DINER KERFUFFLE

 

Late one afternoon, Stubbs was having a bite of sunflower seeds at the Diner. It had been a chilly day with snow still on the ground but thankfully the wind remained calm. It was the slow hour, with just him and Senor Junco, who always sat in a booth near the front. The door flung open and Stubbs groaned as a blur of brown and white came zipping up to the buffet. It was a Nutkin, one of his obnoxious cousins with an big attitude and chip on his shoulder because of his small size. Stubbs shifted to face away and kept eating. Suddenly, the blur flew up the aisle, stopping at his booth and rapidly began to ask questions, one of their most annoying habits: 

hey, that looks pretty good, yeah they do a good job in this joint with the grub although, have you been over to the pines? Real good there, too. Did you see the sun today? It was bright, wasn't it? Boy this snow is cold! And what is up with those crows, they give me the willies, how 'bout you? Hey, you gonna finish that?  

Nutkin started to reach for the seed right under Stubb's nose. 

Motherfucker growled Stubbs, in a low voice that somehow mesmerized Nutkin. Everyone is cold, their feet are wet and we spend all our waking hours trying to find enough grub to stay alive...

Nutkin came to and interrupted: yeah man, I feel ya, yeah, it sucks doesn't it? Hey, you gonna finish that?

The Junco, sensing danger, tossed down what he owed and flew out of the Diner.

Stubbs stepped out into the aisle and glared at Nutkin replying: what we don't need is your brand of bullshit and in a flash, lunged for the Nutkin's neck. Nutkin, being super quick, which is their nature, was about a half a step ahead of the attack and sprinted out of the Diner towards the shrubs in the Back 40.

Stubbs settled back into his eating pose, picked up a seed and ruminated. He was tired and cold. He didn't like to lose his temper especially in the Diner. He liked the neighborhood and the place was convenient. The door opened and Stubbs's pal Redbird flew in and settled into a booth. Stubbs lifted his chin and RB lifted his wing in response. 

Man, heard you had a beef with a Nutkin said RB. You know how they are replied Stubbs. I 'spose it's all over the neighborhood already. RB finished swallowing and said well, you know how they are. Stubbs snorted and changed the subject. How's the wife? he asked. Fabulous RB replied, she'll be by in a bit. Stubbs: I've been hearing you at dawn these days, high up. Getting close to egg time? RB grinned, fluttering his wings and said: you betcha!  Wifey has been extra attentive. That's why I'm up there hollering. Gotta work off some steam. Stubbs chuckled. The door opened and a dove waddled in. Stubbs smiled for he loved their cooing which always made him feel better. He decided on that note, it was time to head for home. On his way out, he tapped RB on his shoulder to say cya later and walked out the door.