Mr. Tanner picked Portia over her older sister yet again. Yet again, Phoebe was begrudging of the fact that she was ‘the better singer’, yet was being overlooked by her teacher.
As soon as choir let out, Portia and Phoebe went their separate ways. Phoebe went home. Portia took the crosstown bus to the Community College. It was where her boyfriend Marcus attendrf school.
Portia drew the pull cord and the bus stopped right in the middle of the small campus. A handful of buildings stood around a small open square. Portia cut across the square, headed to the bookstore. She strolled through the aisles, looking at all the textbooks. She grabbed one and took it to the cashier.
“That’ll be $53.10.”
Portia counted through her money. She had just enough to pay for the book with a little left over for herself.
“I don’t need a plastic bag,” she said to the clerk.
Portia cut across the square again. This time, she was headed for the cafeteria. It was more like a break room than a cafeteria. The only food choices were frozen dinners and snacks. Portia bought a bag of corn chips and a soda. That was all of the money she had left.
Portia found an empty table. She opened her soda bottle and took a drink. Then, she flipped through her textbook, looking for something to read.
“State birds,” she said to herself, “Pennsylvania – Ruffed Grouse. How boring.”
She flipped through the rest of the state birds, looking for something better to read. With no state birds catching her fancy, she scanned the rest of the book until she found a small green and red bird.
“The ruby-throated hummingbird. Now that’s a bird I can get behind.”
She pressed the book against the table, breaking it in a little. She placed her hands over the open book and rested her chin on her knuckles.
While prevalent in Florida and the Mediterranean islands during winter, the ruby-throated hummingbird can be found as far north as Maine during the summer months. Their range depends mostly on their summer habitat. Once they find a general habitat area, they often return to it year after year. More often than not, they have several nests throughout the year.
They most find comfort in lush floral gardens, but can nest at or near hummingbird feeders. They are also quite adaptable to the human presence, homing in both rural and urban areas.
“What’s this?” interrupted a voice.
It was Marcus. His fingers were carefully manicured and his perfume smelled like patchouli. His dress slacks and button-down oxford made him look more like an Ivy Leaguer than just another kid from the ghetto. He was tall and lean, built more like an outside linebacker than the basketball player he actually was.
“It’s ‘Audobon’s Book of Birds’.”
“I mean, ‘Why are you reading a bird book?’”
“Just thinking about next fall.”
“Isn’t it a little early to worry about that?” chuckled Marcus.
“I don’t think so at all.”
“Autumn will come soon enough. Enjoy high school while you still can.”
“There’s just so much to do. I have to fill out Financial Aid Forms, apply for scholarships, maybe loans. I still have to pick a school.”
“I wish I had that kind of will power. I’m not even excited about this biology assignment.”
“What is it?”
“Something about…”
He dug into his backpack and produced his Biology book. It was twice as big as her bird book. He cracked it open to the two-page handout he used as a bookmark.
“Lymphatic System and immunity.”
Portia read through the syllabus.
“It’s only a few pages of reading and four essay questions. That shouldn’t be too hard.”
“Studying is easy for you.”
“Studying isn’t any easier for me than it is you.”
“I just can’t do it.”
“I’ll look it over and take some notes.”
“That would be great help.”
“No problem.”
“I gotta get to my English class. I’ll see you afterwards?”
Portia nodded.
“Thanks again.”
Marcus left for class and Portia used the time to read his Biology book. The reading only took an hour. Portia began taking notes and it quickly turned into sentences and paragraphs. Portia finished Marcus’s homework and neatly tucked her essay into place with the handout. It would be a nice surprise for Marcus, she thought.
She carefully placed the textbook on the table across from where she sat, squaring it with the opposite side of the table. When Marcus returned, Portia was chin-down in her ‘Book of Birds’.
“Hey,” she said glowingly.
“Hey what?”
“I finished your Biology homework.”
He flipped through the essay pages.
“Oh man, this is just what I needed.”
A girl came approached and said, “Hi,” to Marcus.
“Oh, hey Janie. What’s going on?”
“You said you’d give me a ride home tonight.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot.”
“So?”
“Of course. A promise is a promise.”
Marcus glanced over at Portia.
“That’s alright, isn’t it?”
Portia nodded.
“Janie, this is my friend Portia.”
“Good to meet you,” said Janie as she stuck out her hand. Portia shook it gently.
Marcus tucked his Biology book into his backpack and started walking away. Portia hurriedly packed her new book into her pack. It did not quite fit. Portia drew the zipper as far as she could, cinching the loose book into place.
She ran along after Marcus and Janie, catching up to them just as they got to the edge of the parking lot. Even as she walked on the opposite side from Janie, she was the third wheel.
"Why didn't I see you at that house party at U. Pitt?" asked Janie.
"I was out with some of the guys playing night basketball at the Community College."
"You should've told mje. I would've come and cheered you on."
"It was really no big deal."
"Maybe next time," said Janie.
"Yeah, maybe next time."
"One of my girlfriends is hosting a small get together at her apartment this Friday. You should come."
Marcus glanced over to Portia.
"I'll probably be busy. It's Valentine's."
Janie smiled, "You're so lucky, Portia. I bet he spoils you all the time."
Portia nodded.
They got into Marcus' car. Portia climbed into the back seat. he drove her home first. Portia’s bird book slipped out as she squeezed through the gap between the bucket seat and the seat belt.
"Ooh, I'm sorry," said Janie.
"I got it," said Portia. She grabbed the backpack with one hand as she leaned over to grab the bird book. She carefully pressed Janie's door closed as she adjusted the backpack on her shoulder.
Portia nodded.
"Marcus," scolded Janie, "get out and escort your girlfriend to the door."
Porta took comfort in that. Janie was like a blood sister, looking straight through Marcus' words and his intentions. Marcus walked around his car and through the snow drift. He grabbed Portia's bird book and walked her to the door.
"Good night, Portia."
"Good night, Marcus."
Marcus opened the front door and returned the bird book to Portia. he grabbed her by the hand and sqeezed softly. She rolled her eyes and gave him a sideways glance. He leaned over and pressed a kiss into her cheek.
Portia let out a heavy sigh. Marcus returned to his car and drove Janie home. Portia silently crossed through the family room as she went up to her room. She plopped her backpack beside her bed and took the "Audobon Birds of America" to her little nook at the foot of her bed.
She flipped on the reading light and began reading about the ruby-throated hummingbird again. She continued reading until Phoebe came up for bedtime. Portia bookmarked her place and rearranged her books in her backpack, making plenty of room for her bird book.
She combed out her hair and changed into a night shirt. Afterwards, she went to bed, ready for whatever drama miht come next.
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