PinkPlum

And the answer is, we don't.

The unhoused people who come here seeking refuge 99% of the time understand that they will be kicked out if they misbehave.

The people you have to watch out for are Jessica, who only came because the kid she didn't want had to visit for a homework assignment and she just *needs* to yell at her child for asking to borrow two books or stay an extra five minutes, or Michael, who came in to look at porn on our computers for whatever fucking reason, or Karen who just wanted to come by to throw a fit that the particular book she wanted was checked out and harrass our staff about our collection being too limited.

And we did what we could to help. He was incredibly kind and patient despite his obvious anxiety and stress, more than most able bodied, housed patrons are to us under much less dire conditions. I liked knowing that we were the first place he came.

We have so many people like this who come in everyday. Many are quiet and keep to themselves, but sometimes they talk to us.

They tell us about how they're taking a few courses on a scholarship they applied for from our library's computer at the local community college to get their diploma. Or ask about a manga or dvd or book we might have to help them pass the time.

One woman, who comes in daily with her tattered walker always says hello to me and likes to work on the new jigsaw puzzle with me when we set one out.

So like, treat unhoused people like people. Treat disabled people like people. I don't want my library to feel like the only safe space in the world, but I'm glad it can be one of them.

For me, no; I first read MDZS, then TGCF, then SVSSS … and at least currently, I think I am most obsessed with SVSSS

The Heart Starts Singing

“Hua Cheng’s instrument sang, sang as a freezing gale would sing off the face of a frozen lake: sharp and clean like a knife, tenacious in the way that only nature could be. He wielded the violin and bow as though they were extensions of his pale hands—”

***

If you haven’t been reading along to @mild-pepper-spray ‘s fic “The Heart Starts Singing” YOU NEED TO FIX THIS!!

She just posted the masterpiece which was the final chapter, and it was so incredibly moving!

I am not an artist, but I have had this idea in my head for a while and thought it would be fun to share.