Parrot And Girl

Chapter 40 (End)

"How are you holding up?" Sarah Reynolds asked me.

I shrugged silently as I lay still in the bed. With my back towards the door, and facing an empty wall. I never made an effort to fill it up, even when I came to live in the Reynolds family's house, or even now since I'm back. There was no use staying in New England anyway, or Uncle Alex's home since he's also gone in peace. It wasn't my decision, but they said it was for the best to have it sold. And I had no say in that decision, but instead went with it.

Even when I was orphaned on the night my parents and Joey got killed, the house was already burned to the ground and there was no remains, apart from ashes and what was left of their bodies. But in both situations, I had to accept the consequences that came after it. But along those consequences, came new places to live, and new people who came into my life, and I in theirs.

There was no end to what goes in and out of life.

"Do you want to talk?" Sarah asked again after not answering.

It's as if I was back to the old Lola, "what's there to talk about?"

Chico squawked repeatedly, "it's okay Lola, it's okay Lola!"

She got a sigh in return, but I did hear creak of her footsteps coming closer. I felt her warm hand on my shoulder, giving it a light reassuring squeeze. I gave no reaction to that, as my eyes still stayed focused on the wall. I didn't dare lift or turn my head to face her, and it looked like she knew I wasn't in the mood to face anybody. Even her sons tried to do the same thing she did, but gave up as I ignored them. For a week I stayed in my room, sometimes crying my eyes out, and other times dry tears, but not one day did I leave. Sometimes they would bring a plate of food only to find them untouched. Except I only drank water, and ate fruits only.

Even Chico knew something was up the moment, I returned from the hospital Uncle Alex was in he saw I was sad. I cried everyday of the week hopelessly, and he stayed by my side, sometimes cuddling, and other times pecking my cheek with his beak as if to catch each tears. If I wasn't crying, I would be in an 'aw' that a parrot like him can show they understand or worry if something is happening to their owner. But right now, this week, I feel like a lot of weight has been pushed against my shoulders.

Seeing the discomfort, I heard Sarah sighing, and sniffing before deciding to leave me alone. I lay in bed, feeling the guilt weighing against my shoulders as the door shut behind her. Then there's me, just staying still as Chico jumps from the bed board, lands beside me on the bed.

"It's okay Lola, it's okay Lola." He squawks again, and again as he rubs his head against my cheek. I said nothing, as I brought my hand up, and rubbed against his. Then my eyes tear up again for a millionth time this week.

I weep, "why does this always happen to me?" I cry harder, making Chico react to it, and kept repeated those words over, and over again. It was endless as tears refuse to stay in, and I was in this state for minutes until there was non left. My eyes still feels wet, read, and utterly ridiculous but somehow they gave out.

This went on for longer.

When the Reynolds gave up, coming into senses of the situation after realising I wouldn't face them. Even Chico seem to see that his owner had given up, so he did his own things such as pecking his feathers, and say random words he has learned, ate his food and sometimes glancing my way. It doesn't bother me much. And when he decides to sit on me, he let me ruffle his feathers. I enjoy the little company coming from the little bird.

He squawked, "I'm here, I'm here."

How is it that having an animal around makes someone happy? Like right now, even though my heart is aching, the pain I'm feeling seems to fade away a little. Even after everything that had happened, the sadness I felt seems to have gone for a while.