Roses and Raven Feathers

With labored breaths — lumbering along the path of fallen leaves — he pushed on. After many long days of wandering, hunger and loneliness were finally taking their toll. Benny Jetso hadn’t seen one sign of what been looking for, but that wasn’t going to stop him searching.

He had left his group weeks ago to continue seeking large beasts that the radio told everyone were roaming the land. He soon realized, though, that he was really looking for something else.

What that was, he wasn’t quite sure… but he was going to find out.

You see, up until that radio broadcast, he had been a simple man — a regular resident of the small town of Swimport.

Then, one spring night, the radio news reported something astounding. Huge reptiles, also known as dinosaurs, were running rampant across the country! His town was one of many that was gripped in mass-panic.

At least, they all thought it was the news. Now, after not finding so much as a hoof-print, and not one of the dozens of people he asked having seen the creatures… he wasn’t so sure.

He had been one of six guys who jumped in a jalopy with a shotgun and rode around all night on patrol. As the sun rose, the rest of them decided to call it quits and go back. He defiantly left the car, however, and continued on foot.

Now he wondered why he did that. He hadn’t thought about his life, his friends… or even his younger sister. She was known as Miss Azalea and they had lived together for years after their parents died. His heart ached every time he thought about her.

He tried to tell himself she could manage. After all… she was eighteen now. And she had the whole town to take care of her. Plus the young man, Drew, who had gone back with the other guys in the car.

He hoped that was enough for her to cope. He knew that it would be difficult without him, though. Any time he tried to turn back, however, something inside stopped him. He had gone farther away than ever before… why stop now?

I’m sorry, Azzie, he thought to as he walked on.

***

After another few weeks, he made it to a large town called Waldemere. Everything gave the feel of a sophisticated European city. Every beach and lamp post was ornate. The streets were lined with boutique stores and quaint coffee shops. Everyone was dressed in coats or evening gowns.

In the heart of everything, there was a square with the most impressive church he had ever seen. And the church paired with an equally massive library across the way.

Half a block to the right, a beautiful green bridge spanned a peaceful river. Some children were up on the crest, fishing in the water below. What an amazing place to end up!

“Quite the view, isn’t it?” a voice said over his shoulder. He turned and saw a handsome man in a straw hat looking over.

“Yes, I guess so,” he said.

“I could just tell you were marveling at it,” the man said. “You must be new in town? “

“Yes, I am. Right,” he said. “Marveling is a good word. I’ve never seen anything like this place.”

“Well, you’re in luck, stranger,” the man said. “I have the afternoon off. I could show you around.”

“Really?” he asked. “Well… thank you, stranger. My name is Benny.”

“Winston,” the man said, extending his hand.

“Nice to meet you,” they said in unison. So… with a handshake, they were off!

***

They saw the “soup restaurant,” and the ice cream shoppe… as well as something brand new: the drive-in movie theater. This was unreal to Benny. You could drive a vehicle up to a speaker out and experience the cinema from a car?! How did they think of such things?!

He looked around at the groups and couples, in more varieties of car. It was something he could only imagine before.

As he walked around this fantastical scene, taking it all in… his eyes fell on a striking woman. She had flowing auburn hair and dressed in a mauve coat. Time stopped as he walked by. She was walking back toward a group in a large dune-buggy.

Without thinking, he ran over to her. Winston yelled out, and began to run after him. He didn’t hear Winston, or anyone else for that matter.

He caught the you woman’s attention, introduced himself. She seemed a bit uncomfortable, but nicely surprised to see him. She told him her name was Raven. He said some joke about being “free as a bird.” She smiled awkwardly and turned to leave.

“Wait!” he called out. She turned back to him. “Look I’m new in town, don’t really know the rules of the road here… ok?” She smiled slightly. “Could I see you, maybe tomorrow, and we could start over?” She looked him over.

“Ok, Barry,” she said.

“Benny,” he corrected.

“I work at the Low Light until 9,” she said. “You may meet me there tonight for a walk.”

“Oh,” he said. “Ok, 9 o’clock. I’ll be there!” She smiled and went back on her way. He turned back and saw Winston watching from 30 feet away. He gave Benny a thumbs-up.

“I was gonna stop you,” he said as Benny came within earshot. “But glad it worked out for you, newbie.”

“I guess,” Benny said with a chuckle. “Uh… what’s the Low Light?”

“Oh!” he said as his grin faded. “Low Light Bistro. Now I remember! I’ve seen her waitressing there.”

“She said I can meet here there at 9.”

“A-ha! An after-work stroll. There you go!”

***

The walk was pleasant, and he seemed to be connecting with her. She took him to get ice cream and they watched as children were still playing games in an outdoor arcade of sorts.

Later on, she showed him a statue on the edge of town. It was of a tall, distinguished man wearing a monocle and an industrial-era coat.

“This was Tobias Alterman,” she said. “One of the preeminent innovators of the town. And… my grandfather!”

“Your grandfather?!” Benny marveled. “No way!” She chuckled and told him all about it.

Just when he thought things were going perfectly, he ran face first into another faux paus. She bristled and cut the night short.

He swore then and there, he would make it right. She had said she visited the statue every day. So the next day, he bought a dozen roses and found the crafting store, which happened to sell feathers. He was told they were raven feathers, but had no way to make sure.

He left them right in front of the statue with a note. He had hoped Raven would come up to him later on, but she never. The next morning, however… the flowers were gone.

With renewed enthusiasm, he did it again the next day. Winston would stay with him wherever he could and Benny developed a routine in town.

The next day, once again, the flowers were gone. She never came to find him though. He did the same thing the next day, and the next day. Winston watched him repeat this ritual for over a week.

One day, he finally asked Benny when he might stop. Benny said he wouldn’t, until the day that she stopped taking his flowers. as fate would have it, that day was the following Saturday.

He eagerly ran back to the statue and was bowled over to see yesterday’s roses and feathers still lying there.

He dropped what he was carrying, and went to slump over the ruby flowers. She had done it. She truly cut him off, without the possibility of another chance.

He hung his head a tears formed. How could she do this?!

Winston came walking over. He took of his hat and held it at heart level. He kneeled down and put a hand on his shoulder.

“You did the best you could,” he said warmly.

“I guess not!” Benny said as his voice cracked.

“Yes, you did!” he shot back. “This is incredible what you did for her. This is amazing. If she can’t see that, it’s her problem.”

“Thanks, but —“

“No, seriously! So few people would do this. If someone made this type of gesture for me… well, I would be honored. I might even fall in love.”

“Well… we’re both alone now. It didn’t amount to anything.” Winston took his hands.

“No, Benny. It did amount to something.” Benny looked down as a tear slid from his eye. Winston reached over and brushed the tear away. “And… we don’t have to be alone.”

“What do you mean?” Benny asked. Winston caressed his face and leaned in. He planted his lips on Benny’s. Benny pulled back and looked at him, dumbfounded. He suddenly saw a glow around his friend like he had never seen before. Never felt it before, either.

Winston reached over and pulled him close. They fell into a tender kiss as the spirited wind circled around them. Benny would never think of feathers again!