She was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen. Relaxed in his morning position, Max relished in the view bestowed upon him. The first light of the day had announced itself through a small gap in the curtains, allowing for a soft haze of glistering sunshine to caress her profile. Watching her as he did every morning embark on her daily routine, Max struggled to remember a time when Bella hadn’t been present in his life. From the time they met, they were inseparable. Instant soul mates, you might say. There was an inherent intimacy in their relationship, something jagged and delicate rooted deep in their connection with one another. Theirs was a relationship destined to stand the test of time, not like the other relationships Max had been privy to. There were no mind games played: there was simply no need for that kind of silliness. They had the same interests, loved the same food, and they both hated the taste of chocolate
To Max, Bella was the perfect life partner: bright, petite and very attentive to his needs. Being kissed by her felt like being pelted by the clouds. They often fed each other meals, which seemed both peculiar and delightful to the people around them. However, for them, it was merely an expression of their admiration and commitment to one another. Their abode, though small, was perfect for the two of them. Bella wasn’t one for making a fuss about where she lived, which suited Max perfectly. Besides, their situation prevented them from moving. And yet, despite this, Max sometimes felt inadequate in her presence. She was too beautiful, too perfect, too refined. He often braced himself for when Bella would find their life was too restrictive, and she’d demand her freedom.
Everyone around them named them love birds. Mrs O’Connor from next door was always commenting on their relationship.
‘How’re the lovebirds today, then? Oh, Jane, would you take a look at Bella today? She’s so beautiful and doesn’t she just dote on Max?’
‘They’re both grand, Mrs O’Connor,’ said Jane, ‘ah she does indeed, sure that’s their way, so it is.’
Max was used to hearing people comment like that. He liked it. He enjoyed the fact their relationship was unique in so many respects. Some may even say he was a little smug about it. Jane and Mrs O’Connor were always gossiping about the state of other people’s relationships.
‘Did you hear she up and left him the other day?’
‘Ah, she never did. Surely not?’
‘It’s true, so it is. Hand on heart. I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth. Said she was sick to death of him with carrying on, coming home full of the beer every night so she moved back in with her Mammy.’
‘Well, I never. It just goes to show you, doesn’t it? Even the good ones never last.’
‘Right you are Jane… Here, just wait to I tell ya what Claire Ramsey from the bowling club put in her fella’s food the other night…’
Max marvelled at these conversations. Even horses didn’t seem to find the level of happiness he’d found with Bella. Nestling his face into her neck, Max delighted in the warmth of her body. Someone banged on the front door, causing Bella to flinch, and pulled away from him.
‘Damn it,’ said Max. It seemed like there was always someone dropping in lately.
‘It’s alright,’ said Bella. ‘I’m feeling a bit off at the moment, anyway.’
Crossing his room in four infinitesimal movements, Max pressed his face at the window bars.
‘It looks like Jane has a delivery,’ said Max.
‘At least it’s not that busy-body Mrs O’Connor again.’
‘I thought you liked Mrs O’Connor?’
‘She’s ok, I guess, but she gets on my nerves. The non-stop noise coming out of her mouth. Besides, I don’t appreciate being stared at all the time. You know the way she does?’
‘Yeah, right, I guess so. I hadn’t really thought about it, but now that you mention it, the old woman gets a bit much sometimes, for sure.’
‘You know, Max, you don’t always have to agree with me. You are ALLOWED to have your own opinions!’
‘Geez Bella, of course I know I can have my own opinions. Where’s this coming from?’
‘I don’t know, Max, I can’t explain it. I just have a terrible feeling inside of me, like something bad is about to happen.’
An unfamiliar heat spread from his neck and throughout his face. Max had never seen Bella in this state before, and it unnerved him. He just wanted to make her happy. He busied himself with their food for the day. She was probably just hungry. He’d feed her their favourite meal, and everything will go back to normal.
Yes, that must be it, he reassured himself. Food will make it better.
Max was wrong. No amount of fussing or feeding could lift Bella’s mood. In fact, it only seemed to worsen the situation. Over the next few days, Bella became more withdrawn, and with it, Max’s concerns and feelings of inadequacy deepened. He wasn’t the only person to notice the change in Bella’s mood. Mrs O’Connor and Jane were continually discussing the apparent change in their relationship.
‘How’re the two lovebirds, then?’
‘Oh, Mrs O’Connor, did I not mention it already? It’s the funniest thing, so it is. They’ve come over all strange. Bella’s gone quite queer. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she’s depressed. I’d swear it to God, so I would.’
‘Ah, come now, what’s a wee thing like that got to be depressed about?’
‘It beats me, Mrs O’Connor, but she won’t eat a thing, and as for Max, his health has taken a turn for the worse since Bella stopped eating.’
Max felt waves of nausea spread through his body. The worst had happened. Max and Bella had become like the other couples Jane and Mrs O’Connor constantly gossiped about.
#
The next morning, when Jane checked in on her lovebirds, she found Max lying dead in his cage, with Bella perched on the other side. The birdseed remained untouched.
‘Oh Bella, is it any wonder you’ve been so depressed? Must be true what they say about you lady lovebirds after all. It’s a shame all of us females don’t have that gift. Just wait until Mrs O’Connor hears the news!’