Pigeon Man

Chapter 3

I continue to walk until I pass by a church. There are pigeons sitting on in the roof, near the bell. "Ugh, I hate those things." The strange man from the park is somehow sitting on a bench before me. Once I notice him, he gets up and makes his way towards me.

 I rock back and forth anxiously. He stops a few feet away from me before he turns to the pigeons and smiles. "Gabriel, can I borrow you for a moment?" A bird flies down abruptly. I begin wailing my arms and ducking behind the man for cover. This time, he laughs whole heartedly. From his belly.

 He looks down towards the pigeon standing before him. "Gabriel, I'm going to need you to expedite that favor I asked you for earlier. Could you have it ready by tonight?" The bird walks back and forth as if it is thinking intently before taking off.

The man watches the bird fly away with utter joy. "Very good then. It is done." He continues to walk. I study the bird a bit longer. Wondering what just happened before following after him. 

 "So you like to name the pigeons?" The man chuckles once again. "You are quite the comedian, aren't you?" I scratch my head. "You know, they say the funniest people are often the saddest."

 "I wouldn't call myself a comedian. It's more like I have no filter."

 "And that is one of your greatest strengths." He reassures me while looking into my eyes with vigor. All of a sudden he seems rather serious. I back away with confusion.

The man begins to march forward intently. "Come, we have much to do Diana."

 "I, um. Listen. It was nice chatting with you and all. I still don't know how you even knew certain things about me. But the talking to birds thing is a bit much." 

 He pauses just a few feet before me before placing his hands behind his back and tilting his chin down. "Is it the suit? I knew I shouldn't have worn the suit."

 "No. It's not the suit." I stutter.

 "Just teasing you. Laughter is good. I'm sure your familiar with comedic relief."

 I struggle to respond. "Go home and get some rest Diana." I feel relieved as I begin to walk the other direction. But before I could get far, the man continues. "Oh, and do not be alarmed by your dreams tonight. You will receive important details. All will fall into place by then." 

 Exhausted, I do not have the energy to ask for clarification. I continue to walk back home. I make it to the stair entrance of my home after 45 minutes of walking. The house is dark. I sigh before going inside. Food is left on the table. The light on the hallway is still on. I do my best to tip toe so not to wake my parents. 

As I go up the stairs, I hit a sensitive spot in the floor plan and the stair makes a loud creek. My shoulders bounce up towards my ear in agony. "Diana? Is that you?"

I do my best to hurry to my room, but it's too late. My mother has opened her room door and seems anxious. 

 "Yeah mom, I got caught up in the rain and decided to wait it out." " It rained? When, this evening? And why didn't you call? I was worried sick. You know it's dangerous out there."

 I feel myself losing patience. "I'm sorry." I attempt to remedy the situation. "I'll call next time." 

 She doesn't seem satisfied. "Did you eat? I left dinner on the table." "I'm not really hungry mom." "Why? Did someone call you fat or something?" In this moment, I regret opening up about my eating disorder. I take a noticeable sigh before walking towards my bedroom. "Goodnight mom."

"Goodnight hun. I'll talk to you tomorrow? Love you!"

 "Love you too."