“I can’t be the guy who works through his shift with a bird on his shoulder.” Jacob urged.
“Well I can’t leave you- and I’m not going to go under your shirt when you smell like that.”
“Smell like what?” Jacob asked, lifting his arm.
“Person.” Teddy shuddered.
“This isn’t going to work. People will say something.” Jacob responded.
“No one will say anything.”
“Everyone will say something! I’m going to get fired because everyone will say something!” Jacob grunted.
“You’re fine. No one will say anything to your face. Do you want to question someone who has a bird on their shoulder why that man has a bird on his shoulder?”
“No…” He pondered. “I once saw a man who was walking around with a snake around his neck. I wouldn’t want to go near him.”
“Perfect. I’ll be your people repellent.”
“Isn’t this some kind of health code violation?” Jacob responded.
“I don’t know. Probably. But the good news is I don’t care.”
For once, things seemed to work out for him. He caught a bus straight away, and when you’re riding with a bird on your shoulder people tend to steer clear. Even better, almost no one wanted to make eye contact with him. What a relief.
Despite leaving late, he managed to make it into work with a minute to spare. However, within moments of hitting the floor, Jacob ran straight into Garret. A man who was unpleasant, albeit not terrible. He was a stout man, slightly older than Jacob but with much more fervour. His short black hair gave him a tough, almost gangster appearance- and for what it was worth, Jacob couldn’t be sure that the coffee shop wasn’t a mob front. For a moment he looked Jacob up and down before letting his eyes rest on Teddy for a moment longer than would be conventionally acceptable.
“Good morning boss.” Jacob began.
For a second Garret looked like he wanted to say something but refrained. With a confused expression on his face he disappeared back into the office without acknowledging the bird at all.
“Told you.” Teddy chuckled.
“Quiet, it’s bad enough I have a bird. I don’t want to have to explain why and how you can talk.”
“Oh don’t worry. They can’t hear me. Everyone will just think you’re talking to yourself.” Teddy chuckled as he settled into Jacob’s shoulder like a parrot on a pirate.
“Somehow that isn’t more helpful…”
He threw on his apron, pressed his hair down, and within a fewminutes, he was in the dance.
Coffee for the gentleman, latte for the lady.
Espresso for the pencil mustache man.
Tea for the British bigshot.
Coffee
Coffee
Cold Brew
A half hour into the dance, Jacob looked up to see Thomas. He lived nearby and would stop in when he was either headed to work or home from the gym. Thomas had never been a small gentleman, but he took care of himself and Jacob appreciated the friendly camaraderie. Judging by his more relaxed outfit and the relaxed expression, he had a feeling that he’d been taking it easy today- even if they’d had a bit too much to drink last night.
“Hey Thomas!” Jacob smiled - genuinely happy to see his friend.
“New friend?” Thomas asked, pointing to Teddy with a confused expression. Jacob had seen a lot of that expression today but Thomas had been the first one to say something directly.
