Page 5 of A Fowl Match

Chapter 3

Violet

Icheckmyreflectionone last time in the mirror, then finger comb my hair to the ends a little past my shoulders to make sure I didn’t miss any tangles. My face is makeup free, like usual. Bootcut jeans cling to my thighs and drape out at my feet. I sport a pair of hiking boots and a sage green crewneck.

Don’t judge me; I strive for comfort!

It’s weird to be getting ready to go out. It’s been so long since I’ve let myself have any free time to do anything remotely exciting outside of work.

I rush down the stairs of my apartment that’s above my shop to find Olive, my best friend, standing at the front door. She looks rather impatient tapping her suede high top boots. I can’t blame her. I’m late yet again.

Her appearance is completely different from mine. Natural red curls flow from her shoulders. Her lips are painted burgundy, a striking contrast against her pale skin. She wears black skinny jeans and a distressed jean jacket.

“You look amazing, Olive!” I say.

“You do too! Now let’s go. We don’t want to miss the first song.” She grabs my hand and tugs me out onto the sidewalk, dragging me along.

The air outside is extremely chilly. The nights are still cold, while the days are starting to warm. It sends a shiver that courses through my body, enticing goosebumps to prickle on my arms and legs.

The walk to Rooster’s Bar is short. Only a few shops down the sidewalk. The whole town is in one long strip. A straight line of shops on either side of the road. Every store you could think of that has exactly what you need is right here. There isn’t much variety, but enough that I don’t have to leave town for anything. Surrounded by a pond, park, trails, and the Thornwood Cabins, the town is perfect for anyone. On either side the hills slope up.

“Aren’t you so excited to hear them play? I heard they have a new line up of cover songs that they will be playing for the first time tonight.”

“Yes! I’ve been wanting to hear their new covers. I haven’t had the time to go,” I admit.

At a rather fast pace we pass a bunch of small shops on the left of the street. The Laundry Basket, The Olive Bean, The Hoarders Emporium, The Chop Shop, Bobbie’s Freeze. Then there's Annie's Diner, The String Cheese—which has the best pepperoni rolls I’ve ever eaten in my life—and Chloe's Closet. There’s also a bunch of other shops on the right side of the street, each one bursting at the seams with character. Colorful storefronts are mostly converted homes that reflect the personality of the owners.

Rooster’s Bar is nearly the last place on the street. You would never guess what Rooster’s is named after.

A Rooster!

The town’s late Rooster the Rooster. Yeah, that’s right. Named after a chicken that has since passed on and a new rooster tookits place a few years back. Although, the name isn’t very original. Mason, the bar’s owner, has a flock of twenty or so chickens that roam the town during the day. They are locked up at night in the coop that’s pretty far behind the bar. This keeps them safe from racoons, hawks, and foxes that are common predators in the area.

He had a flock penned up for a while until one day they escaped. The town folks loved interacting with the chickens so much they begged him to let them roam free. He has ever since. The tourists love hanging out with the chickens as well, so it's a win-win. Except for one teensy problem.

The chicken shit.

As a business owner I try to keep the front sidewalk clean and welcoming. It’s the first impression any customer gets of whether they will enter the store or not. Well, the chickens like to poop all over the concrete. Only some days, though, but no—I’m lying.

Every day.

So, it adds more work for me and the other business owners to keep a clean storefront. But, who am I kidding, I love them. It’s worth the extra clean up. Once a week we rotate who pressure washes the sidewalks to keep them looking nice and clean.

There’s even a bench in front of the bar with a remembrance plaque in honor of the late rooster. People buy flowers from my shop to place in front of it weekly in his memory. It’s become a tradition.

To top it all off Chloe’s Closet, the town’s clothing store, has a section dedicated to Rooster. Shirts, sweatshirts, crewnecks and more branded clothing with Rooster and his hens on the front. Remember that sage green sweatshirt I put on earlier? Yeah, he's there right on the front of it.

And you may be thinking, Aren’t roosters mean? Nope. Not this rooster. He is the most docile one I’ve ever encountered.With beautiful black and white feathers. He’s a Barred Plymouth Rock. Although, his hens are all different breeds. Plymouth Rocks, Americanas, California Whites, Rhode Island Reds, Silkies, and Brahmas. Each different breed of chicken lays different colored eggs, making for a variety of colors: green, brown, and white eggs. Each one has a different shape and size. They add to the charm of the town. Every chicken is unique, and this keeps them from picking on each other.

“Cut it out,” Olive says, snapping her fingers in front of my face.

I jump at the sudden realization that we are already here. I was lost in my thoughts. “Oops! Sorry, I was thinking about Rooster and his girls.”

She chuckles and we walk into the lit-up bar. “Of course you are! I could tell you didn’t hear a word I was saying.”

“Sorry!” I softly smile and enter the booming bar.

Chapter 4

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