I was just at the local community college, you know, the big one with the many buildings for all the different subjects. I go there to look for books sometimes in their library for my own personal learning. I was not there for school, just looking at some old art history books, you know, seeing the pictures of the statues and the paintings from long ago. I was in a quiet corner, trying to understand some old text in a large book, turning the stiff pages very slowly, when a lady came up to me. She just stood there, very close, and I could feel her presence.
I did not look up right away. I wanted to finish reading the paragraph. But she make a loud sigh, a very impatient sound. So I close the book carefully and look up. She had a bag with her, a big one, very full. She started talking very fast, asking me about some kind of form. She say, “Excuse me, where are the enrollment forms? I need to get my son signed up for classes, and this place is just so confusing!” Her voice was high, like a bird call.
I blink at her. I did not work there. I was just a person reading a book. My mind was still thinking about the old art, not about enrollment forms. I told her, “Oh, I am sorry. I do not work here. I am just a visitor.” I pointed to the book on the table. “I am just reading.”
A strange look came over her face then. It was like she did not believe me. She crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “What do you mean you don’t work here? You’re sitting in the staff area, aren’t you? You look like you work here. You have a badge, right? Where is it?” I did not have a badge, of course. I never did. My forehead began to furrow. I felt confused, then a little annoyed. This was not a staff area, it was just a quiet corner with a big table and some chairs.
I explained again, trying to be very polite. “No, no badge. I am not an employee. I am just here for the books.” I thought maybe she just misunderstood. But she did not. Her arms stayed crossed, and her foot started tapping on the floor, making a small, quick sound. “That is ridiculous! You are clearly trying to avoid helping me. I saw you just sitting there, not doing anything important. Now, where are the forms for summer camp? My son needs to be in the advanced math class.”
Now my muscles began to tense. I did not like this. I was not doing nothing. I was learning. And I knew nothing about summer camp forms or advanced math. I try to be helpful, even though she was being difficult. “I can find someone who works here for you,” I said, and started to stand up. “They can help you much better than me.”
But she stepped in front of me, blocking my way. She put her hand on my arm, not hard, but enough to stop me. “No, you don’t. You are going to help me. It is your job to help customers. I am a customer here! I pay tuition, I have rights! Now, are the forms in the administration office, or are they by the registrar? Just tell me where to go! It’s not hard!” Her grip felt too warm on my skin. I did not like to be touched by strangers, especially when I felt cornered.
My voice felt tight in my throat. “I truly do not work here. I cannot help you with enrollment.” I tried to move past her, my eyes scanning the room for an actual employee, someone with a uniform or a name tag that said “Staff.” My head started to throb a little from the stress. I saw a young man in a blue polo shirt with the college logo far down an aisle, shelving books.
“Look, there is an employee,” I say, pointing. “He can help you.” I started walking towards him, wanting to get away from her. But she came right behind me, her voice getting louder. “Oh, so now you want to pass me off to someone else? After you wasted my time? I know what you’re doing. You’re trying to get out of your duties! I am going to report you! What’s your name? What’s your department?”
My jaw clenched tight. I did not say anything. I just kept walking, trying to get to the employee. The library was starting to fill up a little bit more, and I felt a strange heat in my ears, like everyone was looking. The actual employee looked up, seeing me approach with this very loud lady following me.
She got even closer, practically right on my heels. “You think you can just ignore a paying parent? I am going to make sure you regret this! You will be fired! I will make sure of it! Who do you think you are?” She was practically shouting now, very close behind my ear. The employee had a surprised look on his face. I was almost to him.
I reached the young man. “Excuse me,” I said, my voice a little shaky, “this lady needs help with enrollment forms. I am just a visitor.” I hoped he would understand. I stepped to the side, trying to put him between me and the lady.
But before he could even answer, before I could even take a full breath, I felt a sharp, hard push in my back. I stumbled forward, hitting something hard with my head. I think it was the end of the metal bookshelf. Darkness came quickly, like a heavy blanket pulled over my eyes, and the last sound I heard was a ringing in my ears.
