Banned

It was lunchtime when he sauntered out of the boisterous cafeteria, undetected. If caught without permission he would have been instantly sent to the principal's office for being a repeat offender. He knew he didn't have much time; word among the noon-aides was the committee's decision was unanimous. Action would be taken immediately. He slid through the heavy door into the library, noticing the librarian crouched over her computer behind the circulation desk. He made a bee-line for the children's book selections. He knew the writer's name began with a P.  “P, P, P, where were the P's?”  He was scurrying through the books. He had to find it. He needed the book that defined his unconventional family. His dark eyes grew wide when he spotted the colorful cover. His shaky hands reached for the hardcover book. The spine slipped through his clammy hands creating an uncontrollable gasp. Mrs. D turned her head toward the breath. Ducking for cover behind the shelves of books, Mrs. D. hastily resumed to her duties when she could not identify the distraction. Not careful enough when removing the book from the shelf, the cellophane crinkled between his sweaty fingers.  He froze in place assuring he was not detected. When the coast was clear from any bystanders, he stood from behind the bookcases, empty handed.  He nonchalantly strolled through the back door with a grin on his face. He slipped into the first door on the right, the boy's bathroom. He slowly slid Patricia Polacco's In Our Mothers' House out from under his over sized rain jacket. If this book was no longer allowed to be a selection in the school library, it would be a welcomed story to share with his family.