Gone...

It had only ever been Anna and her mother. When she was younger she used to ask about her father but her mother would attempt to distract her. Anna understood that it was a forbidden topic, but that only furthered her curiosity. The librarian had just come into her class on career day and talked about how in the library a lot of information could be found. Maybe the books could hold something on her father. Or maybe the computer. She knew that most kids that went to her school had a computer at home, and when she asked her mom why, her mom said it was just another thing she would explain when Anna was older. But wasn't seven old enough? Anna thought it was.

...

3 days. It had been 3 days and her mother hadn't returned home. The cereal was scattered across the kitchen as Anna added to the mess each time she poured her own breakfast. She missed her mom dearly, and hadn't seen her since the tornado. Something had gone wrong. Very wrong, and now all she thought to do was wait for her to come home. After eating her cereal and getting ready for the bus, she got an idea. The library was filled with information. Maybe she could find her mother there. In addition maybe she could use it as an excuse to search for her father too. 

Walking down the street Anna spotted Monsieur LeClerc. 

"Bonjour Monsieur!" Anna chirped, just like LeClerc had taught her. 

"Bonjour Anna!" LeClerc said back, eyeing the small child. "Mademoiselle Anna, you do know your shirt is on inside out...don't you?" He chuckled.   

"Oh no." Anna replied, discouraged. She hung her head and continued on her way. She knew it was very abrupt and probably seemed rude, but she did not want to let anyone know about her parental situation. If they knew, she worried she wouldn't be allowed to go to the library. Then how would she find out information?

She pushed the revolving doors and stared at the mountainous stacks of books. She knew how to read, barely. Anna got distracted by all the people, and all the fancy equipment, but now was not the time to talk to people.

Walking through the stacks wondering where to start, a voice coming from the old amplifier trailed after her. "So my planned speech is gone. So, I'm gonna improvise." Anna cringed from second hand embarrassment. awkward laughs spread through the library. "So... uh swimming...I did that. Sorry I'm nervous. I failed public speaking in High School."

Anna sat down on the grand in between to bookshelves. She needed to think. Criss crossing her legs, she tilted her tiny head into her tiny hand. Hm. Where to start.