I landed just in time as the rain started to set in for the afternoon. The drizzle fell in a slow, regular manner creating a soft patter on the tin roof. I will be able to hear Yvonne and Brian from this safe distance, so I am grateful it’s not pouring. Yesterday, I couldn’t even hear myself think let alone enjoy the show, as it came down so heavy the rain drops on the roof echoed like a chamber. To be expected, Yvonne and Brian were taking up their usual spot on the verandah. Admiring how they were always sitting side by side, I wondered what sort of pre-dinner entertainment I was in for this evening.
Brian reached out with his right foot and fondled Yvonne’s backside in a tickle-like manner. She rolled her eyes trying to swat him away, kicking out her left leg haphazardly. This frolic continued over and over, until Yvonne exclaimed ‘ok Brian, that’s enough’ in a stern, raised voice, all the while a smirk remained on her face. Although he always annoyed her until she was forced to speak up, she secretly loved his attention.
I laughed at Brian’s inability to know when to stop. He was either the most persistent being in existence, or the most stubborn. ‘Unbelievable’ Yvonne bellowed. As I looked down, I heard a crunch, that unfortunately for Brian was not drowned out by the rain. Yvonne turned away from him in a huff. ‘What’ he muffled around a mouthful of food. I flinched at another crunch, as Brian tried so very hard to consume his cuisine inconspicuously. He failed miserably as she still ignored him, but I gave him points for trying. He pressed on valiantly, ‘what my love’ he asked with a soundless swallow.
Yvonne turned back to him, glaring in endless silence. ‘You’re so beautiful’ he said as he reached out to touch her face with his front limb. She swatted his attempt away, ‘did it ever occur to you that I was going to eat that’. Without giving him time to respond she continued, ‘you never consider me’. ‘I’m sorry my love’ he responded eagerly. ‘If I had of known you wanted it, I would have let you have it’. ‘You didn’t even ask’ she said. ‘You just reached out and grabbed it. You are so inconsiderate. You know I’m not as fast with my tongue as you are. Your reflexes are way better than mine. What if nothing else flies by tonight, with this rain, I might go to bed hungry. Worse, I might starve to death. Is that what you want!’ her eyes had begun to water.
‘Of course not, my love. You are my shining star in the night sky, helping me navigate this treacherous life. My beacon of hope. I would never have left the pond and be living this grandiose life in our pipe if it wasn’t for you guiding me’, he pleaded in his customary poetic tone. The corner of Yvonne’s mouth twitched; she tried to hold steadfast in her resolve. But he saw the movement, although slight, and smiled. His Shakespearean abilities always able to weave a little web around her.
He inched closer to Yvonne, but not touching her. Still glaring at him, she didn’t move away from him. ‘I feel like you never consider me. You are much faster at catching food with your tongue, but you never ask if I want any’. She was not wrong. Brian was known for his whippet tongue, which was why I planted myself as high as I was. Close enough to hear the amusement, but also far enough that I don’t become a snack. Obviously, nobody gave the hatchlings the heads up and poor Frank fell victim to Brian’s swiftness this afternoon.
‘I’m sorry my love. You’re right, I should have thought of you and offered you the fly first. I guess I just got over excited, and I didn’t think. My amphibious instinct took over. I promise, the first insect to venture towards our direction tomorrow evening is mine to catch for you. Will you let me do this for you?’
My tummy grumbled; it was getting close to dinner time. Yvonne took a deep breath and let out a heavy, pleasurable sigh. ‘Yes, you can do that for me. Thank you. And thank you for listening to me.’ ‘Of course. Anything for you, my love. I love you’. ‘I know’ She replied with an inflexible smile, not ready to give Brian the satisfaction of winning. Just yet anyway, I smiled knowingly. As I pushed off the wall, feeling the breeze between my wings I thought to myself, if history tells me anything, tomorrow they will kiss. And I headed around the back of the house to find the bin.
© Tropical Writers Inc 2025