AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Whatever man. Drink your beer.”
I laugh and do just that.
I have been planning this trip since I found out about it three years ago, but never had the balls to do it.
I had to submit an application, take some online knowledge tests, and speak with James, the guy who runs the organization before they would consider me for the position.
As a guide, I get to go free of charge besides my food. My hotel rooms, airline tickets, and any zoo or park tickets are covered.
That isn’t the main reason I applied to be a tour guide, but it sure is a perk.
My love of birds started when I was around seven or eight. My grandpa filled his back yard with homemade bird feeders and birdhouses. He had a bench that sat right in the center. I remember sitting out there, every time we would visit, and it didn’t matter what time of the day it was or what the weather was like, the birds would flock around me.
The birds chirping was a peaceful sound and always calmed my racing mind as a child.
After he died, my grandma tried to keep up with everything, but it was too much for her. I went every weekend to fill all the feeders, replace the water in the baths, and do general cleanup.
My grandma died a year and a half ago. I haven’t had the heart to go back.
My older brother has been living in the house since then. She left it to me and him. I know he doesn’t want to stay there, though. He tells me all the time how worn down the place is, but I don’t have the heart to sell it.
“Another one?” Grayson asks me as I set the empty bottle of beer down.
“Nah, I’m good. I’m gonna head home.”
“Cool, man. See ya.”
“Bye.”
Chapter 5
Sarah
Chrissytoldmethismorning before work that I didn’t have a choice. She was coming over and we were drinking wine and watching chick flicks.
So, here I am, getting things cleaned up. I haven’t been in the best head space since the break-up. There are dishes stacked in my sink, dirty clothes scattered throughout my apartment, a gaggle of cups on my coffee table, and I don’t even want to think about the fact that the only things in my fridge right now are condiments. My diet has consisted of vending machine food and takeout.
The only thing I have been consistent with is feeding my outside birds.
Growing up, my mom always fed the birds. I remember, when she lost her dad suddenly, watching the bird’s outside was the only thing that got her to sit up in bed. They brought her so much joy. And whenever I was having a bad day, I would sit at the big slider door in her bedroom and watch with her. Now my mom has a yard full of feeders and she feeds not only the birds, but the squirrels, raccoons and deer that come into her yard. She’s like a real-life Snow White.
As soon as I got my own place, I knew that needed that joy in my life. None of my friends really understand it. They think it’s an older person thing. What young person wants to sit around and watch birds all day? I tried to get them to go on nature walks with me and while they enjoyed nature, they didn’t enjoy me stopping to listen and look through my binoculars every time I heard something I hadn’t before.
When I met Ben, I really thought I would have someone who shared my passion, but he humored me more than anything.
I get my clothes picked up and in the washer, then the dishes done and drying, but there is nothing I can do about the lack of food. Instead, I put an order in for Chinese takeout. Orange Chicken, Chow Mein and Cream Cheese Rangoon’s. As if my order could be any more basic.
I hear the door open as I finish wiping the counters off.
“Sarah,” Chrissy calls out. “I brought the wine.”
She turns the corner, and she has three bottles of my favorite Moscato wine in her arms.
“Ummm, we aren’t drinking all of them tonight.”
She looks at me with a raised brow. “You might not be, but I am. I don’t have to work tomorrow, and your couch is pretty comfortable.”
“Fair enough.”
