Nala Raines

My name is Sharai. I was a staff member of Patmos Library, and this is why I quit.

What started with a controversial book has become something so much more. Back in 2020 the book Gender Queer put Patmos on the news because of the controversy around it. Thus began a three-year campaign to defund the library. There have also been attempts to censor the materials that come into the library. Four years later…

In November of 2024, a new board of trustees was elected to oversee the library. These board members have made it clear they had every intention of censoring the materials that came into the library as a part of their campaign…

Since then, the members of the board have been harassing the staff members. I’ve witnessed several conversations where a board member was attempting to bully Kylie and Zoe. The board member’s tone and body language were hostile, whereas Zoe and Kylie were open, trying to have a conversation, not a confrontation. We had respect for the authority, but they were attempting to tell us what to think and what to say.                                

In January, the board had charged Zoe to come up with a vacation time policy for those who worked part-time. Four months later, nothing was finalized after Zoe changed the policy to their specifications multiple times.

I have watched both Kylie and Zoe go home upset after meeting with a board member. I’ve also witnessed more than one board meeting bring one or both of them to tears. With each meeting with a board member, it became more toxic, and the morale got worse and worse. Until…

Friday, May 9th, we reached our breaking point.

As to why I quit:

I was going to stay until a board member, who did not know my name, had come in and yelled, “If you quit, get out!” She then pointed at me, “Did you quit?” in the same tone. 

It had already been a very emotional day, and I was clearly very emotional (which was confirmed by my former coworkers). The way she spoke scared me. I went to the break room, crying and panicking. Michaela and Zoe followed me, staying with me while I called a friend to try and calm down.

Until then, I was willing to stay at least through the weekend. But it then became very clear. I would be alone. When my friend got to the library, she stayed close while I spoke to another board member (who had come in to help).

I told her that the board member who had told everyone to leave had scared me. I no longer felt safe, and I would not continue working at the library.

This is only what I have seen, and I know that a lot more has happened. But my job was to check out books. It did not matter what the book was about; if you wanted to read it, I was going to help you get it. That was my job.

The board’s job (as a whole) was to oversee the director and ensure that taxpayers’ money was going to what the community wanted in the library. But that’s not what the board was doing - it was way more, and none of it was ethical.

I won’t speak to things I don’t fully understand. However,  I have some links I will post in the comments with information about the library board guidelines and the oath of public officers in the State of Michigan, which have been violated.. I would not stay and work under a board of people who were already censoring materials, intentionally not stocking, or making it difficult to retrieve items for patrons, all for the sake of meeting an agenda that was becoming more and more obvious, especially given the actions taken since their recent addition to the staff. I couldn’t stay knowing I was alone with a board that would lie or withhold from the public, and bully the staff.

 I want to thank everyone who went to Patmos Library. It was a pleasure getting to know you all and seeing you all. I will miss seeing you guys. 

Things to pin in a comment:

(page 2, last paragraph) (page 3, paragraph 4 & 6)

“Of course, I do. I just… it wasn’t the fact they were talking about their husbands’ work, it was that I know so little about politics as a whole. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of you Adrian, but each time I try to wrap my head around anything, even the things you explain to me, it just doesn’t stick.” She explained, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“Nala, we’ve been over this. I don’t care if you understand politics or not. That’s not why I married you.”

“I know, but still. You’ve been a Senator for two years, you’d think I’d pick up more than just a bunch of names of other Senators.”

Adrian just shook his head, “Need I remind you that you’ve been running a multi-billion dollar company, that has partnerships and offices in multiple countries?”

“Well, Kamilah helps with a lot of that too.”

“You’re selling yourself short again.” He says, giving you a chastizing look. “Kamilah does help with the company, but at most, she’s a senior VP. You are the one who has been running it for two years.” He says, before pulling into their driveway. Once the car was parked he fully turned to her. “I know that you’ve tried to learn about politics, even specific areas like conservation or foreign affairs. You may not have understood, but you tried, and that’s what matters.”

Nala grinned at Adrian before saying, “Well, I try because I love you.”

“And I appreciate that because I love you too.” He said, before kissing her, “Now let’s go inside.”

“I can wear heels for hours, but nylons drive me crazy.”

“Then why do you wear them?”

“Because layers. I’m from Michigan, in the winter, layers are your friend.”

Adrian shook his head, before getting out of the car, walking around, and opening Nala’s door. He wraps his arm around her waist as they walk into their home. The moment they walked through the door, Nala removed her heels and began to make her way to their bedroom, Adrian following close behind her.

Once they got to their bedroom, Nala put her shoes at the bottom of her closet and tried to unzip her dress.

“Allow me,” Adrian offered as he gently unzipped her dress and helped her out of it.

“Thank you, baby…”

“My pleasure.”

She then put the dress in the hamper and grabbed her favorite PJs. Solid red, with Christmas trees all over.

“It’s a bit early, isn’t it? For our Christmas pajamas?”

“Nope.” She said as she grabbed his matching set and handed it to him. Before she walked into the adjoining bathroom.

Adrian undid his tie and removed his blazer as Nala removed her makeup and got ready for bed. As Adrian was about to walk into the bathroom, Nala walked into the doorway and looked around the bedroom.

“What are you doing?” Adrian asked confused.

“I feel like I’m forgetting something. And I’m pretty sure it’s important” She said sounding very concerned. “Didn’t I bring a clutch or purse to that party?”

“Not this time, you asked if I could hold onto your phone, ID, and lip tint, which…” He said pulling out her phone and lip tint, before pulling out his wallet and removing her ID. “Are all present and accounted for.”

She nodded her head, but before she could press further, she let out a big yawn.

“Come on, let's get you into bed.”

“But… “ She tries to argue before yawning again.

“Not tonight.”

“It’s important, and I know I’ll feel like an idiot for forgetting whatever I’m forgetting.” She said as her eyes drooped once she sat on the bed.

“Nala, love, I promise you, it’s ok. You’ve had a long few days, between traveling for Dark Solstice and all the Christmas parties. Now rest, I’ll be with you momentarily.” He told her as she lay down and he kissed her.

“Ok…”

By the time Adrian had finished his nighttime routine, three minutes later, Nala was completely asleep. As he laid down he wrapped his arms around her, he smiled softly, before kissing her head and whispering, “Happy Anniversary, My Love.”

❄❄❄

Nala woke up the next morning, with Adrian’s arms wrapped around her. His chest pressed to her back, and she turned her head to say good morning, but surprisingly his eyes were still closed.

‘Looks like I wasn’t the only one who’s had a long week.’ She thought recalling their conversation last night. Before nestling back into his arms, she grabbed her phone, which she noticed Adrian had plugged in before coming to bed. She turned on her phone and pulled up her calendar, to see if she had any meetings she had to get ready for.

But she didn’t see any meetings or notes for the day. Only the date itself, December 24th, Christmas Eve, the day AFTER her wedding anniversary.

Nala shot up in her bed, putting her head in her hands. The sudden move wakes Adrian, causing him to sit up and scan the room. When he sees how Nala is holding her head, his concern increases.

“Nala, what’s wrong?” He asks putting a hand on her back, lowering his head to try and see her face.

“I am so sorry.” She said, moving her hands to wipe the tears away.

“Sorry? Why are you sorry?” Adrian asked cupping her face in his hands, wiping her tears away with his thumbs. “Honey, talk to me.”

“Today’s Christmas Eve.” She said still weeping.

“It is,” He said confused. “We talked about it being just us this year. Have you changed your mind?”

“It’s not that. If today is Christmas Eve then yesterday was our anniversary.” She explained, before looking into Adrian’s eyes, “I forgot our wedding anniversary.”

Adrian’s heart cracked, “Sweetheart it’s alright…” 

“It’s not “alright”, Adrian. It was our second wedding anniversary. It’s important, to me.” She said looking away again.

“It’s important to me as well,” He tried to assure her, “however, you were mentally and emotionally drained, not to mention falling asleep while we were talking.”

“I know but still…” Nala said dejectedly.

Adrian pulled his wife into his chest, rubbing her back comfortingly. Giving her time to calm down. He knew that she would feel bad about forgetting their anniversary, but he truly didn’t blame her. Of course, it stung yesterday morning when she didn’t say anything about it, but he had noticed that she seemed a little… scattered lately. He chalked it up to all of the back-to-back Senators’ parties and traveling to New York and back for more parties.

“Adrian…” Nala called softly, pulling back, so she could look into Adrian’s eyes, “I am really sorry.”

“It’s alright, I know you’ll make it up to me.” He said jokingly, with a small grin before kissing her forehead.

“I can do that now.” She said before getting up at handing him two gifts. “I didn’t completely forget. I just forgot what day it was.”

Adrian smiled, before setting the gifts, and getting the two gifts he got for her. “Great minds think alike.” He said,  before setting the gifts in front of her, leaning forward and kissing his beloved wife. “You first.”

Nala chuckles, “You always say that.” she says before picking up the smaller of the two boxes and ripping the decorative paper. When she opened the box, she saw a silver bracelet with a heart-shaped lock and a necklace with a black key.

“Adrian, they’re beautiful.” She said, slipping both on.

“They’re his and hers set.” When he said that, she looked at his wrist and saw a bracelet matching hers, but black instead of silver, and a silver key around his neck.

“I love them.” She said smiling. Adrian then handed her the bigger box. “Let me guess something cotton…”

He just laughed as she tore off the paper, but when she saw the image on the box her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped. She stared at her gift for a minute. Then she gently sat the gift down, before tackling Adrian to the bed, kissing him, before she pulled back and squealed.

“THANK YOU! Oh my GOSH! This isn’t a joke is it?!” She said excitedly concerned.

“I would never do that to you.” He said, seriously.

Adrian had gotten Nala a Jedi Temple Lego set. Over 3,700 pieces, and guaranteed to entertain Nala for hours, while she hyper-focuses on the build that will be in their living room or dining room table for months. He remembered when she brought home the Office Lego set, he just watched as channeled her inner child and laughed at every other reference she found or moment she recreated. He loved how happy it made her, as he loved her.

“Perhaps, I can help you this time.” He offered.

“I would love that,” She said turning the box so she could see the different areas she would build. “Now open yours.”

He wasted no time, in grabbing a box and tearing the paper, and finding a clear-lidded box, holding a gold pocket watch. He smirked as he opened the box and took out the watch, “Are you trying to tell me something?”

“No… But you should check the time.” He immediately clicked the button, finding a picture of them, from three years ago, at their first Christmas together.

“Nala, it’s perfect. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now this one.” She said carefully handing him the other gift.

He took and opened the box, removed the tissue paper, and paused.

“Do you like it?” Nala asked hesitantly.

Adrian looked at her, his eyes both happy and sad. As he pulled out a framed drawing of Elenor holding Charles, his wife, and son, from his days as a human.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I saw the locket on your desk when we first moved here and wanted a bigger picture to put with the other pictures of our friends and family.

“Nala…” 

“Before you start, they are still your family and they became my family when we got married. Alive or gone, they are a part of you.”

“I love it.” He said simply, a tear slipping down his cheek. “Thank you.” He said, wrapping his arms around her. He held her for a minute before  Nala pulled back and kissed him.

“Now come on, let’s build the Jedi Temple, she said hopping up and grabbing the box.

“You need to eat.”

“I’ll eat when we’re done.” She said walking towards the dining room.

“I am going to make breakfast you get started without me.” He said smiling at her.

“Fine, but put the frame up by my grandparent's picture first.” She countered.

“So, that’s why you moved the frames around.” He said walking to the shelves with all of the pictures of friends and family.

“Yep,” Nala said, after setting the box down and joining Adrian, who was staring at the picture.

“What did I do you ever deserve you?” He asked while she wrapped her arms around him.

“I was going to ask the same thing. Merry Christmas, Adrian.”

“Merry Christmas, Love.”

@mynotsohealthyobsession