Other Birds

by Sarah Addison Allen

“Birds are supposed to be messengers between heaven and earth.”

“There are birds, and then there are other birds. Maybe they don’t sing. Maybe they don’t fly. Maybe they don’t fit in. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather be an other bird than just the same old thing.”

Charlotte seemed such an unknown entity to him that his reaction to her was sometimes a curious What is this thing? and sometimes a panicked WHAT IS THIS THING! And in true bumblebee fashion, Charlotte seemed to have no idea as she buzzed along, trying to mind her own business.

Zoey had only thought about the loss of the story itself. But now she wondered if finding out the truth behind some stories would constitute an even greater loss, because it meant losing something you were happy believing.

“If the people around you don’t love you just as you are, find new people. They’re out there.”

“I’m yours and you’re mine, Macbaby. Nothing’s going to change that. But this is an earthly world, and no one gets to stay forever.”

Children, don’t hold on to old love so hard you forget to live. Old love isn’t the only love you’ll ever have. And I can tell you from this side that it never really goes away, anyway. So let go. Whatever you’re holding on to, let go.

Maybe Zoey would never know Charlotte’s whole story, but she’d bet everything she had that Mac knew, and that made Zoey happy. It was one less story that would disappear.