"Birdwatching" by Ben Blackwell
A standard weekday for Andrew: he ate breakfast, showered, dressed, kissed his wife and toddler goodbye and left for work. He was indistinguishable from any other office worker. His only exception to normality was the silver briefcase he took everywhere.
Andrew parked his car in front of the café. From the safety of his blacked-out car windows, Andrew surveyed the outside tables. It was quiet. He was disappointed until he spotted Ava step outside to wait the tables. Andrew’s other hobbies included birdwatching; this was not totally dissimilar. He had just spotted the specimen he had been waiting for. He was just missing the binoculars. Grabbing a pair of dark sunglasses, Andrew left his car to prowl his favourite target.
Ava had barely changed since Andrew had first met her four years before. Sure, she had left school last year and was in the midst of a gap year before university, but she had maintained the same youthful optimism, unadulterated kindness and adorable looks. Her sun-kissed hair flew down her red top and her skin was as soft as the down of chicks. She wore a chained necklace, an anonymous gift from Andrew at the café Christmas drinks.
Andrew sat down at the furthest table on the furthest seat: it was contained beneath a netted roof. Ava was busy serving one of the few occupied tables. With every seat in front of him and black sunglasses on, Andrew could appear to be looking at an empty table without anyone else being able to tell what his eyes were really surveying. Eventually, after a pleasant few minutes of spying at her body, Ava approached Andrew.
“The usual?” Ava asked. Today she had painted her nails red to accompany her top. “Of course.” Ava scribbled down an order for a black coffee. “Quiet today then?” Ava sighed. “Yeah. It’s still early but could’ve done with more tips. I’ve got a date tonight.” She smiled. Through the many conversations with Ava, there had never been any mention of any dates. He had asked once about it. She would only go on a date with someone she actually saw a future with. “A date?” “Yeah. He’s meeting me after I get off from work.” Blood flushed hot to his face, a headache steadily beating his mind at the same rate of his heart. He wanted to preserve Ava as an innocent, free soul. If she had not mentioned the date, his visits would have been unaltered. Andrew could not bear her to be released into reality after years of careful conservation. “That’s nice.” Andrew clipped. “I can’t wait.” Ava sung. For a moment, they both remained silent. Andrew felt as if she was flying away from him while he was grounded to the earth. “Anyways. I better get you your coffee.”
After sipping his drink, Andrew left his usual tip and continued to be frustrated at work. Throughout the entire day, Andrew could not tear his mind away from Ava. With financial worries, his wife’s constant moaning and the weight of responsibility of being a father, he had a yearning for the nostalgia of his youth. His happiest times had been his school years before the complications of life. Ava was still a naïve child when she had begun work at his favourite café. It was the highlight of his weekend until she finished school. Her shifts moved to the weekday. Andrew shifted his visits to the weekdays. He did not want her to be preyed upon by others in the real world of trauma. Ava was an escape for Andrew to stare at and fantasise over.
Andrew crept up on the café on his way back home in his car. On the pavement, a boy carried flowers. Andrew accelerated, overtook and parked between the boy and café. Once he was close enough, Andrew slid down the window, sunglasses still on. “Are you meeting Ava?” He asked. “Yeah.” The date was nothing special. He was skinny with a mild case of acne, clean-shaven and a friendly grin. Andrew stepped out of his car, taking his briefcase with him. “I’m Ava’s uncle.” He lied. “Do you mind if I have a quick word with you?”. Andrew gestured towards a silent alleyway behind the date. Evidently, he had not met any of Ava’s wider family as he blushed immediately, eager to impress. “Yes. Of course.” Flowers and briefcase in hand, the two walked down the lane.
It was only when Andrew stopped did the date speak. “What do you want me to do?” He asked. “Turn around.” Andrew ordered. “Eh?” “Turn around.” Andrew repeated. “I want you to focus on what I have to say.” “Right.” The date’s eyes darted around the empty alleyway. It was still broad daylight. “Sure.” The back of his head greeted Andrew. “I understand you are planning on taking Ava on a date tonight.” Andrew removed his sunglasses. “Yes. I can’t wait.” “I don’t want her to change.” “We’ve been talking for weeks. I really like her.” The date glanced his head back and attempted to see into who he believed were Ava’s uncle’s eyes. Andrew flickered his eyes up from where his hand was strangling the handle of his briefcase to the date’s face. “Turn back around. Remember, I want you to listen.” The date looked back. “As I was saying, I don’t want her to change when you hurt her.” He muttered. He gripped the metal briefcase by its cold sides and aimed it at the back of the date’s head. “So, you won’t have the opportunity to.” He brought it down with a repulsive crunch. The date collapsed. He screamed. He turned on his back to face Andrew. Andrew knelt on his chest and, with the smaller face of the briefcase aimed it at the date’s head, brought it down repeatedly with as much force as he could. Blood squelched from his nose as a crack confirmed it broken. He wriggled with desperation and tried to shield his face with his hands. Red had splattered the flowers as well as the briefcase. “Don’t even talk to her again.” He growled. Andrew left the date, returned to his car and put his sunglasses back on. From the safety of his blacked-out car windows, Andrew surveyed the outside tables. Ava was still working, her face beautiful in the sunlight. Her wings had not been clipped but she had been contained. Andrew drove away, blending in with the cars on the road, eager to see her again tomorrow.
Written by Ben Blackwell
I am currently studying A-levels in Bath. I’ve always enjoyed creative writing and after winning short story competitions such as the Mid-Somerset Festival, the Threshold Prize and being published in my school anthologies, I am looking to apply for a university course in English Literature and Creative Writing. When I’m not writing, I enjoy playing rugby and spending time with my friends.