Page 21 of A Fowl Match

After straightening my hair for another thirty minutes I finally jog down the stairs and hop into the back seat of our minivan.

“I’m glad you decided that we could leave,” my dad says while looking back at me, a smile forming on his face from the driver's seat. He shakes his head, and his arm drapes around the back of my mom’s seat while reversing out of our driveway. He always did that. It was a way to show her how much he cared for her. I don’t think he even realized he did it, it was done out of habit. But it was such a small gesture that I picked up on. The love he felt for her was incomparable.

“Sorry Dad, I didn’t mean to take so long,” I say while flipping through songs on my iPod, popping two earbuds in.

Hours later the sky is dark, and I drift in and out of consciousness. We’re almost halfway to the beach as we sit at a stoplight. When the light turns green, we continue on our way. Out of nowhere, a flash of red from the left side window shoots straight towards our car. The hatchback T-bones our minivan in seconds, sending us flipping in the air. Everything happens so fast I don’t have time to process it as my vision goes black.

This is why I don’t let myself think about the past. The thoughts make me queasy. I unwrap myself from the throw blanket and pat Fiona on her head. My body trembles while I smooth my hand across her fur. I rush down the stairs and stumble into the greenhouse.

Hours later I emerge from watering plants, starting new seeds, and I feel slightly better. Not much, but enough to emerge fromhiding. The sky is a bright blue with wispy clouds, and I ache for a cup of warm coffee to ease my racing mind.

Grateful that Olive stays open until three every day, I walk over to grab some. When I open the door, I see Olive behind the counter spinning on a stool in circles waiting for her next customer. It puts a smile on my face. She never fails to make me laugh.

“Hi sunshine, it's a beautiful day outside!” She waves to me from the counter with a chipper demeanor. It’s normally contagious, but today I’m not feeling myself.

“Coffee,” I blurt, struggling to form words.

“Ha! Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today? What happened to, ‘Hi, how are you bestie?’ Or, ‘It is a beautiful day, it’s so nice to see you pal!’” Olive flies out of the chair and pours some coffee into a ceramic mug. Then slides it across the counter to me.

“Something like that. Sorry.” I take a big gulp and scrunch my face from the strong and bitter flavor. “Thanks, I needed that. It’s a black coffee kind of day. This is my third cup.”

“I could tell it was a strong coffee kind of day.” She shrugs and starts wiping the counter off. “So, how are you and Dustin getting along?”

“We’re tolerating each other,” I say while sipping slowly. “How about Annie and you?”

“Don’t change the subject, you already know that Annie and I don’t make the best team.” She sits back down and crosses one leg over the other. “You two really seem to make a good pair. And would make an even better couple. He’s good looking, you can’t deny it. Especially since he’s starting to grow some stubble. He’s got the whole farmer appeal really setting in now.” She raises her eyebrows up and down suggestively.

“Nope, definitely not. I’m not going to deny I find him attractive, but who says he would even want to date me anyway.” I sigh while draining the rest of the cup down my throat.

I walk to the back of the shop to the sinks. And start scrubbing my mug with a sponge.

“You don’t have to wash your cup, you know that right? There are people I hire to do that. Just kidding, you know I do all of the dishes, but seriously, I can wash your cup.”

“I know, I thought I would help you out a little bit. You’re always helping me.” I transfer the cup to the drying section and grab an empty coffee pot to scrub.

“Violet. Look at me.” I continue to scrub dishes. Avoiding her gaze. “Please look at me.” I slowly drop the scouring sponge and turn to face her. “Any guy would be lucky to be with you. You are the strongest person I know. You are also extremely kind, selfless, and hardworking. Everything you survived is what made you all of those things. If he can’t see that, then he’s foolish. And it isn’t meant to be.”

“You’re going to make me cry,” I say while I turn to transfer the now clean pot to another sink. I dunk it into the sanitizing sink. I can’t bear to look at her. I know it will open the floodgates once again.

“I’m not telling you what I think. It’s what I know. And that’s all that matters. I’m here for you. We’re sisters by force.”

“Yes, we are.” I smile while finishing the last few dishes. I am so grateful that I have Olive in my corner. We may not be sisters by blood, but our bond is much stronger. And I don’t know what I would do without her by my side.

Chapter 14

Violet

ThisSaturdaytheeventsare being held in Annie’s Diner. It was the biggest place that had enough tables to house all of the teams. Each one is covered with white tablecloths. The mystery puzzle is wrapped in each team's color at the center of every one. Ours is covered in purple paper. Matching our sweatshirts. Now it’s a waiting game until everyone arrives. Constance hasn’t made an appearance yet.

Today isn’t a good day for me and I’m not in the right headspace to focus. I think Dustin can tell I’m distant because his lips are turning down into a frown while looking at me. Or maybe I have some food on my teeth from the sandwich I scarfed down right before we arrived.

“Is there something on my face, or on my teeth?” I rub my face and then wipe my teeth with my tongue.

“What? No. Why?” Dustin grumbles.

Someone’s testy today.

“Because you’re scowling at me.” I say while tapping my fingers on the table.

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