep up with me and lately those men are few and far between.  

As far as the six-month rule, I know it sounds dumb. But, think about it, if you only date someone for six months, you can keep it casual.  You never really get too attached which means you can have fun and don't have to always worry about something traumatic happening to them. I feel like after the six month mark, there’s just no going back.  You’re suckered in as your lives merge, your own happiness dependent on their safety, their existence.  

Me and my brother were best friends.  I don't think I would survive if I let myself get attached like that to someone again, just to have my heart shattered when the inevitable happens. And the inevitable always happens.  Life taught me that lesson young, too young.  It took me years of  therapy to get where I am. To get to a place in life where I can enjoy the pleasures of life like gardening and hiking and taking a six hour road trip in my new Corvette, with a brand new thermochromatic aquamarine paint job (did I mention that?). 

By the time I box up the rest of my supplies and shut down the library computer system for the year, I am practically running to the parking lot.