Serendipity

[Birdee]

As the hustle and bustle began to pick up, their waitress returned with a warm smile, and a question. "Will either of you be needing anything else today?" Her eyes bounced between Lou and Birdee, before she stealthily laid down the tiny piece of paper at the edge of the table, smack dab in the middle of it. "No, I'm cool." Birdee looked to Louvel who hadn't touched much of anything since his choking fiasco. Birdee figured between that and the increased volume of customers that it was about time to hit it.

"Got it!" Birdee grabbed the off shoot colored green slip and looked at the bill, then at the waitress who had taken off to meet a new round of customers at a table a few feet away. She hadn't expected them to 'comp' Lou's plate of food, but they did. Probably too worried about him coming back to sue them. Claim it was a hair, or an allergy thing, or anything. People said and did the stupidest **** nowadays to get free ****.

She stood, forgetting about the rest of her own food, and grabbed a two folded waterproof wallet from the back pocket of her pants and put down a five for a tip. There was no need for Birdee to talk anymore about Heath, she had gotten the impression at least twice that Lou and him weren't close for whatever reason. And while it was wicked cool she had two 'brothers,' she had only been expecting one and that one was right here in front of her. "I've got this apartment on the other side of town. Not far from where I work, but I plan on staying around town for a while. I can give you the deets and if you're ever bored or in the area, you could come by." She suggested, sure Lou had other things to do, as Birdee had wasted a good portion of his time already today with the coat incident and now food. "Got it. What's your number? Put it in here." Birdee yanked out her cell from the coat pocket, opened the contacts portion on her phone and then slid it on the table to him. "Be right back." She said with a quick turn, off to pay the bill for their breakfast.

[Louvel von der Marck]

Louvel made use of the cell phone and entered his information as suggested. It was odd to think he started out the day with the intentions of picking up what he had ordered from a store and now he was giving his number to a woman who he crossed paths with, played tug of war over a coat and in the end of a few hours of shared company just so happened to turn out to be his sister he never knew he had. A tap of his thumb had the contact info saved and stored. Once he stood and stepped away from the booth he paused only briefly to reach over and gather what they had on the seats.

“Make sure you come back soon.” A waitress wearing a cloud of something comparable to recently burned Marlboro’s and double mint gum delivered the invite to return. “Remember our special on Thursday mornings are two for one turnovers. If you leave and come back you can make use of the offer and get up to a dozen before they say anything.” She winked a heavy lashed and creased lid while stepping in close. “Are you the one she has been feeding all those turnovers to?”
“Serious? I have been missing out.” He curled up what he had in his possession into the crook of one of his arms while the other slid into the sleeve of his jacket. “I just met her.” Now that both arms were successfully inside the back of his jacket popped over his shoulders and settled into place. “It seems our parents got along well enough that she is here to tell me about it.”

The waitress sported a set of gum chewing jaws that froze at the revelation. Instead of waiting around for the woman to put it together he nodded to signal he was taking his leave. He made his way to the door that effectively held the cold weather behind the insulated glass and the steel frame that kept it efficiently serving its desired purpose. Instead of stepping outside he waited to be the gentleman he was raised to be.

He grew up believing he was an only child until Heath was born and yet there was the proof that no matter how much time passes things change. Birdee stood at the counter and he viewed the back of her until she moved her head in just that subtle way that he was able to see her profile. The expression as she interacted with the cashier reminded him of Otto on the rare and best of moments when he was known to smile over something so basic as being human. Lou’s fingers curled firmly over the phone in hand as he concluded he saw the same smile on his father, their father, only once. The man was boarding the flight for Europe. The very trip that would be the defining point of his parents separating their lives on a routine and permanent basis. Was she the reason? The daughter he didn’t give the respect of acknowledging unlike Heath? Typical Otto von der Marck. Leave them guessing, give no easy answers.

As soon as Birdee appeared to be ready to leave and heading his way he opened the door and held it for her to pass through. Which of them would call the other first? He would. Well, he would if he had her number. That prompted him to juggle the items he held and retrieve his cell phone from his pocket. He offered it to her as soon as she was within reach of it.

“I just realized it is going to be hard to call you if I don’t have your number too.” The hand holding the door open nudged it a little wider. “I can drop you off at your place and that way I will know where it is.”

[Birdee]

"It was nice you guys comped the meal, but you didn't have to." Birdee knew it wasn't the restaurants fault-or Louvel's. If it was anyone's, it would have been hers. There was a lot of information that Lou wasn't ready for, or prepared to hear, not that she had known who he was until things started to make sense and were put together. Funny world.

Birdee slapped some cash on the counter while the woman finished punching in the bill manually, eyes moving over to Lou. It was almost too good to be true and part of Birdee wanted to make sure that it was true. That it just wasn't one of those fucked up glimpses of the future that would metamorphosis into something else that she wouldn't be able to figure out until days later, or right before the **** went down. When her green hues landed on him, she smiled and shifted her attention back to the woman who was trying to offer Birdee her change. "Put it in the penny jar."

It was only a buck and some change due back to her, and while every dollar counted in Birdee's life, somehow she felt a little richer today. Life felt a little fuller; complete even. Birdee didn't mind struggling through life; like a leaf in a wind storm. She felt experience made a person wise; even if they weren't book smart. There was no reason for someone to be book smart, unless they were trying to answer to the man day in and day out and that sort of life was for the birds, in Birdee's eyes.

She turned towards the door as Lou opened it and made a suggestion, much like she had. Birdee smiled and punched in her name, then her own cell number, which would be one that was tied to California. She hadn't had time to get a local number, only because she wasn't going to do that if Otto wasn't anywhere to be found and Birdee had to make her way back to California. "That would be awesome! Save me time." Birdee agreed as she saved the number and offered his phone back to Lou. She had a big heap of laundry waiting for her back at the apartment. Not that she was looking forward to it, but it had to be done. She was sure FG would appreciate the effort put out to not smell like a week old hot dog or fries. "You're going to want to head back towards the mall and keep going south." Birdee indicated as she got in the truck once it was unlocked.

[Louvel von der Marck]

Once Birdee cleared the frame of open space offered Louvel stepped through following behind her and let the door close behind them. His phone switched hands and sank the device deep into the pocket that he was known to carry it in for ease in gaining quick access. The chill of the cold air found his cheeks and swept back the chaotic golden hair that otherwise framed his face. He made fast work of getting into the relic of a truck and opened up the passenger side by leaning over and pulling on the metal that went up when his fingers pinched around it. It was uneventful and he was pleased. More often than not he was left holding the part itself that would require him to stay sprawled across the bench seat screwing it back on the small stub of exposed metal left behind when uncovered.

“You need to pick up anything else on the way?” He asked while the rumble of the cold engine shook the frame of the vehicle around them. A firm press on the gas pedal gave the beast a little something to get it coughing into cooperating. “I can stop on the way and save you a trip later.”

Once the small amount of space needed in front of the hood was gained by backing up he shifted it into moving forward while he gave the steering wheel enough reason to pull out into the street. Now that they were on the way he settled back and found that spot that he spent several years creating with his body behind the wheel. Mossy orbs still full of question found their way to glance at the passenger as the traffic came to a stand still in favor of the opposite lanes getting a turn to advance on their routes.

The first thing that came to mind was Otto von der Marck. Louvel couldn’t help but think of how much more of a dick the guy had grown to be in the matter of a few hours that he had spent in the diner getting to know his daughter. Birdee deserved a hell of a lot better than what all her efforts her left her with. Which, so far, was in the front seat of a car in the boondocks of Canada and no closure possible with the loser responsible for leading her there. Otto was still batting a steady thousand for the leagues of worthlessness.

“How far south?” The mall was in the rear view mirror when he asked.

[Birdee]

The second she was inside, Birdee buckled up and glanced around. This was the heart of the district that she liked and if she could afford to pay a little more rent, Birdee would move here in a heartbeat. Even over the top of the diner, if she could, or something similar. She didn't mind hearing the hustle and bustle of life, or people's conversations, even. Birdee learned at a young age to be a part of someone's life, without actually being part of it. No point in taking chances by getting too close, because people liked contact. Hand shakes, hugs, things like that. And one wrong handshake or hug would send her in a direction she tried to avoid.

"Huh? Oh, uhhhhmmm, let me see." Birdee thought about the things she needed, or rather wanted, then what she needed before she clicked her right fingers together to make them snap. "There's a gas station a few blocks from my apartment. I need a gallon of milk for sure. Do you mind?" Otherwise, she would have to risk a week old milk, or try her cereal with water. Neither sounded appealing, but she had had worse.

Birdee shifted her weight on the seat, then pointed two blocks down. "Right there. On the right hand side." She pointed to a red and brown building with white wording, then scooted closer to the door in eager anticipation. "Then, you have to go about five blocks and my apartment is on left hand side. Next to a really old looking bowling alley and cigarette shop. If you know someone who smokes, they've got the best deals in town. Swear it. " She looked at Lou and gave him a nod and three finger scouts honor salute, indicating it was as true as she knew it to be.

[Louvel von der Marck]

“Ever had farm fresh milk?”

The sound of paper crinkling then tearing was hosted by the work of his left hand and a brief pinch and pull using his teeth. Sunflower seeds were generally not any more irresistible than any other seeds or nuts that he snacked on but these just so happened to be whipped up and roasted in a good friends private kitchen. The recent business school grad and budding entrepreneur had worked out the secret recipe for the perfect seasoning combination and with it created sunflower seeds that took the taste buds on an adventure as soon as they hit the tip of the consumers tongue. Once the top of the package was forced to open a few stray seeds jumped out with the movement of his hand and landed in his lap.

“A fan of sunflower seeds? If so try these out.” He offered up the thin recycled paper pouch stamped with all the marks of being an earth friendly product. “You will be hooked. Trust me.”

The pouch being in good hands left him the freedom to fish out the seeds hiding out beneath his legs. A little extra pressure courtesy of his foot to the gas pedal while shifting back in place on the seat sent the truck faster than expected into the intersection just before the building she had pointed out. Honking of disapproval from a nearby car had his fingers with the reclaimed seeds giving a short wave before they popped in his mouth.

“So, what you think?” He glanced over to the passenger side of the truck and found the coast clear for him to steer the truck into the first parking space available in front of the store. “Sure have a kick to them but are amazing.” With the truck in park there was nothing more to do than shut it off and give it another brief rest. He opened the door and hopped out. A creaking went along with the movement of the door sinking back into its solid frame. “I need to grab something since we are here.” His eyes followed her as he stepped around the front of the truck and reached out to get the door for her.

[Birdee]

"Nope, but the city sort of doesn't allow us to keep pet cows." Birdee said with a cackling laugh before shrugging. "Have you?" He asked for a reason. What did Louvel do again? Did he have cows? Birdee looked over to the offered sunflower seeds and then shrugged her shoulders. She didn't like, or dislike them. They were sometimes annoying, only because she had to work hard at getting a tiny seed out of the shell, but they always tasted good.

"Sure, sounds good." Birdee was willing to try anything once. Just about. When it came to food, that sentiment was true. She had tried rabbit once, deer, bear and even tofu. Birdee had known just about any and every type of eater at one point or another in her life. Bear she could have done without, the other two meats weren't bad and tofu was a little squishy but not all that bad.

When Birdee saw it was just some seeds and not the shell and seeds, she sighed, relieved. Where was she going to put the shells at, anyways? She popped a good handful into her mouth and felt immediate regret. They weren't too spicy, but the flavor (to her) was a little strong. Birdee chewed them down before she coughed then swallowed some more, working them way down into her belly. "Not bad, if you don't eat a handful at a time." Birdee said as she banged on her chest with a closed fist. He moved around to get the door for her and Birdee laughed. When had anyone but him ever done that? Not that Birdee couldn't handle a door to a car, or truck, in this case, but it was still a little funny. Different. Not funny, just different. Lou was like a totally different world and beat to his own drum. Much like her. Birdee could dig it. "Cool." She nodded her head, before moving inside the gas station to grab a gallon of milk and some bread. Would do her just fine until payday. Which was two days away. Thank fricksticks.

[Louvel von der Marck]

Louvel eyed the glass door on the cooler in front of him. It was a common scene in any convenience store these days but it stood out more when he was needing what was behind the recent Windex washed glass. He could smell the cleaner while he came to the conclusion that water wasn’t just water anymore. There was spring water which was claimed to come initially from some underground source. Then there was the purified or ‘distilled’ water. That obviously was put through a process of killing whatever could be harmful via methods of exposing it to deionization, reverse osmosis or a little chemists voodoo. Mineral water had something to live up to. Namely the claim that it was at the very least 250 parts per million total dissolved solids. If it wasn’t then they couldn’t wrap the paper label around the recyclable plastic and sell it to you individually or in bulk.

He leaned over a bit and looked at the next cooler. With one step he found the selection for water widened considerably. Ignoring the names of all various brands he focused once again on the types to choose from. Sparkling water promised that the same amount of carbon dioxide prior to all the clean-up it went through was replaced for the consumers enhanced enjoyment. Louvel wasn’t exactly missing out on that either way. Maybe it was a good thing but he wasn’t exactly being swooned by the idea of it all when there was several colorful bottles of what he much rather use to wash down the small particles of seeds that were currently wedged in the shallow pits of his molars as well as pinched between some of his front teeth. His tongue tried to work at the pieces that seemed to be most likely to come loose from their hiding spots if he initiated the effort.

“Find what you are looking for?” A clerk on the move found her way through the aisle he stood in which inspired him to move back a step and give her room to move on.
“I think I got it.” He smiled enough appear as if he did even though he still was faced with a dilemma. Which brand should he choose? Water was not simply water anymore. “Thanks!” Once the coast was clear he decided to see if she could make the decision any easier. “If you were going to drink water which would sound most likely to offer you the most flavor for your money. I will give you the choices as I see them.” He pulled open the door to the cooler and was greeted with a chilling cloud of moist air which rolled over him. “We got something that hints on the tropical side calling itself Fiji. Then we got something that says Eternal. Could be a good thing I guess if it lives up to it’s name. Then we have a few interesting contenders sizing up rather nicely under the names of 22, Voss and wait” He suddenly showed an interest and stepped in closer to reach into the cooler that was in front of him. “Just a minute! Can it be? Oh yes it is. All others are just water compared to this.” He pulled out the glass bottle that was dressed in the labeling he had not seen in awhile. Too long in fact. “This is the water that comes from the lands down under. Fitting to be next to wine on a formal table.” His voice carried the tone of a worthy pitchman on a commercial being broadcast. “New Zealand’s pride and joy…” He raised it high in both hands catching the attention of a woman heading for the energy drinks. “Antipodes!” The door to the cooler being pulled open for a Monster fix quickly snapped shut.

“I will have what you are having!” She winked as she produced one of the glass bottles from the interior of the cooler and clinked it to the surface of what was in hands. “Cheers."

[Birdee]

Birdee had just grabbed the loaf of bread when she heard her brother going on about...water. Water, was just water to her, unless it came from the tap. Birdee wasn't a water snob, like apparently her brother was, but she didn't like it coming from the tap. Had to be cold. Frigid even. Birdee laughed at her brother and the other woman who were going on about some sort of fancy water. "Bet you could probably feed half a third world country with however much that bad boy will cost you." Birdee said as she moved past Louvel and the woman to go pay for her bread and milk.

Birdee slapped a colorful five on the counter and waited for the change, snorting in amusement at her brother and his new found friend. He had that sort of personality, attracting people to trust him enough to share a minute or two of their day with him. Birdee never gave off that impression-in fact she was the polar opposite. She tried to avoid people at most cost; the exception being her family and now Louvel who was part of that family circle of hers. "I don't need a bag for the bread. Got two perfectly capable hands for each of those things." Birdee made a move to grab the bread to further express her dislike of getting a bag for a single item, then grabbed her gallon of milk. "I'll be outside." Birdee motioned to the door with her head, letting Louvel do his thing with the woman. She was cute enough, maybe with his charm and personality he could land a date if he wanted. If he did, she wasn't about to get in her brother's way.

[Louvel von der Marck]

Louvel handed a business card to the stranger who shared his taste for good water. The one produced was identified by his fast glance as to the farm which was still in the works of being adapted to house his future plans for expansion. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a couple more that would support the offer of the first and hopefully catch some interest. He stepped backwards and lifted the bottle up in the air as if there was a clue to be had in the effort he put forth.

“If you ever need some help discovering the great outdoors or the world beyond.” As soon as he turned on his well worn heels of his boots he heard Birdee announce she was heading out of the store. “Email on the bottom works as well as the number.” He cracked the seal by giving the top of the bottle a firm twist.
“How about your wallet?” The cashier chimed in while making the gum rotating between her gums release a few snaps and pops. “That gonna work to pay for the water you got in hand, buddy?”
“Oh, sorry.” He chuckled and pulled out a few wadded up bills that clearly upon first inspection were more than the water in his possession would cost. He patted them flat then stepped away from the checkout counter leaving the money in view. “That should cover hers too.”

Life was usually that good for the green eyed sorcerer. Louvel von der Marck often wondered why the rest of the world couldn’t be as genuinely happy to be seeing another day or night. To be able to draw in some fresh cool air and just connect with the world around them randomly without any set expectation. Mara’s spirit was stronger than ever and was with him in constant reminder. Her energy found him as he stood outside the convenience store and allowed the water to wash away the dryness plaguing his inner mouth. He watched Birdee as he capped the bottle to save the unconsumed fluid contained in his hand. His left hand pulled out the ring of keys that would be needed once he reached the passenger's side of the time beaten truck. He unlocked it and pulled the door open for her.

“Fair warning. I can be a bit of a dork.” So he was selling the truth short and he chuckled over it as he started to close the door. Before it sank into the metal framework of the vehicle he managed to come clean. “Okay, a lot.”

His blonde topped head nodded in agreement with his own words as he walked around the front of the truck. The same key worked for the lock keeping him from otherwise opening the driver's door and hopping in. Once he climbed into place and shut the door he settled the bottle between his denim covered thighs. Finger flipping the numerous keys had the one fitted to the ignition singled out with ease.

“Now to check out your palace, Princess.” The sounds of the still warm engine shaking and coughing while it woke from its all too brief rest echoed through the interior of the cab where they were sitting. He smiled at her as he looked over his shoulder and backed up the truck. "This adventure continues."