Love Birds

No one came to visit anymore, at least not for a long time. The old farmer used to come in, look up to the rafters and greet me. “Good morning Mister.” I would usually blink a couple of times and move about, my way of speaking back. It was our morning ritual. When it gets lonesome, I find a nice large oak tree near the house, and peek in on the family, now and again. The horses had all been escorted to the newly built barn. Only rusty tools and a couple of saddles remained. I had grown accustomed to having the entire space all to myself.

I had just closed my eyes for a mid morning nap,

when the rickety doors of the gray weather-worn barn swung open.

An old empty oil can caught the brunt of the force and landed a few feet

away from the entrance. I had a long, but fruitful night, and was hoping

for a little sleep before my quest would began all over again at dusk.

There was no rest in sight. The two stormed into my barn. The girl, all of about 16, folded her arms and tapped her left foot. She was a soft, milky white, with freckles everywhere. Her ginger hair swooped down into her face. She blew her lengthy bangs up in a couple of big huffs. The girl was long and lanky. She wore an off white sweater, a denim skirt, and black boots. The boy was at least 6’2, muscular, with

an olive complexion, and dark tufts of curly hair. He had on a light blue and white flannel shirt on underneath his dark overalls. His boots were rough cowhide leather and were covered in mud. I had not seen the girl before, but the boy was the old farmer’s middle son.

He threw his hands up and gestured wildly, as if initiating some elaborate courting ceremony. “You’re impossible, you know that!” He shouted.

“You had no cause bringing Anna to the dance. Everybody saw you!” She screeched. My eyes perked up. I stretched my wings, fluttered, and bobbed my head up and down. Might as well settle in for the show. “You said you didn’t want to go with me, remember?” The boy snarled. The kids must have had a brief falling out, some monumental argument, the day before the big dance, and now the boy was getting his first real lesson about women, I thought to myself.

“And you chose, Anna? Humph?! I don’t have time for games!” She exclaimed. He was done for, now. I surmised Anna was this dreadful looking girl with a permanent scowl, rough manners, and no softness about her. Anna was probably a constant rival. The girl brushed her hair back and tucked it behind her ears. She cared about him. I could feel her heart and the heat flush that caused her face to change to a bright red. As she marched towards the door, with tears swelling in her eyes, he grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him. “Hey. I never wanted to go with Anna. Anyway...I thought about you the whole time.” He said tenderly. The girl looked down at her boots. The red flush slowly returned to a light pink that resided around her cheeks. Her pounding heart melted into a rhythmic beat.

She finally gazed up into his dark brown eyes. “Do you forgive me?” He inquired, pressing his forehead against hers. “I guess.” She replied with a half grin and a slight shrug. The boy reached out his large hand and cupped her tiny hand into his. They waltzed out of the barn in a sweet embrace. I had honestly expected a little more excitement from those two, but was glad to be left alone, in peace. I perched in the corner of the loft and closed my eyes. Sleep came easily. The two “lovebirds” came to visit my barn quite often. They usually held hands, kissed, and whispered in each others’ ears. I did not mind their presence. The boy and girl had earned a special place in my barn. They belonged. As time passed, the love birds, were transformed. The change happened in waves. The old farmer left and never returned. The boy became the farmer, and the girl his wife. I looked in on them, now and again. The two love birds didn’t come to the barn, nearly as often. But their little one visited nearly each day and looked up to the rafters. “Good morning mister.” She said.

I blinked and moved about. She would always giggle at my response.

This was our morning ritual.