Birds of a Feather

Friday, June 8, 2012

Dear Talón,

You know how much I love my birds. Their chirping cheers me up, and they sooth me to sleep. They are quiet when I ask it of them, and when I need support, they get excited and flutter around. I love them so. I now have four cages in my bird room containing thirty-four different beings, and I hope to add another cage soon when I have the money.

My job at the pet store is going well, although Mr. Harrison, my boss, has been getting on me about not approaching the customers well enough. As you know, Talón, I do not like people. I despise them, but can’t get any other job besides a sales position, and all of the other places disturb me because they do not have those beautiful, noisy birds.

However, my reason for writing this time is that I met a woman. She is nothing like you, Talón, but she seemed to take an interest in me.She came into the store this morning and inquired about getting a cat. I said I would bring her to the cats, but I confessed that I only loved birds, and I thought cats were menaces. She laughed at it as if I had told a joke, but I only smiled and led her to the cat section. We have about five cats that wander the cat section of the store, and soon we will be adding a litter of kittens. I told her this, and she said she was actually looking for an adult cat, as they were the ones who really needed love. “Kittens always get love,” she said, “but the adults are sometimes overlooked.”

I agreed, although I said that I love birds not cats. Then she said I was cute. Can you believe it, Talón, she said I was cute! I don’t know her, so why did she flirt with me?! Of course, Talón, you say that she was probably trying to be funny, but the way she looked at me was weird. It made me uncomfortable. But that is not the worst of it, Talón, she said her name was Patricia, and she handed me her number and said I should call her sometime. How is that, Talón? You said she was not flirting, but then she gives me her number!

Anyway, I have not called her yet, and I am wondering what I should do.

Help me, Talón, help me.

Love, Roger

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Dear Talón,

I took your advice, and I called her. She picked up on the third ring, and she asked who it was. I said it was Roger from the pet store, and she sounded excited.

“Oh, Roger, how are you?” she asked.

I said I was fine, and I was only calling her because she gave me her number. I asked her why she gave me her number, and you know what she said?She said, “Oh, I think you’re a nice guy, Roger. A little quiet, but nice.” She said we had met before, although from the way I had acted at the store, I must not have remembered her.

I said, “Where did we meet? I do not go out much, besides to the pet store and when I need to buy groceries.”

She said it was around two years ago at a Christmas party at her church. I was with a friend, and I apparently had talked to her, and she thought I was cool. She looked for me after the party and inquired after me, but had no luck in finding me until the other day.

I don’t remember her, but as you are always saying, Talón, I need to socialize more and spend time with my fellow humans. I hate humans, Talón, and I would rather spend time with my birds or with you. Of course, I don’t see you anymore.

Patricia asked if I wanted to go out for coffee some time and guess what? I said yes.

She said she knew this great place with a live band, but I confess, Talón, I’m a little nervous. I don’t go to bars or clubs. Not anymore at least.

Anyway, I will write soon.

Love, Roger

Friday, June 15, 2012

Dear Talón,

I just got back from the coffee with Patricia. It was somewhat fun. I was really scared though. I told her that, and she said that it was all right; we all have things that scare us.

I hope you’ve been well, Talón. I miss you, but someday we will see each other again. I wish you could meet her. I think you would like Patricia. I am not sure where I stand yet on what I think about her. She’s kind, but I am afraid I would disappoint you by dating her.She seemed inclined to do it again. I do not know that is wise. Perhaps I should just take some time and think on it.

Anyway, I will talk to you again.

Love, Roger

Monday, June 18, 2012

Dear Talón,

I have not seen her for a few days, and I am haunted by thoughts of her. It was only one outing that I had with her, but now I want more.Lately, my birds have not been enough.I have been feeling really anxious, and I think I should talk to Patricia again.

What would you do, Talón?Would you ask if she wanted to go out again? It feels so foreign to me. I wish I could see you again, Talón.

Also, I found this beautiful macaw at this bird shop near the capital. I am thinking of adopting it and adding her to my family. She is the most amazing bird I have ever seen, and I think she will fit in with my other birds, although I will have to get her a separate cage.

The phone is ringing, so I am going to answer it. I will finish your letter when I get done…

Okay, I am back. It was Patricia. She was calling to make sure I was all right. She asked if I wanted to see her again. I said yes, and we have an outing in a couple days. I will write you again, Talón. I hope everything finds you well, and I will let you know what comes of things concerning the macaw and Patricia.

Love, Roger

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Dear Talón,

I just had an amazing night with Patricia. We went out to this Italian restaurant, and I ordered a calzone. I did not finish it, but I will have it tomorrow. She ordered a pasta dish, but I am not sure what it was called. We also had root beer to drink, because I explained that I don’t drink. Not anymore. She was okay with that. She said her dad was an alcoholic, so she respected my decision.

I like her, Talón, I really like her. It has only been two outings, but I am starting to want to consider them dates.I asked if she liked birds, and she said no, not particularly, but she said that she could learn to like them.I asked her if she wanted to go to the aviary at the zoo. I could spend hours there, and I wanted to show it to her. And you know what, Talón? She said, “Yes, it’s a date.”

She considers it a date!It’s really cool. I hope you’re not mad, Talón, but you always say I should get out there. I will be seeing her on Saturday, so I will write then and let you know how it was.

Anyway, I will talk to you again. Wish me luck!

Love, Roger

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Dear Talón,

It’s Sunday! I’m sorry I did not write you yesterday like I said I would, but I got home so late that I fell asleep in my clothes.

Patricia is amazing.I wish you could meet her. We went to the zoo yesterday morning and walked around for a bit. It was really sunny yesterday, and so we went into the aviary for some shade. As you know, the aviary is humid just like the climate of the birds’ homes, but she seemed to enjoy the birds chirping and cawing.Then she did something I did not expect.She came around to face me, and then she kissed me, right there in the aviary!

“Patricia,” I had said, “you kissed me.”

“I did,” she said, “and I would like to do it again.”

So we kissed again, but it felt weird. I haven’t kissed anyone in many years, and it scared me. I hope you aren’t angry, Talón, but I think I love her.

After we left the aviary, we had lunch at one of the restaurants of the zoo. Then we watched a show at one of the amphitheaters just like you and I used to do. It was a man with a python, and he showed it to everyone, talking about its history, appetite, and many other things. The show was mainly for kids, but Patricia and I stood in the back, holding hands.

After we left the zoo, she asked if I wanted to go back to her place and play some board games. It felt like an insult to you, Talón, because we used to do that at your place. We played Monopoly, The Game of Life, and lastly we played a game of Risk, which we paused to order take-out. She beat me in the end, although it was close. By the time we were done, it was after midnight. So I drove home, flopped down on the couch, and fell asleep. She said I could stay the night, but I did not feel comfortable doing that since we have only had three dates in a little over a week.

Tell me, Talón, is that excessive? I will write again soon, but please promise me you won’t be jealous. I am happy again.

Love, Roger

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Dear Talón,

I’m sorry I have not written in a week, but things are going well. Patricia asked if I wanted to come over on Independence Day and hang out with her and some of her friends. She said she wanted to introduce her new boyfriend to her closest friends even though we have only been going out about three weeks. I know we are moving kind of fast, but she is special. She is like you, Talón, and I miss you, but I think you are happy for me.

I did something I have not done for a long while. I told her I loved her when we last parted, and she said she loved me too. Oh, Talón, I cry for you, but I need to move on.I hope you don’t mind. I will write when I can, but I won’t write as often anymore, I think.

Anyway, sorry if you are upset, Talón, but please be happy for me.

Love, Roger

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Dear Talón,

I have had a very bad day.I know I said I would not write as often, but I need your counsel. I went over to Patricia’s today, and I helped her make dinner. We were going to go meet her friends at the fireworks show on the lake, but she wanted to hang out first. That all went well, but then we went to meet her friends at the show around 7:00 p.m.. We sat on a blanket on the shore.

Her friends seemed nice at first, but then they gave her a hard time for moving so fast with me.They said they had seen her ex, Patrick, around earlier, and that he was looking for her. She sighed and said it did not matter, that she loved me, and was over him for good.

“How can you be so certain?” one of her friends asked. “You were with him for five years, and you two were engaged to be married. Patrick is a good guy. This guy here, (Patricia said ”he has a name, and it is Roger) is so new to you. You are throwing your life away. Patrick wants you back,” her friend continued, “Roger here is incredibly awkward and not your type.”

Patricia defended me, but I felt humiliated, and I could feel the tears burn my eyes. She said she loved me and did not care what anyone else thought. Then her friend said I was some bird-loving freak,--probably because I talked about birds all evening--and that I was just plain weird, and she deserved better. I could not take it anymore and I started to cry, and I ran back to her place.Then I got in my car and I rushed home.I hear the fireworks booming now, but I just want to be with you, Talón. I am scared and hurt.

She called me on my phone when I got home, and I said I was sorry that I was weird. She said she is on her way over because she wants to see me.Oh, I hear a knock at the door, I have to go.

Love, Roger

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Dear Elizabeth,

I know I have not written in a while, but I am deeply hurt, and I do not know what to do. As I have mentioned in our talks on the phone, I have met someone I really like. I know you said we have been moving fast and to be careful because I might get hurt, but I love her. Needless to say, I have been hurt. I met her friends yesterday, and they humiliated me at the fireworks, so I rushed home. Patricia came over and we talked, and I introduced her to my birds. I showed her my favorite, Talón, and she laughed. She said it was stuffed, but I said it was not; it is my favorite.

Then she said, “okay,” and I went to make some hot chocolate for us. When I came out, she was holding my letters to Talón in her hand, and she asked why I was writing to my bird. I couldn’t explain, Elizabeth, I couldn’t. She started to tear up, and she said I was weird and a bird-loving freak.She said she enjoyed the last three weeks, but she thought it was best that we break up because I obviously need help.

I don’t know what to do, Elizabeth. I love Talón, but I also love Patricia, and I do not know how I will go on without her.I lost Talón, and now I have lost Patricia. Help me!

Sincerely,

Roger

Friday, July 13, 2012

Dear Patricia,

You have never met me, but I hope we can meet someday. My name is Elizabeth Sanders, and you have been dating my brother the last month, although I hear you have broken up. I told him that you two seemed to be moving a little fast, and that he would get hurt, but he insisted that it would work out. He said he was in love with you.

Now, that might not mean much to you, and you may think he is weird and a “bird-loving freak,” but I tell you now that he wasn’t always that way. He used to be my strong, tough, big brother whom everyone went to when they needed help. He was a shoulder to lean on when people needed a good cry. He was married to a woman named Margaret. They were very much in love. They met when they were both pursuing their doctorates in ornithology at the university in town. They had affectionate names for each other. She called him Beaker and he called her Talón, as in beak and talon, which are body parts of the birds they both so loved.

Three years ago, they were driving home from the zoo where they worked in the aviary, and they were hit by a drunk driver. Margaret was killed instantly when the driver slammed into her side of the vehicle.Roger lost it after that. He withdrew from society and quit his job at the aviary. I bought him a white macaw to try and cheer him up, and he named her Talón after his wife.That seemed to help him a bit, and he would write letters to his wife and tuck them behind its cage at home.Then Talón died from who knows what, and Roger had her stuffed. He continued to write letters to his wife, which he put with the stuffed bird.

It may not make sense to you, Patricia, but I beg of you to talk to my brother. He has been so lost these past three years, and you make him happy.Even though you two were together less than a month, you made him happier than I have seen him in years.

He is weird, yes, but he is a good man, and I have faith that you can bring him out of his darkness.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth