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Chapter 5
Tansy
Iwipedawaythesteam from the mirror and stared into the reflection. I looked much better than before, even though nothing much had happened, except for my talk with Eamon. I also had a place to stay for the night, as long as they accepted my offer to pay with work hours.
I doubted Eamon would kick me out, even if they decided not to take me on. He didn’t seem the type. So even if my luck ran out, I’d still have somewhere to stay, at least for tonight.
Nugget played on the counter. I’d set up an area for her with some of her toys, her fold-out standing perch, and her favorite cuddly blanket. She’d flown from the top of the large tropical plant right into the bathroom when I first stepped in.
She loved taking showers with me, but I didn’t have my parrot-safe shampoo with me, and I didn’t trust the ones in there. So she’d hung out in the steamy bathroom instead. She liked that too.
The steam had done her good, though the flight around the large penthouse probably helped as well. She used to fly around my place at The Ivory Tower but avoided the places Mother inhabited. It had been a while since she had the chance to spread her wings like that.
We spent so much time on the road. The only reason why I’d been able to get into some of the shelters was because I’d taught her to stay quiet, and I’d lied about her. One of the shelter coordinators found out eventually, but she’d let me stay anyway because she had a parakeet of her own. It had been our little secret.
Then Dean had come along. Nugget was restricted to my room after. A much smaller room, where she basically hopped from place to place, only able to flap her wings once or twice in between.
The shower had done me well too. The crusty motel we’d been in last night hadn’t inspired me to step inside the tub. The whole place had smelled of mildew.
I quickly dried myself and wrapped the towel over my hair. I felt lighter too, as if my worries had been washed down the drain, even though I knew my battle had just begun. I still had to find a way to stop Mother, and I mean actually stop her, not just get her off my back. But it felt a little easier now that there was a chance I’d have someone at my side, even if I had to pay for the company and friendship.
I hadn’t realized how lonely I was until recently. I’d never had many close friends throughout my life. And the few I made, I was never allowed to go out with. There were a few classmates I’d been close to in high school, but they’d moved away for college, and we’d drifted apart. Mother had gotten a lot stricter once I hit college, and it was harder to make friends.
As for Dean, I’d known I didn’t love Dean from the start. The relationship had been one of convenience. There was an understanding: he was supposed to put me through school, and in return, I was supposed to marry him when I was done. And in the meantime, I got a place to stay.
So when I found out he wasn’t who he’d said he was, I wasn’t really heartbroken. If anything, I was relieved. I had a reason to leave and not feel bad about it.
I had Nugget. She was my bestie, but it wasn’t quite the same.
Dressed in a fresh tank top and a comfy pair of sweatpants, I packed up Nugget’s area, gathered my dirty clothes, and opened the door. The fresh air of the penthouse rushed in, and I stepped out with Nugget on my shoulder.
Yup. Definitely a far cry from the moldy motel room. The penthouse was somehow spacious and cozy at the same time. It must be the mix of natural wood, metal, granite, and leather combined with the tropical plants and plush cream-colored rugs that did the trick.
A woman with chestnut hair sat on one of the many couches. I didn’t know why they needed so many sofas, unless they routinely did private movie screenings in here. They did have a full theater system.
The moment she saw me, the woman popped up to her feet and hurried over. “You must be Tansy.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Shelby.” Then, realizing I had my bird’s things in one hand and my clothes in the other, she said. “Let me help you with that.”
She took Nugget’s stuff. Nugget sidled down my arm, curious about the new person. That must mean she didn’t sense anything off with Shelby. Another good sign.
“Thank you. Just put that on one of the coffee tables.” They also had several of those. “I’ll set it up so Nugget has a place to hang out.”
She did, and I shook her hand and introduced myself. Then she greeted Nugget.
“She’s such a cutie!”
Oh no! She usedthe word.
Before I could warn her, Nugget started chanting. “Such a cutie.”Kissing sounds. “Oooooh. Such a cutie.”More kissing sounds.And repeat. She flew over to the table with her stuff and danced around it, bobbing her head. “Cutie, cutie, cutie.”
Conures weren’t good talkers, usually only mimicking sounds like ringtones or chimes.Such a cutiewas one of the rare phrases Nugget knew and loved.
“She’s going to be like that for a while,” I said apologetically. “It’s her favorite and only line.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Shelby tried not to wince as Nugget screamed the phrase as loud as she could. “She’s adorable.”
We went to join Nugget on the couch closest to her table. The dark brown leather was buttery-soft, and the cushion underneath supportive. Super comfy.
“I can help you set up her cage and stuff if you want,” Shelby offered.
