Chapter 7
SEVEN
“Alright, stop.”
I chuckle as Mike brings his bike to a dramatic halt at the edge of the cliffside trail. With a groan, he hops off and drops to the ground, arms splayed wide to either side of him.
“Weak,” Jason mutters with a smirk, braking next to me.
“Can’t even handle the last two kilometres,” I tease, shaking my head at Mike as he sprawls out on the grass with his chest heaving.
He raises a single finger in the air. “After twenty kilometres, you assholes,” he says, his voice breathless but defiant.
Jason huffs out a laugh and steps off his bike. “Twenty-two, actually.”
“Oh, even better,” Mike mumbles, eyes closed as he seems to sink deeper into the grass.
I unclip my helmet and drop down next to him, letting him have this break before we finish the ride. But they keep at it, as Jason teases Mike that he’s in better shape despite having a newborn at home that keeps him from getting out as much.
While they bicker away, I let their banter fade into the background and turn my attention to the cliffside view.
The ocean stretches out past the rocky ledge before us, shimmering in the late-morning light with the sun shining directly overhead. But my eyes stay glued to the iceberg floating just beyond the shore, its towering points shining in the sun against the darker blue of the water. My eyes trace the lines and crevices of the iceberg, down to the waterline where it grows even larger. And I know it’s larger still under the surface, so much of it hidden in the depths of the ocean. I find myself wondering how much of it we’re actually seeing, and how much of it is lurking below in the cold, shadowed water. It’s a reminder of how little we know about something just by looking at the surface…
“What’s your favourite font?” Mike’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
Jason and I exchange a look over Mike where he’s still lying in the grass. But Jason just shakes his head and takes a sip from his water bottle, leaving me to deal with this one.
“I don’t think I can evennamea font,” I reply, looking down at him in confusion. “Why the fuck are we talking about fonts?”
Mike sits up and gazes out at the iceberg. “It’s my new job.” Then he points a finger at me. “I told Andrea that I was onto her. That I knew the table settings were already figured out. So, now I’m in charge of table numbers.” He nods proudly. “Hence, the font.”
“Ah,” I say, biting back a smile. “Well, I’m still not your guy for that.”
“Perhaps wingdings,” Jason says seriously.
Mike’s eyes light up and he turns to him. “Oh, I don’t think I know that one. I’ll look into it. ”
Jason just nods with a hint of a smile on his lips. “Good plan.”
I shake my head with a chuckle, taking a long drink from my water bottle as I return my attention to the ocean. But Mike doesn’t let me keep it there very long.
“So, you going to tell us what kept you so busy yesterday that you bailed on us at the brewery?” he asks.
I turn to face them, and they’re both watching me, eagerly waiting for my answer.
“I was at work,” I say, shrugging lightly.
But Mike shakes his head. “You don’t work weekends.”
A sigh escapes me as I rub a hand over my face. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to explain this today.
Mike grins widely and smacks my arm. “I knew it. There’s a dude, isn’t there? What’s his name? Was it a good fuck?”
I roll my eyes and smack him back. “No, asshole. I was actually at work. A guy brought a bird into the St. John’s clinic on Friday, so I was following up after surgery.”
“Oh.” Mike winces. “Well, not as exciting. But good for the bird, I guess.”
I turn back to the water, and reluctantly give in. “Then I spent the day at the clinic… with the guy who brought the bird in.”
“ Now we’re talking,” Mike says excitedly. “Question still stands then.”
“I didn’t fuck him.”
“Yet?”
“Fuck off.”
“Well, what’s the deal then?” Mike asks, and Jason elbows him from his other side, giving him a look to shut up. But we both know he won’t.
I look down at the grass we’re sitting on and tear out a blade, rolling it between my fingers. “I don’t even fucking know, man. There’s no way this guy is even remotely interested in me.”
Mike frowns. “Why? Ripped, athletic veterinarians aren’t his cup of tea?”
I shoot him a look. “I’d say people aren’t his cup of tea.”
Mike raises an eyebrow, and Jason tilts his head, both waiting for more. I let out a heavy breath, unsure how to explain this. This guy that’s been on my mind since Friday, even though we’ve barely spoken about anything other than birds and research.
“He’s…” I release a sigh, dropping the blade of grass and grabbing another. “He’s calculated, precise, and so… literal. He’s a wildlife photographer and birdwatcher, and I think that’s all he does. He seems to keep to himself, is generally reserved and awkward, not interested in small talk or engaging with me at all… he’s just into this bird.” I shrug. “And yet… there’s just something so fucking endearing about him. He’s got this intense focus, seems to love wildlife and wilderness, and when he actually did open up a little, it was… I don’t know. I just want to know more.”
Jason and Mike are silent for a moment, and I wince to myself as I realize I just let out everything I’m still trying to make sense of myself. I glance over at them as they both watch me.
But Jason just nods slowly. “Sounds like the complete opposite of every guy you’ve ever dated.”
I chuckle. “Yeah. I thought that already.”
Mike shrugs. “So, go for it.”
Another chuckle escapes me, but this time it’s one of defeat. “I feel like I barely got him to the clinic to see the bird that he was actually eager to see. I’m not exaggerating when I say I don’t think he’s interested in me at all.”
Mike shakes his head, staring out at the iceberg again. “ Well, you’ve never been one to go for just anyone, so there must be something between you. Otherwise, why are you even interested?”
Both Jason and I turn to look at him.
“When did you get smart?” Jason asks.
Mike’s eyes widen and he just shakes his head. “I don’t know man, that came out of nowhere.”
We all laugh, but then I sigh, running a hand through my hair.
“Yeah, well…” I push to my feet. “I’ll be keeping him up to date on the bird’s recovery, so we’ll see what happens. Let’s keep going.”
Mike groans as he stands as well, and we all grab our bikes. But just as I’m buckling my helmet, a small chirp catches my attention. I glance towards the tree line, where a small bird hops between rocks about ten feet away from me. I can’t help but watch it, as it almost looks like a Blue Jay in small songbird form, with a vivid blue back and striking black markings on its face and sides. I’ve never seen a bird like this before, and I can’t tear my eyes away from it.
And now I’m thinking of Arthur again…
Suddenly, I’m pulling out my phone and snapping a picture of the bird as it continues to hop along the rocks and pick at leaves. After I type out a message to Arthur, my thumb hovers over send for a moment. But I hit it, and my heart thumps a little harder.
Out for a bike ride and came across this little one. I’ve never seen this bird before… know what it is?
“Ready?”
I look up at Mike and Jason on their bikes, ready to go and waiting for me. My gaze drops to my phone screen, and disappointment settles when there’s no response. Seriously, why am I doing this to myself…
But just as I’m about to lock my screen, the texting bubbles appear as he starts typing a message to me.
Arthur
That’s a Black-throated Blue Warbler. I last saw one on the Avalon Peninsula ten months and two weeks ago, and it was a female which are a plain grey-olive colour and not blue and black like this male. A male Black-throated Blue Warbler is on my list to see this year. Where is this?
I smile as I read his text, feeling his excitement through the phone. And mine builds as well.
“Eh, b’y! You coming?”
I glance up at Mike, staring back at me with his hands wide, and an impatient look on his face.
But I just wave my hand at them to go on. “I’ll… catch up.”
They share a knowing look with each other and Jason chuckles. “Ohh, he’s got it bad.”
I flip them off and they laugh, turning towards the path.
“Have fun!” Mike yells as they take off, leaving me alone with this Black-throated Blue Warbler, and the buzzing anticipation building in my chest.
Just near Ferryland. I’ll drop the location to you.
I’m just about to leave. But if you’re coming out… I could meet you? I’d like to hear more about it.
I hit send before I even think about it, then immediately question my own sanity. He lives in Briar’s End, and Ferryland is not that close. Am I really going to wait here for him, potentially for a couple hours? What the fuck is wrong with me…
There’s nothing but silence from him on the other end. I’m just about to give myself a reality check and follow Mike and Jason, when my phone buzzes.
I’m already hiking nearby. Be there in half an hour.
A wide smile spreads across my face, and this time, I don’t even try to tamp it down.
See you soon.