The end of an era...

After almost four years, I have given my resignation to the Brossard municipal library. It's been a good run, but unfortunately my Master's degree will not allow me to continue there any longer.

I remember when I first began working there. I was really worried about working with a bunch of older ladies. I remember during one of our breaks I was witness to a rather graphic discussion of child birth. "My son's head was huge!!! My vagina was so dilated that-"

There was one lady who shrieked for the first week any time I turned the corner. "Bonjour!" I would say, and she would respond with a blood curdling shriek. I would have attributed it to her getting used to having a black guy skulking about the library the first time, but she was black too!

Now that I'm quitting, I feel a great deal of grief at leaving them. It's almost like losing 20 aunties. They're all such sweet ladies. There were times when they just had me laughing out loud with their stories. And they ask you auntie like questions like, "Have you been eating? How's school going?" Of course, now that I'm leaving in a few weeks I get to play the spoiled brat!

The other morning for example, I woke up and made breakfast. I was about to take the first bite when my boss calls.

Boss: "Good morning Chris? How are you?"
Me: "I'm fine."
Boss: "What are you doing?"
Me: "Eating a sandwich.. You know... Just chillin..."
Boss: "You're supposed to be at work."
Me: "Well, ain't that some s**t??? I'll be there... later... I guess."

And when I did get there, it was to smiles and jokes. The previous day was even more relaxed. I earned my fee by sharpening pencils chatting with people... Walking around... One of the ladies gave me chocolate. Then I did something I always wanted to do... I took one of the cheesy children's chairs from the Youth section. It's all yellow and green and blue and it's super tiny. I almost got stuck in it. Anyway, I sat in that to check the books on the shelf, regaling the ladies, "Oh que t'es mignon!" they laughed.

But today was the topper. While sharpening pencils, one of the bosses came up to me and one of the other students. "Chris I need you to..." then she paused, and looked at the other guy, "Nevermind... Marc Andre, go put away those books over there." I grinned and continued sharpening pencils. I felt like such a little brat!

What else could I get away with in my last few weeks? I always wanted to push over one of the bookshelves and cause a cataclysmic domino effect where all the shelves would fall making a glorious mess of books. Or walk around the library with no shirt, bust in with a boombox. Or I could be totally hostile to the people who come to borrow books.

Old lady with a British accent, "I would like to procure these documents, young man."
Me: "Well ma'am, just give your library card a swipe." pulling down my pants and showing her my ass.
Old lady, "Oh, you beastly, horrid man..."
Me, talking with my ass, a la jim carrey: "Oh, don't be mad. Let's kiss and make up!"
My Boss: "Oh... Chris is so cute. Let's buy him a present!"

Anyway, none of that will happen now. My last day was Saturday and my send off included many kisses and heart felt goodbyes. Even one of the cute girls who works with me seemed upset.

Cute Girl: "Where are you going?"
Me: "Time to start my masters. Why do you ask? Couldn't let a gorgeous guy like me out of your site without getting a goodbye kiss?"
Cute Girl: "You can't leave like this! We need you!!!"
Me: "We need? What about, you need?"
Cute Girl: "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Me: "You probably don't... Now stop following me."
Cute Girl: "I was just going to say goodbye to the Janitor!"
Me: "Good! You could use a good kiss!!!"

And there was of course the evil rant from my boss. "Who would have thought, you've worked here for 4 years. Time sure does fly. Remember Chris. Time is a predator. It stalks you every day, waiting to claim your life. And eventually, it will catch you!"

But though she called time a predator, I prefer to think of time as a friend, who travels with us along the road of life, reminding us to make the most of every moment as each might be our last.

Four years well spent I'd say. Now I'll sign off before I get sued for copywrite infringement.