Page 5 of Talk Birdie to Me

Lauren tilted her head, her chin-length brunette waves bobbed to the side with the movement. “Think he knows he’s in trouble?”

“Maybe.” Cody straightened his back and moved his face farther from the cage to assess the situation. “If he does, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t give a shit.”

“Shit stain!”

Lauren covered her mouth to stifle a giggle since that was part of the reason the bird was in there in the first place. Laughter had only proven to egg him on.

Gary the Grey cackled loudly at himself.

“See?” Cody said. “No remorse.”

“Oh, come on,” Lauren said. “You have to admit, it’s pretty funny.”

The five-year-old parrot had only been at the zoo a month since his owner surrendered him to their care. After a brief quarantine period, they put him in with a couple of other birds that were allowed to free-roam in the aviary.

Within two weeks, Gary had taught the other parrots a couple of choice words, and they learned how to get him going with the rest of his extensive vocabulary. Most often when they had an audience. He was quickly turning the zoo into a not-so-family-friendly place.

“I still say we should have a night exhibit for him and his pals,” Lauren said. “Adults only. Cash bar. People would love to hang out with him.”

She wasn’t wrong. But the curator had already shot down her idea.

Lauren covered her mouth as a massive yawn escaped.

Cody grinned. “Didn’t sleep?”

“Shut up.”

With a laugh, he said, “I’m happy for you. I’m laughing, but for real. I’m happy for you. How long have you been seeing her?”

“Two months.” Lauren blushed ever so slightly at the answer. Her pale, freckled skin gave her away.

“That’s a long time. Sounds pretty serious.”

Lauren turned from the cage and crossed her arms. “I understand that two months is probably a lifetime for you, but some of us like settling in with people.”

“I get it,” Cody said. “You’re a nester.”

Lauren’s expression twisted. “I mean, yeah. I guess. So what does that make you?”

“I’m just not a forever guy,” Cody said. “I get too restless.”

“Ever consider that maybe you could find someone to nest-hop with you?” She shook her head. “Never mind. You don’t want to make new nests. By yourself or with anyone else. You want to find new people and crash in their nests for a little while, then move on when things get uncomfortable. I know your type.”

“My type? That’s awfully specific for you to type me like that.” He scoffed. “Besides, you make it sound so… primitive. Like I’m unevolved or something.”

“You are unevolved if you’re doing it because you’re afraid to stick around and put in the work.”

Cody scoffed. “Love shouldn’t be hard. Why does everyone insist it has to be so much work?”

“Because it is work if you want to grow. As a couple. As a human. As an evolved being.” Lauren’s expression and tone both softened. “Listen, I’m not saying you have to be in a monogamous or long-term relationship or anything. That shit’s not for everyone.”

“Shit stain!”

“Enough, Gary,” Cody snapped.

“But if you’re avoiding it because you’re afraid,” Lauren continued, “then that’s bullshit.”

“Bullshit!” Gary cackled again.

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