Page 44 of Other Birds
Oliver sat by the pool trying to focus on a breathing technique his therapist at school had taught him. Breathe in for seven counts. Hold for four. Breathe out for eight. Over and over. He hadn’t had to use the technique in a while, but the Rondo had done something screwy to his head, ever since he’d shown up for that interview. He didn’t like how desperate it made him feel, and how fixated he was.
He took his phone out of his pocket and checked to see if the listing for environmental manager was still up on the Rondo’s website. It was, and that made him feel marginally better. Maybe there had been a lot of applicants to go through. He decided to go with that, because otherwise it meant they weren’t totally sold on Oliver and they were waiting for someone better to come along. Everything would fall into place as soon as Garland’s father got home and Garland put in a good word for Oliver. Everything was going to be fine.
Garland came outside alone with a Bloody Mary in her hand. Her sunglasses were hiding her hungover eyes from the vicious morning sunlight. She sat in a lounge chair beside him, still pretending that she hadn’t just spent another night with Cooper. Cooper would follow in a few minutes, keeping up the ruse. The Heathers weren’t up yet, but Roy was already sunbathing in a tiny bathing suit, two lounge chairs away.
Garland was growing more and more on edge as their week together neared its close. Oliver knew enough about anxiety to recognize it, and he’d tried a few times to get her to talk to him because all this subterfuge was obviously exhausting everyone. But she’d shut him down.
Before Oliver could say anything to her that morning, his phone dinged. Garland frowned. He lifted it to see that it was a text from Zoey.
I’m on a quest. Do you know where I can find a copy of Dancing with the Dellawisps?
He watched Garland turn her head slightly toward the open French doors, surreptitiously looking for Cooper. Oliver quickly typed a response.
There’s this great thing called The Internet, ever heard of it?
She answered before he could put away his phone.
College graduate AND a comedian. You’re such a Renaissance man.
Oliver smiled despite himself and he felt his shoulders relax a little.
It’s a gift.
My birthday is next week and I wanted to treat myself to a copy. But they’re so rare. The last one sold on eBay two years ago.
Ask Frasier.
I did. He said he gave away all his copies.
Yes, and one of those copies Frasier had given to Oliver, a long time ago. Oliver remembered having to hide it from his mother, who had hated having a book in the house that wasn’tSweet Mallow.The book was now in Oliver’s car, somewhere. He’d forgotten that he’d brought it with him to California until he’d found it while moving out of his dorm last week. It had been an unexpectedly emotional time for him, leaving his home of four years. He’d never been able to achieve the real happiness he thought he’d find out here, but he’d at least been able to live between the past and the future, weirdly protected from both, while in college. He envied that Zoey was just starting that journey.
Oliver glanced at Garland. She was still preoccupied with watching for Cooper, so he focused on his phone and typed:
When does school start?
August.
He remembered her earlier text about not knowing what she wanted to do. Oliver had known that he’d wanted to work in hotels since he was sixteen, but college had taught him so much more than what he thought he’d wanted to learn.
I’m glad I went to college. You will be, too.
Why did you go so far away?
You just cleaned out that condo. You already know the answer.
Do you miss Mallow Island?
“Who are you texting?” Garland asked, bringing Oliver back to California. Her sudden interest meant Cooper was near.
“Someone from home,” he said, starting to put his phone away.
But Garland grabbed it from him and started scrolling. “Who is Zoey?”
“I honestly don’t know. That old friend from home gave her my number. She’s just starting school.” Garland handed the phone back to him as if disappointed. “Have you heard from your dad?”
“No. Be patient, Oliver. I told you.”
“I can’t afford to wait much longer.”
