Hand me that nickel

If I had to pick my favorite president, Thomas Jefferson would win in a heartbeat. Third president of the U.S., author of the Declaration, one of the Founding Fathers, founder of the University of Virginia, architect, archaeologist, inventor, violinist. Oh, and what a ladies' man.

When I was seven years old, I visited the Scranton Public Library not knowing what I wanted to read. I wandered the aisles searching for a book to catch my eye. And then I found it. On the cover was a drawing of a man with red hair against a gray backdrop. It was called "Meet Thomas Jefferson."

I took it out of the library (trying very neatly to sign my name on the small line. Does anyone remember how people used to take out library books?) It took me a day to read the book. And when I was done, I fell in love. I remember vividly this one part of the book where the author was talking about Jefferson trying to pass the bar exam to become a lawyer and the drawing showed him reading a book and warming up next to a fireplace. That was what it did it for me.

I loved the book so much I refused to give it back to the Scranton Public Library. And to this day, whenever I return to the Scranton Public Library, they ask me where the book is. I know exactly where it is located in my house; I just refuse to give it back.

I could go on and on about my obsession with Jefferson,including how I fainted at Monticello but I won't. Instead I'll just say that this is dedicated to the man who probably had the hottest affair with his slave.

-Jackie