"Bill, what're you doing here?"

Jenny was staring at him, wide-eyed, looking back and forth between the slight figure before her and the towering shelves on either side. She approached him cautiously, like one would approach a frightened animal, inching slowly as Bill twitched. 

Jenny wasn't expecting to find him there--the library was the last place she ever thought she'd run into Bill. Jenny was so alarmed that she'd forgotten why she came in the first place. She was calculating how fast the ambulance could get here, how fast she could get his therapist on the phone, how fast she could talk him out of it when there were so many around. Then, something truly disconcerting happened.

Bill smiled.

"We have to get you out of here," Jenny had reached the table where Bill sat and was tugging on his button-down sleeve, "c'mon, let me help you."

Bill gently removed her hand. "It's okay Jenny, I'm fine, This," he gestured to the room, "is...normal now."

"How?" Jenny had backed up to get a better look, to make sure it was really Bill, her Bill, and not some imposter. "The last time you even saw one I had to pry you off of the nearest light pole."

Bill patted the seat next to him. "I'm okay, really. As long as I don't touch them I'm okay."

Jenny sighed and slid into the old wooden chair. Bill still looked comfortable, smiling amicably, holding his hands loosely in his lap. The only residue of his condition was an occasional eye twitch or sharp breath that was quickly smoothed over.

Jenny swallowed and let her mind spin. "Did Dr. Hartsworth finally find a medication for you?"

"Nope, no drugs," he held out his hands triumphantly, "I didn't even take ibuprofen today."

Rubbing her temples, Jenny asked, "Then how are you here right now?"

Bill spoke solemnly. "I finally have a reason to try."

Jenny's eyes widened.

"You mean--"

"Yes. But don't make a big deal out of it please--"

"--who is she--"

"--Shh!" Bill swatted at her until she quieted.

A woman's silhouette leaned out from behind a bookshelf. "Hey Bill, could you and your friend maybe step into one of our conference rooms?" She stepped nimbly into the light. "It may offer more privacy."

"Carmen?" Jenny raised her eyebrows in shock.

"Oh!" Carmen smiled and joined them at the table. "Bill, I didn't know you were acquainted with Jennifer!"

Bill's twitching began to increase. "She's an old friend."

"Same here."

Jenny's eyes were still wide, "I haven't seen you since, what? The last high school reunion?'

Carmen laughed. "Yeah, the one where Mark and Jimmy got too drunk and started brawling at the restaurant just like old times."

Both women stared off into the distance, reminiscing.

Jenny glanced at Bill then drew in a sharp breath. Carmen was holding a book in the crook of her arm. Bill's eyes were unblinking as he stared, frozen. Carmen shifted her weight and the book bumped into Bill's shoulder.

"Oh, sorry, Bill." Carmen shifted back, but it was too late.

Bill looked to Jenny for a split-second before it started. His whole body seemed to erupt at the touch, a scream was ringing in the small space and Jenny had to reach out quickly to catch Bill's body as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Jenny laid Bill gently on the ground then looked sharply at Carmen. "Call 9-1-1. He'll be okay, this isn't the first time."

Carmen nodded firmly and whipped out her phone. Jenny talked quietly to Bill, saying the things his therapist had instructed her to say when he had an episode. By the time the ambulance arrived, he had started to come to. The paramedics strapped him in and raised him into the truck.

One of the paramedics waved and called out, "See you at the hospital, Jenny!"

She and Bill had become regulars at the ER.

Carmen was standing very still off to one side, watching as the ambulance pulled away. Jenny stood beside her, giving her space to speak.

"Wh-what happened?"

Jenny sighed. "You probably don't know this, but Bill has a severe phobia of books."

"What?!" Carmen sat down in a nearby chair. "Then, then why was he at a library?"

"Well," Jenny laughed then glanced at Carmen meaningfully, "I think he was here to see you."

"Really?" Carmen's ears turned pink.

"Really." Jenny glanced at her watch. "Do you want to come with to the hospital? I can drive you."

Carmen nodded, "Just let me punch out and grab my coat."

Jenny smiled as she walked away. Finally her best friend had found someone. Jenny slipped out her phone and sent a quick text.

Jenny:

Guess who's coming with to the hospital

Bill:

you didn't

got me a little librarian in tow

*sigh* you did

Cheer up

I can tell she likes you

Really?

really

Jenny looked up. "Ready?"

Carmen nodded and they both walked out of the library and into the fall sunshine.