Love in the Sky

“I’ve been seeing that owl since I was a kid.” Lena says looking up on a rooftop standing under a light post on 65th and Courage.

“No way....” Jerrid contests to his friend of 15 years.

High above the two of them, higher than the light post in the winter night, was a white owl. One similar to Hedwig the Owl, from Lena’s favorite movies. Snow starting to fall onto her white fur coat.

Jerrid would play into most of Lena’s “Fantasy feelings”, as he would call them, most of the time. But Jerrid was an incredibly logical thinker and from time to time, took the opportunity to express his rationale for “coincidences”. He would do so despite his knowledge of Lena’s Spritual ways. Instinctively, he knew this was not one of those times.

Jerrid and Lena had grown up on the same street in a small pleasant town. They had taken this same walk home together for years before they parted ways for college. They would walk home together after school and catch up on volley ball and soccer practice, along with what melodrama went on in the cafeteria when one or the other was not in attendance. Working on some extra credit or brown nosing teachers to get into the colleges of their choice.

“I’m serious.” She exclaims. “So you think you’ve seen that same owl, multiple times.... for how long?” Jerrid asks.

“Well, the first time I acknowledged it was when we were 17. That day we were walking home and I was super stressed about what was going to happen after we graduated. Remember?” Lena explains.

“Yes, but I definitely don’t remember seeing, THAT owl. I’m pretty sure I would’ve noticed it.” Jerrid states.

“Her. Her name’s Love. I named her after the 10th time I saw her.” Lena says looking up at the owl.

She looks to Jerrid and repeats with assurance, “Love.”

Jerrid says, “I won’t even question how you know it’s a she.”

“I just know.” Lena says gently, looking back toward the owl who’s eyes are low and graceful. Locked on Lena’s.

“That 10th time, my sophomore year at Berkeley, I named her. That time I was calling you about Liam. You know, coping with how he’d been seeing a girl behind my back. You’ve really gotten me through so much Jerrid and I’ve never stopped to take a moment and think about that...”

“Oh come on...” Jerrid says dismissively. “That’s what I’m here for.”

Lena looks at Jerrid, “Exactly.” She says assertively. Lena turns back to lock eyes with the owl and says calmly “Exactly. And I don’t know how I didn’t see it before.”

Love hoots as if to affirm Lena’s realization and flies away.

“Know what, Lena? What’s wrong?” Jerrid says endearingly.

A light bulb has lit in Lena’s mind.

She takes a second and thinks to herself before turning to Jerrid professing, “Love has only shown up when I’m incredibly confused or in emotional turmoil. She shows up when you can’t be there with me physically. Like a reminder. Everytime. And you’ve been there for me every, time Jerrid. No matter what the situation is. You’ve watched and talked me out of relationships I never thought I’d ever had to deal with, and it was because you were by my side. No matter what. All these years. And you didn’t have to be.”

Jerrid notices the sudden wash of peace and certainty in Lena’s eyes.

“Those situations I should never have been in when I’ve had you, all this time. How could I be so blind?” Lena is short winded now. Her heart racing.

Jerrid’s eyes are locked on Lena’s, the way Love’s were moments ago. Low and sure with intent and confirmation. He looks at Lena this way before finally saying;

“I won’t hold against you that it took 14 years and an owl.” he laughs, as he turns to her and rests his forehead on hers.