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Anthony aimed for the automatic doors, one hand directing the stroller and the other holding his phone. He checked the screen once more and glanced up in time to see that there was an older woman on a walker, right in his path. With a distracted smile, he veered to the left and hoped that the sudden movement wouldn’t wake Rosie. She’d finally fallen asleep after a fretful morning, and if it were up to him, they’d still be at home. But Jayde had insisted that Rosie was old enough to go to her first story time, and that Anthony would be taking her there today.

He looked around the brightly coloured space, momentarily distracted by the noise and chatter. Weren’t libraries supposed to be quiet places? Didn’t people read quietly any more? It was all open plan with a few cubicles set up against the far wall. One section had couches and there was an assortment of people sitting and talking, or slouching with their necks wilting as they swiped at their phones and tablets. None of them had an actual book.

Anthony looked along the other side of the space, and there was a bench with newspapers and a coffee machine. Maybe he’d have time for a quick coffee before story time started. He seemed to be living on coffee these days, and was less fussy than he had been pre-Rosie about the quality of the beans and level of barista experience. Hell, he’d take a cup of nasty instant coffee if it helped him get through the next hour.

A young man with vividly coloured hair appeared in front of him. ‘Are you here for story time?’

Anthony nodded, his mind still on caffeine.

The man smiled at him and gestured to a group of parents and babies and toddlers gathered on an assortment of chairs and bean bags. When was the last time he’d sat in one of them? Would he be able to get up if he sat in one now? You could sleep in a bean bag. Even if he could close his eyes for just one minute, it would be worth it.

Anthony headed in the direction of the group, and was met with smiles and waves as people shifted around to make room for him and Rosie’s stroller. There was some quiet chat and Anthony checked on Rosie, who was still sleeping, before sitting on a bright red chair. There seemed to be plenty of primary colours in the space.

Then a young woman came and sat on the wing-backed chair positioned in front of the circle of chairs and bean bags. She introduced herself as Krystal with a K, and welcomed everyone. Krystal said they would be starting with a favourite, ‘Diary of a Wombat’, written by Jackie French. Anthony leaned back in his chair, and like the wombat, was asleep in no time at all.

This piece was written to a prompt on the Writer’s Digest website. Story Time: a parent is bringing their baby to the local library for story time.

Photo: mural at Hornsby, NSW