Page 23 of A Fowl Match

“For what?” His eyebrows scrunch.

“For carrying us through this puzzle solving challenge, and for practicing.”

He shrugs. “Don’t worry about it. I’m doing this for my grandpa. I’m trying to rebuild our strained relationship.”

“Oh, okay.”

“You didn’t have to blow me off this week.” His gaze penetrates me to my core. He looks agitated.

“I know. I was busy.”

“You keep saying that. But, I’m not buying it. I had to carry this whole competition. We’re supposed to be a team, remember?”

“Look—” I start but don’t continue.

“It’s fine. Call me so we can prepare for next week’s competition. If you are going to show up this time.”

“I will, but how am I supposed to call you? I don’t even have your number.”

“Can I have your phone?”

“Sure.” I hand him my phone. He swipes across the screen and puts his number in then hands it back to me. On the screen right above his number it says “GRUMPY” in all caps with a chicken emoji. I grin.

“Text me something so I can save your number.” I text him some random numbers and hit send. He stares at his phone with a look of concentration, and his fingers fly across the screen. “Here’s what I put you in my phone as.” I look down and the screen says “fuddy-duddy” with a flower emoji.

“The one and only.”

Chapter 15

Violet

Ifeelsobadfor blowing Dustin off during the puzzle challenge. So much so I decided to get in my car and drive to his farm. I need to apologize. I didn’t want to jeopardize the competition for him. It wasn’t his fault at all.

I shut my car off and close the door. It’s late in the evening and chilly outside. Good thing I’m still wearing my overalls over my sweatshirt. I knock a few times and wait patiently. I can hear the soft hum of cows mooing in the distance.

“Hey,” he says as he notices me standing awkwardly on his doorstep.

I fidget with the sleeves of my sweatshirt. “Can I come in?”

“Yeah. Sure.” He opens the door wider for me to enter. I slowly follow him to the couch, grateful to be inside and warm. I sit next to him, crossing one leg over the other. I bounce my knee.

How do I go about this?

He folds his arms over his chest. I can almost feel the tension, it’s thick in the air. He’s frustrated with me. I can’t blame him. I bailed on him. “I’m sorry.” I blurt in confession.

“For what?”

“Well. For abandoning you this week. For making you carry the challenge. It was a crappy thing to do.”

“It’s okay. It’s over with.” His expression says otherwise.

“No, it’s not. There are things I’ve left unsaid. Things I don’t tell anyone. But if you knew. I think you’d understand the reasoning behind why I left.”

“Okay, tell me. I’m all ears.”

“...Okay, I…there was something you said when I came over. Something that hit me hard. I don’t normally think about the past. I try not to.” I pause, trying to think about the best way to tell him, without divulging everything. I’m not ready for that. “You said you’d never felt more alone. I agreed with you because…well.” I pick at the edge of my overall seams.

Dustin studies me patiently, waiting for me to continue. He doesn’t breathe a word. It’s comforting.

---