Book Signing at Franklin County Library

Tuesday, November 16, I left the house at 1:15 for a 3:00-5:00 book signing at the Franklin County Library in Rocky Mount. Usually this drive takes about 45 minutes, but I had planned to stop by the Westlake Library and say a quick hello to author Fred First, who was speaking there at 2:00. That didn't happen. I dropped off the garbage, stopped at the post office to mail a letter, and then encountered fog. Even though it was daylight, many patches were thick. I slowed, afraid I might not see deer crossing the road or cars without lights. When I passed Westlake Library my watch read 2:05, too late to stop. I reached Rocky Mount only five minutes early.


I like the Franklin County Library. From where I sat I could see the front and rear entrances. I chatted with library patrons, some who already owned one or both of my books and wanted to tell me how much they enjoyed reading them. Others knew some of the same folks I knew. A 10-year-old boy wanted my autograph, even though he wasn't old enough to read either of my novels.

Traffic through the library was heavy. Fifteen to twenty computers on the first floor stayed busy the entire time I was there. My guess is that the five computers on the second floor were equally busy. I was impressed. The librarians tried their best to answer any and all questions library patrons asked. I hope Rocky Mount and Franklin County realize what an important treasure their library is.

I left promptly at 5:00, hoping to get home before dark. Not. I drove home in rain and thick, pea-soup fog. Some vehicles had no lights on. In some areas I struggled to stay in my lane. Even in the fog, blinding oncoming lights seemed to make the center line and edge-of-road line disappear. I prayed. It was 6:30 when I walked in my house.