14. Robert

Chapter fourteen

Robert

Sara's actions are unprecedented.

I've seen people step up and take care of animals before, but not in the way that Sara just did. She sprang into action, treating that animal's wound on instinct.

I love it.

We sit down on the couch. Sara flushes, and I turn to her.

"That was impressive, what you did back there. That poor bird would have suffered and died without your help."

"Really? I just thought that it was my job—"

"Sara, most people don't take care of animals so quickly, let alone treat them like it's a natural instinct. I loved seeing it."

"Thanks," she replies, looking away embarrassed. I pull her close to me, enjoying the warmth of her body. At first, she tenses at the closeness, but after a smile from me she relaxes.

Seeing that side of her is such a stark contrast from the woman that I thought I'd be here with. In fact, it's a welcome sight.

"When you went over there, I thought maybe you were seeing something glistening. I never expected an animal."

"It's instinct," she replies.

"That's one heck of an instinct!"

I care about animals, but I don't have that kind of impulsive movement when one of them is hurt. I'm a little jealous because she didn't even think twice. She just moved and cared for the animal and asked questions later.

"Thanks. I guess when I saw the bird, I realized I had to do what we would do at the sanctuary."

"You keep mentioning that you work at a sanctuary. What's the work like?"

She nods, her eyes widening as she smiles, thinking about it. "It's just a part-time gig, but I work with mostly senior animals of all kinds, like those that are a little too old to be on their own, or animals that people aren't able to take care of because they're so old.

Sometimes animals and their owners grow old together and get to a point where they both need help, so we're their resource for the animals. And sadly, there are heartbreaking cases where people just don't want their animals when they get old. I can't imagine that, but our motto is not to judge but to care.

"Robert, we even have a gorgeous African grey parrot who is 62 years old!" she exclaims almost breathlessly. "We know Claude's age because we actually have his birth certificate! Yeah! He outlived two generations of his people who loved and cared for him from a hatchling, and he went through a long grief for them.

But we have one young gal, Barb, who is his particular caregiver, so even though she cannot take him home to her apartment, they have bonded so closely that he seems much happier than when he arrived a year or so ago. She hopes to adopt him when she has her own place. That's the ultimate goal!"

"Sara, I'm so enthralled with the things you know and what you do! It's amazing how much you get to know the animals in your care. I never knew that a bird could live that long! Or that they remember people and grieve. That's amazing!"

"African greys are considered one of the world's most intelligent animals—with the same intelligence level as a toddler!" They are quite amazing and I feel very blessed to have seen one up close and personal."

"That's pretty impressive, Sara."

"Oh…oh.." she says and begins to chuckle. "I've got a really cute story about an African Grey if you'd like to hear it." At my nod she continues. " My friend Judy has a beautiful Grey named Charlie and they live in a first-floor apartment in South Florida. Her neighbor told her this story.

It was Spring or Fall, can't recall, but it was cool enough to have the AC off and the windows open to screens. One day the UPS guy came with a delivery and knocked on the door. He heard her say ‘Come in' but of course he wasn't about to just open the door and go in. So, he knocks again and he hears here call out to come in."

"After a few more rounds of this, he hears a woman's voice from the apartment window above yell down ‘For Pete's sake, will you quit already? You're talking to a bird!'"

Now Sara is really cracking herself up, thinking about her friend not being home but Charlie mimicking her voice and knowing exactly what to say to a door knock!

"That's pretty cute, Sara," and I snort out a laugh, but I'm not so much laughing at the story but at Sara who is having such fun retelling it.

Thanks for the mercy laugh, mister. Well, I think it's a funny story, even if you are laughing at me instead of with me." Now she gives me a totally fake pout and cracks me up yet again. That leads to a light bout of shoulder punches and more laughs.

"Robert, there another side of me and what I love to do. I've helped many different animals, from dogs to cows to even horses and birds, live their best lives. We treat them until they are unable to get treatment for a condition they have. When that happens, we run a sort of hospice, giving them their best final days." She explains.

"For instance, when we know that we will have to put down an animal, say a dog, that fella gets ice cream, cheese spray, and any other special treat he may want that final day. Even though it's a sad time, it is such a delight seeing the joy such a small thing brings."

"Wow. That's so sweet of you, Sara. What a wonderful place it must be."

"Thanks," she replies, sighing. "I was a little worried about telling you."

"Why?" I ask curiously. It's not that crazy of a job. I mean, sure, running a senior sanctuary and animal hospice isn't something you hear about every day, but it makes sense in a way.

"Well, lots of people think it's dumb."

I scoff, unable to believe that. "How could someone find it dumb?"

"Because it doesn't make money. I don't do it for a paycheck. I do it for the animals. In fact, my dream is to one day run my own sanctuary and get out of the barista life," she finally shares.

"That sounds like a wonderful goal. Incredibly admirable, if I'm being honest."

Sara's face lightens at my words.

"When I told my parents that I wanted to do this, they told me it was stupid. I stopped getting financial help after I got my bachelor's degree, so I've been scrambling to go back to school and get my veterinary degree. Then, I can look at possibly running my own sanctuary and taking care of animals there."

"That would be wonderful, I admit. I've never heard of this before, and it sounds so selfless and sweet."

She smiles, looking down at her hands. She rubs them against each other as she speaks.

"You think so?"

"Yes," I reply. "That's really sweet, and I know you'd do well with it. Honestly, I'm a little jealous."

"Why?"

"Because you have this cool dream. Honestly, I just wanted something that provides security. I've always loved animals, and hearing that this is the end goal is sweet."

She blushes and then smiles.

"Thank you, Robert. Honestly, I was a little nervous telling you. I thought you'd think it's something fruitless to go for, too."

"How's it fruitless? It's a dream."

I look out the window. The waves crash to the shore as nightfall takes over the sky. I take a deep breath, breaking the silence.

"My ex-fiancée was an animal lover too. She never wanted what you desire, but she loved dogs. She wanted to adopt and rescue strays. I told her that once I had the space, we could do that."

"That was kind of you."

"I'm glad you think so," I chuckle. I look at her as the realization sets in. We're more alike than I thought. Hearing Sara come forth about her dreams like this makes me like her even more. It makes me realize these feelings I'm having aren't temporary either.

She goes on: "But yeah, this dream is something I've been working toward ever since I was a kid. My Granny Ruth had a little farm specifically for horses. I used to go out there and ride them. I guess that's how I ended up on this path. I especially love horses and the older ones are mostly so gentle and love the attention they get from us."

"Hey, sometimes others put you on a certain path, inspiring you to follow your dreams and goals."

She giggles, nodding. "True. I do think she's responsible for it. Granny passed before I started college, and one day, I want to dedicate a sanctuary to her and the care she brought to animals in her own way."

"It's possible. And quite the dream."

When I hear Sara's words, I feel the pull to help. I want to help her with these dreams, even though I'm not sure what will happen in the future.

My heart races. I move slightly closer, holding her tightly.

"You know, hearing about this dream makes me realize how special you are because you're actively following it."

"I am. I won't stop until I have it."

"I want to help then," I offer.

She blinks, confused by my words.

"Really? How?"

"I don't know for sure, but I want to help you however I can. Even if it's just cheering you in your corner, I know that this is the right thing to do."

"Thank you, Robert."

She yawns, stretching her arms. Her dress moves up slightly, revealing her beautiful, shapely legs. Her green eyes turn toward me again as she gestures to her bedroom.

"Anyway, I would love to talk more, but I'm exhausted."

"I know. I'd love to learn more about it."

"Maybe tomorrow," she adds between yawns.

She heads off to bed, and for a little bit, I ponder if I can come with her to the sanctuary one day. I know that it's a personal dream for her, but on hearing this, it inspires me to do something. I want to help her because her radiant beauty and sweetness have me completely mesmerized, and I just want to do what's right for her.

The next morning, a knock at the front door wakes me. I walk over, opening the door to see two workers from the vet clinic on the island.

"You called about a bird last night?" one of them says. He has on a pair of coveralls and bite-proof gloves.

Footsteps echo behind me as Sara walks out. She's wearing a pair of simple cotton shorts and a T-shirt. Her hair's a mess of unbrushed bedhead, but she's smiling.

"Yes, over here."

She walks out onto the back porch, and the two rescue members follow. I trail behind them as they head to where the bird is. It sits in the cage, and she gestures to it.

"Here he is. I tried to bandage the wing as best as I could."

The guy with the gloves opens the door and secures the bird in his hands. It doesn't fight or bite him, much to my surprise.

"Thank you. We'll nurse him back to health."

The other member looks at the bird's wing, studying it.

"This is a well-done brace. You've dressed these before."

"Sure have," she exclaims. "I actually work at an animal sanctuary back home."

"Impressive. Thanks."

The two workers secure the bird in a carrier and walk through the house. As they drive off down the road back to the island, I stare out, happy that at least the bird's in good care.

"Looks like they'll take it from here."

"Yeah, they will."

I turn, looking at Sara once more. I want to ask her what I thought about last night after she went to bed.

"Something on your mind? We can go get breakfast and then see your family. Or whatever it is you want to do out here."

"Yeah, we can. Listen, first there's something I want to ask you, Sara."

"Sure, what is it?"

I hesitate, hoping that it doesn't sound desperate or weird.

"You mentioned taking care of horses and riding them. Do you ride at the sanctuary?"

"I do. Why?" she asks.

"I wanted to see if you'd like to go ride horses together. I have one named Orchid, and I haven't gone for a good ride in a bit."

Orchid's my competition horse. She wins me money on horse betting, but more than that, she's a companion I've had ever since the mess with Maria. Even though Maria took away my trust for so long, she did inspire me to have my own animal, which helped with the grief.

"Oh, sure! I never thought about your liking to ride horses."

"It's a hobby," I reply casually. "We can talk about that when we get back, however. I think for now our best bet is to enjoy the rest of our time here in Bermuda."

"Yeah, let's go."

As we prepare to go to breakfast, my mom and dad call to say that Aunt Cassie and Great Uncle Willie are conveniently busy. Good! They probably didn't want to be insulted with the truth again.

We head out, and the whole time I think about this. I do want to see Sara happy. Being able to give her this opportunity and chance warms my heart and brings me a feeling of relief, or maybe it's joy.

I don't know where the future will take us, but if I can learn more about her dream, maybe there's something I can do to help her achieve it and give her everything she's ever wanted.

And maybe that might be me too.