Page 37 of A Fowl Match

I will tell him everything eventually, but right now I’m glad to be able to feel comfort. It feels good to get it off my chest. I trust him.

“I’m so sorry about your shirt.”

“That is the least of my concerns.”

Chapter 25

Dustin

Tinydropletsofmorningdew glisten against the oncoming sunrise, sparkling rivulets covering the green grass and maple leaves. The chorus of robins chirping fills my ears, with a sense of warmth. Splash! The water ripples across the pond surface as Violet's hook makes contact. I take a sip of coffee from my right hand while balancing a fishing rod in the other. We sit in silence, waiting for the first fish to bite.

An hour ago, we walked back to the NSSGand grabbed some coffee in her apartment. She also grabbed a container of worms out of the mini fridge. Apparently, she keeps them in stock in case anyone wants some to go fishing at the pond. I asked if I could join her fishing and she said, “Of course.” It was too early to go to the coffee shop after our four o’clock run in. I didn’t think she would want to go there anyway, at least not yet. I know it was hard for her to tell me and I didn’t want to leave her alone. I had no clue her parents passed away. Or that she was in the accident that took their lives.

It’s tragic. And my heart breaks for her. It's my fault I didn’t know any of this about her already; I should have asked more questions. I should have tried to get to know her on a deeper level, but then again it wasn’t my place to ask. I always knew there was something bothering her. I wanted to give her time to tell me on her own terms.

I’ve never experienced loss in my life. Both of my parents still live in Philadelphia. We get along well, but it's a distant relationship. I see them maybe once a year. I’m the closest to my grandparents. Although I haven’t seen the farm in years, they visited me in New York once a year. We also talk on the phone regularly. On Christmas we all get together with my parents, my sister and a few cousins who I haven’t seen in years.

If I knew the right words to say or understood how she was feeling I’d say more. But there isn’t anything I know to comfort her with, and is there really any right thing to say? So, I decided that I’m going to be here for her. At least as long as she needs me today, so she won’t be alone in her thoughts.

“Why were you out here so early in the morning? Were you spying on me?” She chuckles.

This woman is so incredibly strong, to still make jokes through all of the pain. I know it’s her coping mechanism. A way to cover up the bad with a little bit of laughter. She doesn’t need to joke to hide how she truly feels around me. I just want her to feel comfortable enough to be honest with me. Although, I dug my own grave the first day we met. I’m hoping to show her over time that I will be there for her.

I want to be the one there for her.

“Well, I was spying on the other teams so that we’d have a better chance at winning the last competition.” I lean back against the wooden bench and set my coffee down in the holder.

“Really?” She looks at me, her hazel eyes opened in shock.

“No! Of course not. Who would be up this early? I was running. Hoping to get some exercise in. Grandpa said this next competition is supposed to be some kind of sport.”

“Oh, that makes more sense. If you do need some help spying just give me a call next time and I’ll be there.”

“I will, don’t you worry,” I tease.

“Fish on!” she yells when the rod tugs her forward. The top of the rod bends downward; she holds it up while reeling and tugging backward. “It has to be a big one!” I can’t help but notice the smile that spreads across her face. She reels the rod in while continuing to fight the fish. I try to help her, but she insists she’s good. After what feels like forever, she finally lands the fish. And to her horror it is the smallest bluegill we’ve both ever seen.

I hold my hand across my face trying so hard not to break out into laughter. She beats me to it by laughing. Then we’re both laughing our asses off.

“I don’t think this one's a keeper.” She takes it off the hook as she wipes a bead of sweat off her forehead, then leans down to release it back into the water.

“Wait! Let me take a picture.” I pull out my phone and she poses with it, wearing a huge smile. Then she releases it back into the water, cupping it to let it swim gently out of her hands.

“My parents both loved to fish,” she says all of a sudden, grabbing a worm and putting it on the hook. Then she casts it back into the water. “They would take me almost every weekend right here. It became a tradition. I come here to fish just to remember them. To remember all of the good times.” She sits back down, crossing her legs.

“That’s really nice that you can come here to remember. I’m glad that you let me be here with you,” I say sitting back down too.

“Ms. Burton paid to have this bench put here with a plaque for them when I was younger. We always used to bring foldingchairs, but she wanted me to have a special place to visit.” She reels in her line a little. “She was really close with my mom. My mom worked at the shop when she was in between jobs. So that's why she was the one who took care of me after they passed. I had no one else. I worked for her at the flower shop before the accident. So afterwards she became everything to me. The NSSGwas passed on to me two years ago as a gift from her. Then she moved into the retirement home, though I insisted she live with me. Her dementia was getting worse, so she decided it was time. It’s just me now. Even though I visit her weekly it’s not the same. I feel alone in the world. Especially on the days her memory is bad, and she doesn’t remember me. So you see why I understand what feeling alone is like. I’m sorry I’m rambling. I don’t know why I’m telling you all of this.” She scratches her head, looking down at her lap.

I tilt her chin and lift her head. “Do not apologize. I don’t mind being here or listening. You're not alone anymore—you have me.”

Something has shifted between Violet and me. And I can’t stop finding excuses to be with her.

Chapter 26

Violet

“Baaaaa.”Mynewfriendspeaks to me as I pet her head. Dustin has been holding out on me this whole time. They have goats on the farm. And they are adorable. They are the perfect distraction. It’s exactly what I needed today. I was planning on spending the rest of the day in bed, rather than trying to do anything productive. After we spent the morning fishing he took me to the Rhett Family Farm. We rode around in the side-by-side while he gave me a tour of everything. First, we stopped by the barn to see some calves. They were adorable and he had to practically drag me out of there, promising that I can stop by anytime I want. Then we rode around the fields taking in the beautiful scenery, while checking all of the fences since his grandpa had a list of things for him to do. And now we're at our last stop for the day in the goat barn.

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