Christmas Lovebirds

by Rachelle Ayala

  To: Lovebone

  From: HaveAHart

  Re: Flying

  Your profile says you live in San Francisco. So do I. Do you think we can meet somewhere and talk more about our birds?

  I don’t have many friends with birds. Well, actually there was one, and Cassie enjoyed playing with his bird, but it didn’t work out.

  Melisa paused, staring at the blinking cursor. Why was she asking a complete stranger to meet her and talk about birds? He could be a pervert or a criminal for all she knew. But then, why would he bother moderating a bird forum? He sounded reasonable lately, and face it, he had to be lonely, too. It was the day before Christmas Eve and everyone who had family was busy. Maybe Lovebone was a crotchety old man who needed someone to talk to. She swallowed a lump and continued.

  There’s a coffee shop near me that allows me to bring my bird, as long as she’s in a cage. It’s called The Love Bean. I know, kind of a cheesy name, but the barista can never get my bird to speak to him. If you’re interested, we can meet sometime.

  HaveAHart

  Knock. Knockety. Knock. Melisa tucked Cassie on her shoulder, hoping it wasn’t Larry. The night he returned after not finding her car, she’d been honest with him and explained that while she always thought of him as a friend, her heart was tied up with someone else. She suggested they take a break from doing friend things so he could develop other interests and maybe meet other women.

  Surprisingly enough, Larry had been gracious—after being confused and equating needing to be rescued with being available for a romantic relationship.

  Her heart thumped as she tiptoed to the peephole. What would she say if it was Rob? The liar. Maybe Cait was right. Men who talked romance were insincere assholes. She wouldn’t put it past Rob to read romances and get the inside track on how to talk a good talk while lying his way into her heart.

  “Melisa, it’s Ella. I brought Ben and Jerry’s.” Her girlfriend knew the secret code to get into her apartment.

  Melisa whipped the door open. “How did you know I’d be here needing Ben and Jerry’s?”

  “I ran into Rob at the Fight the Fire Christmas Ball.”

  “What? He went? With who?”

  “If you want to know, ask him yourself.” Ella rolled her eyes and flapped her hand dismissively.

  Squeak! Cassie took off, flying right out the door into the hallway.

  “Oh, no.” Melisa ran out with her bare feet. “Cassie, Cassie.”

  Ella dropped the bag with the ice cream and ran after her. “Someone left the lobby door propped open.”

  The bird swept through the door, and horrors of horrors, the window to the fire escape was open.

  “Cassie!” Melisa screamed. She tore down the stairs and ran through the courtyard to the street. “Cassie.”

  “What happened?” A passerby asked.

  “My bird flew away. Oh, God. My bird. Did you see her? She’s a little one, green with an orange head and a black cap on it.”

  “No, sorry. I haven’t seen a bird.”

  More people gathered around, but no one saw Cassie. Golden Gate Park wasn’t far. What if she flew over there and truly got lost? Plus, she wasn’t even a proficient flyer.

  “Melisa, you’re not wearing shoes. Your feet will get cut.” Ella touched her shoulder. “Let’s go back and put up flyers.”

  “No, I can’t give up. Poor Cassie. She’s probably scared. I can’t imagine she can fly far.” Melisa ran down her street, staring at the hot wires of the electric trolley. “If she lands on a wire, she’s toast.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Rob hovered over Melisa HaveAHart’s last message. He’d better tell her who he was, or she’d accuse him of tricking her. How’d she put it?

  Weaseling your way into my heart.

  Last night, he’d gone to the Fight the Fire Christmas Ball as a last minute “date.” Of course, he ended up talking about Melisa the entire time.

  He’d tried to make amends with Connor who surprisingly, had a real date, an Elaine look-alike named Sheila who was a graduate student in public policy. But Connor had refused to speak to him. Every time he got close, Connor was liplocked with Sheila.

  Hypocrite. What happened to his holding out for Elaine? Marking her off-limits when they’d broken up ten years ago? What gave Connor the right to mark Melisa off-limits?

  Except Rob had been in the wrong to hide things from Melisa. Just like now. He was Lovebone, and he was worming his way into a conversation with her without revealing his identity.

  He typed and retyped his message. No two ways about it. She’d be pissed and would not agree to a meeting at The Love Bean coffee shop. Nope, he could not hide behind his screenname any longer. He typed.

  To: HaveAHart

  From: Lovebone

  Re: The Love Bean meeting

  Melisa, I have a confession to make. I’m Rob Reed, aka Lovebone on the Parrot Forum. You probably thought I was a jerk when I told you to call a fireman. After meeting you at the ER and hearing your story about your bird being stuck on the overhead light bar, I realized you were HaveAHart.

  I should have outed myself then, but instead, I closed the Fly and No Fly Zone forum and wrote you nicer notes. You probably think I’m a phony by now, wondering if I’ve really changed my mind about people who clip their bird’s wings.

  The truth is, I have changed, and I realized after meeting you that we shouldn’t fight about the way people care for their pets, or say my way is right and yours is wrong.

  Today, when you contacted me, I should have told you again who I am. You probably would have stopped writing me had you known.

  Well, now you know. I still wish to meet with our birds at The Love Bean, but I understand if you no longer want to chat.

  Love, Rob

  He hit ‘send’ and waited for a reply. None came. A black cloud of grief descended on him, and his heart wouldn’t settle down. Something was wrong. She should have at least messaged him back and told him off—berated him for being a phony.

  He couldn’t send another message, and he could no longer sit inside his apartment.

  “Casey,” he whistled to his bird. “Come.”

  The little bird flew over and landed on his hand.

  “Let’s go for a walk.” This time, he placed Casey in a travel cage. “Too bad, bud, no more free flight outdoors. Melisa’s right. There are hawks and other dangers. I wouldn’t be a good bird parent if I don’t make sure you’re safe.”

  He looked up The Love Bean and parked in front of it. A horde of people were milling around. Had something happened?

  As soon as he took Casey and his cage out of the car, a man charged him. “There’s the bird. I found it. I get the reward.”

  “What are you talking about?” He held the cage tightly. “This is my bird.”

  “A woman lost her bird and it looks exactly like this one.” The man gestured at a color poster. Lost Lovebird. Named Cassie. She doesn’t fly well. Please call or email with any information.

  Rob’s pulse shot through the roof. Melisa lost Cassie?

  “You sure that’s not the lady’s bird?” a woman asked as Rob made his way into the shop. There seemed to be a gathering there.

  “Hey, someone’s got your bird,” another man shouted into the shop.

  “Over here, over here,” a little boy said.

  “No, no, this is my bird.” Rob tried to hold the people back.

  “Cassie, Cassie.” Melisa surged from the crowd and peered into the cage. “You found her? Rob, is this Cassie?”

  “No. It’s Casey.” Rob took her hand. “What happened to Cassie?”

  “She flew out the window about an hour ago. I should never have let her fly.”

  “We’ll find her, miss.” The barista handed her a cup of coffee. “Here’s your latte. On the house.”

  “Yes, we’ll find her,” Rob parroted, still holding her hand. “I’ve an idea. How about if I let Casey loose and have him look for her?”


  “No, no, it’s too risky,” Melisa said, finally pulling her hand from his. “You see those streetcar wires? If he lands on them, he’ll be fried.”

  “Only if he grounds himself by touching the pole at the same time,” Rob said, then realized what an ass he was for thinking technically. “How about I walk around with him and have him call for her? I won’t give up.”

  “Neither will I,” Larry D said as he barged through the door and stood at Melisa’s side. “I brought your shoes and a jacket.”

  “Oh, thanks.” She wiped her eyes. “You’re always so good to me.”

  “That’s because you’re the best.” He held the jacket for her. “I’ll leave no tree unscoured, no bush unturned to find your bird.”

  “Thanks,” Melisa said meekly as she slipped on her tennis shoes. “Everyone’s so nice to me.”

  “Okay, listen up.” Larry encircled his mouth with his large hands. “Let’s organize the search party. I brought maps. Melisa’s bird couldn’t have gone far. She’s a domesticated lovebird with wings that are not fully grown out. Her flight muscles have not been used, so it’s likely she landed on a ledge on one of the apartment buildings nearby. I want everyone to take a map. On it, I have an apartment building for you to go to. Please buzz every resident and ask them if they saw a little bird, and to open their windows and let her in, if they did.”

  Melisa’s eyes brightened with hope as Larry passed out the maps. Rob could do nothing as the crowd gathered around, and Melisa was busy explaining how to get a bird to step up and offering a sunflower seed or a treat.

  He took a map and walked away. There was no two bones about it. He had to find Cassie. He just had to if he wanted another chance with Melisa.

  “Case, what would you risk to find the girl you love?” He unlatched the cage.

  Rob pictured himself the hero for a change. Casey would fly into the treetops, calling for his girlfriend. She’d be hanging onto a branch, petrified because she didn’t know how to fly down. The wind would gust and threaten to blow the little bird away.

  But Casey would land next to Cassie and encourage her. Meanwhile, he’d call Melisa on her cell phone and tell her he’d spotted Cassie. Melisa would rush to his side and hold her hands in a praying position, beseeching for Cassie to fly down.

  Larry would commandeer a city firetruck. He’d roar into position underneath the tall tree. Melisa would call Larry and plead with him to be careful. That the tree was too high, and Larry would brag about how he wasn’t afraid.

  He’d raise the ladder higher and higher and higher, then climb up it, limping with each step because of his bum knee. Just as Larry reached the top and raised his arm toward the bird, she’d take one look at him and scream with fright. She’d flap her wings and jump off the branch. With Casey at her side, the two birds would dive down from the tall, tall tree and land on Rob’s outstretched hands.

  Melisa would run to him, overjoyed, jumping up and down. He’d have Cassie on his finger, and right when she came up to him to receive her bird, he’d lean over and kiss her, and she’d say, “Thank you, Rob. You’re my hero. You’re always my hero.”

  “Cassee, Casseee,” Casey squealed, snapping Rob from his daydream. The little bird flapped his wings as he stood on his cage door.

  “No, wait, Casey. I can’t let you risk your life. This isn’t fair to you. I’m using you because I’m in love with Melisa.” Rob blocked Casey from coming out of the cage. What was he thinking? He’d never be Melisa’s hero. More like her rogue. He’d lost to Larry D fair and square. Larry would get credit for finding the bird, and Melisa would be eternally grateful to him. Grateful enough to fall in love with the former fireman and everyday hero.

  He’d do his part though, even if it was Larry’s gig. Quietly, Rob put Casey back into his cage and walked toward his assigned apartment building. He went through the directory, calling each resident and informing them about Cassie. The ones that weren’t home or didn’t answer, he wrote a note and stuck it in their mail slot.

  1. Accept Melisa’s choice.

  2. Learn lesson of honesty and transparency.

  3. Don’t chase after someone who doesn’t want me.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Christmas Eve brought a bank of fog into the City by the Bay. Melisa stared out the window into thick mist. Cassie had to be cold and lonely out there. How was she going to find her in the fog?

  Melisa wiped her eyes and swallowed to clear her dry throat. She had stayed out as late as she could the night before, yelling herself hoarse for Cassie until the friendly neighborhood policeman escorted her to her parents’ home. He knew her father, of course.

  Melisa had let herself be tucked into her childhood bed and cried herself to sleep. But she was up early and ready to go.

  Quietly, she climbed down the bunk bed she shared with her middle sister, Jenna, who was home for the holidays. Jenna and her twin brother, Grady, were the only two Harts to leave the Bay Area. Jenna was a fashion designer in New York City, while Grady was a smoke jumper for the US Forest Service and rarely came home. His excuse was he was too busy for family gatherings. Doing what? She had no clue.

  Melisa brewed herself a pot of coffee and checked her phone for messages. Thirty-seven text messages had come in from various people claiming to have seen Cassie. There was none from Rob.

  Why had he shown up at The Love Bean with Casey? It was sweet of him to volunteer for the search, and she’d take all the help she could get, but as for her heart? She’d protect it, even though his presence had stirred her up and made her wish things could be different. She checked her voicemail, noting down each caller, their phone number and message. Her sisters and mother had promised to man, or woman, the telephone lines, while the men in her family scoured the neighborhood, going door to door with flyers. Connor was the only one who couldn’t go, as he was on duty until the evening. In fact, she hadn’t seen him since the day he punched Rob.

  Rob.

  There was no voicemail from Rob. Didn’t he care to find out how she was doing? True, she’d slammed the door on him, but if he were Larry, he would have tried again. He wouldn’t have given up so easily.

  Which meant, he wasn’t as into her as he’d led her to believe. While she was nursing a broken heart, he was out carousing at the Fight the Fire Christmas Ball.

  With who?

  Elaine?

  Or a new squeeze?

  Grrr … Dashing a hand over her eyes, she checked her email. More leads, except most of them were looking for the reward and were vague, saying they thought they saw her here or there, but failed to catch her.

  Rob hadn’t emailed her either. She could have sworn she saw him take a map.

  She didn’t have the heart to check the Parrot Forum and tell Lovebone that her Cassie was missing. Why depress him, a lonely old man? She’d get back to him after Christmas. Besides, she no longer wanted to talk about flying her bird. It had all been a big mistake.

  Melisa finished her breakfast, gathered her lists, and began making calls to check out each lead.

  This was looking to be her worst Christmas ever.

  # # #

  Christmas Eve had arrived. Rob’s heart hung heavy as he made his way into The Love Bean to continue the search for Cassie.

  Larry extended a hand. “Hey, good of you to make it. I knew you wouldn’t give up.”

  “Is Melisa up yet?” Rob grabbed a stack of maps.

  “She’s following up on leads. She’s utterly exhausted and the police brought her to her parents’ home last night. They’re not letting her out today, so it’s up to us.”

  “You got it. I’ll do whatever it takes to find Cassie.”

  “Yeah, same here.” Larry nodded. “And may the best man win.”

  “Yeah, except the best man doesn’t get the bride.” Rob couldn’t help putting in a jab.

  “Okay, let’s go. There aren’t a lot of volunteers today, it being Christmas Eve.”

  “Looks like it’s up to us t
hen. Let’s meet back here at two and compare notes.”

  “You got it.” Larry clamped his arm around Rob and punched his shoulder. It was the closest thing to a brotherly hug, one Rob never got from his own brother.

  Rob walked north as Larry went south. He worked his way through apartment after apartment as well as private homes. Today, he’d left Casey at home. After a cold, damp night, he wasn’t sure what shape Cassie would be in if they found her, and he didn’t want Casey to be traumatized if he found Cassie in a bad condition.

  Rob gulped and continued buzzing residents of a tony apartment building close to UC San Francisco Medical Center.

  The next name on the directory was E. Woo. He hesitated a second, but plowed forward.

  “Hello? Is this FedEx?” a female voice asked.

  “No, this is Dr. Rob Reed. I’m canvassing the neighborhood, looking for a lost pet bird.”

  “ER Rob? This is Elaine. Is that really you? Tell me where you work.”

  “San Francisco General, Level One Trauma Center.”

  The buzzer buzzed and the lock clicked. “Come on up. I haven’t seen you in ages.”

  “Sure, I can’t stay long.”

  Finding Cassie was more important than catching up with old flames—especially one who’d cost him his true love.

  Elaine met Rob at the elevator and greeted him with a warm hug. “I’ve been meaning to look you up and say ‘hi’ ever since I moved here, but you know how it is.”

  “Yeah, never ending busyness.” Rob handed her a flyer.

  “Wait, I don’t get it. You’re spending your precious off hours looking for a bird?” She led the way to her penthouse suite.

  “The bird belongs to Melisa Hart, Connor’s sister.”

  “Oh, Connor.” Elaine sighed loudly. “He still calls me. Come on in.”

  “He does?” Rob glanced at the stunning Chinese bone china vases at the entry, probably worth a fortune.

  “He’s trying to move on. Did you know I set him up with a date to the Fight the Fire Christmas Ball?”