"Birds of Michigan" part 3

Hunter, still mesmerized by Melinda, didn't respond.
  "Um...usually this is where you would introduce yourself as well, right? " Melinda giggled.
  "Oh, right, sorry. Yeah my name... it's... Hunter Reed" Hunter said, bracing himself for the reaction to his name, praying it didn"t ring a bell.
  "Well, Hunter, it's nice to meet you. I'm new to town. I like it here, well, so far. Y'know, you are lucky here in Michigan having such beautiful birds, especially our little invalid here. This Mourning Dove is such a bittersweet bird what with her beautiful feathering and coo and all. Her coo is so sad and mournful. She isn't cooing now, the poor thing, she is alone. Hmm...that means her mate must've died. It breaks my heart to see these beauties alone cause then y'know they've lost their partner.   b
It must be hard to lose your life partner... can you imagine?"Melinda rattled off.
  "Uh... I..."  
  "Oh my gosh! I am so sorry. I started rambling again, didn't I? I swear, I can just go off sometimes. I mean, take just now for example, I barely met you! I don't even know if you like birds let alone care about their mating hab-"
  "I do" Hunter interrupted.
  "What?"
  " I like birds, I find them fascinating." Hunter said with a small creeping smile; the first real smile since the night he'd lost his wife and Daughter.

"Birds of Michigan " part 2

    A noise outside the window caught Hunter's attention, bringing him swiftly back to the moment. It sounded like a bird, a bird in pain. Hunter had always had a fascination for birds. He envied how carefree they were, How strongly they fought against the gusts of wind that came and went as mother nature saw fit. With their varied colors and sizes and freedom to fly anywhere they wanted. Moments like this, with his mind caught in childlike wonder, Hunter would forget to hide. He would smile, and with that smile, relax. Hunter made his way over to the noise and looked out the window. He saw an injured Mourning Dove lying on the frosty earth. Hunter made his way to the front room, grabbed his jacket and swiftly went out the door. As he was rounding the side of the house to the yard outside his window, he saw a beautiful woman with long, golden hair leaning over the bird. She tenderly began to lift the dove up, wrapping the delicate bird in her woven scarf. The woman, becoming aware of Hunter, looked up.
  "Oh, hello. Is this your home?"
  "Ye...yes. I live here. Um... I heard a noise and... well I saw the bird and.. can you tell...is she alive?" Hunter stammered nervously as caught sight  of her startling blue eyes and soft smile. She studied him a moment then let out a small giggle while glancing back down at the dove.
  "She is hurt badly but, yes, she's alive. What's your name, mine's Melinda Parr."

"Birds of Michigan" part 1

    To Hunter Reed, days like this made the prospect of waking up seem pointless. Today was no exception. Hunter Reed was an average man with an average build and average height. He was a handsome man with short brown hair, brown eyes, and pale skin from days spent inside. Hunter stared out the window as he lay in his bed. Outside the window, the sun was hidden behind layers of wispy gray clouds .The snow on the ground looked as heavy cream, whipped in a mixer by the blizzard of the night before. He slowly sat up and looked around the room, empty save for a small side table with an old alarm clock and a lamp.
    Hunter had a very simple life. A life not complicated by love or passion. He kept nothing, worked to achieve nothing, decided to want.... nothing. "If I have nothing and do not try to have more, I will not have anything to lose." Hunter had said to himself so many times, wanting so much to not want so much.
    Hunter stood and walked to the bathroom, turned on the spout and splashed cold water on his face. He looked into the mirror at himself, droplets of chill water running down his cheeks. He stood there, staring at  those cheeks and the water aimlessly trickling down his face. Even the water didn't want to stay. He wondered if anything would ever stay.