UNEXPECTED GUESTS

I was in my bedroom getting ready for work when I heard my son, Alex call from the kitchen. “Hey! You’ve got a hummingbird at your feeder!”

“What? No!” I cried as I stumbled out of my room still trying to get my shoe on. “Not now!” I came into the kitchen looking at where Alex was pointing. Standing on the edge of the glass feeder, dipping his long beak into the opening shaped like a flower, was a ruby-throated hummingbird taking a long drink of nectar.

“I put those feeders out a month ago when we had a warm spell.” I looked over at Alex. “But I haven’t changed the nectar since. What if it’s gone bad and he gets sick?”

I went over to the drawer where I kept my pots. Pulling out a saucepan I placed it on top of the stove. “I really don’t have time for this!” I looked at my watch. “I’m suppose to leave for work in ten minutes!”

I went to the cabinet where I stored the sugar and pulled the plastic container off the shelf. “I wasn’t expecting you today!” I called over my shoulder to the emerald green beauty.

I reached into the drawer and pulled out a measuring cup. Scooping a cup of sugar from the container I poured it into the saucepan. Carrying the pan over to the sink I poured four cups of water over the sugar. Once the pan was on the burner I lit the flame then looked at Alex.

“I really need to finish getting ready for work.” I grabbed a wooden spoon from the drawer and handed it to Alex. “Can you give this a quick stir until the sugar dissolves and turn it off when it comes to a boil?”

Alex gave it a quick stir. “Sure.”

I went back to my bedroom to brush my teeth and do my hair.

“Hey,” Alex called a minute or so later from the kitchen. “Just wanted to let you know the goldfinches are all over your new feeder but the seed is pretty low.”

I couldn’t help but sigh as I tossed my hairbrush back in the vanity drawer and peeked out the bathroom window to see for myself.

Alex was right. The feeder needed to be filled again. “You guys are pigs.” I mumbled as I went out to the kitchen and headed to the back porch. “You know I just filled that two days ago.”

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t think they call the amount of goldfinches we have out there a charm anymore. I’m pretty sure it’s called an infestation.”

I had to laugh. “No it’s not.” I grabbed the bucket of birdseed and went out to the feeder. It only took me a minute to fill before I was back up on the porch. Alex was waiting at the back door.

“The hummingbird food came to a boil so I turned it off.”

I looked over at the red glass feeders. “I’ll fill them when I get home from work.”

I was just getting ready to step back into the house when Alex pointed over my shoulder. “Hey, that’s the first chipmunk I’ve seen this year.”

I turned around to see the little brown fur ball scampering around the bottom of the feeders.

“Didn’t you get him a bag of shelled peanuts?” Alex asked.

I tipped my head back and sighed. “I really don’t have time for this!” I checked my watch again. “I should be leaving for work right now!”

“But don’t you usually go in early?”

“Yes. Because I need to get some things done before everyone comes in.” I was back in the cabinet grabbing the bag of shelled peanuts.

“So, you’re really not late yet.” He reminded me as he went to the drawer to get a pair of scissors so I could open the bag.

“I guess you’re right.” I looked at my watch again. “Technically, I’m not late yet.” I opened the bag and scooped out a handful of peanuts.

“See!” Alex opened the back door, following me as I went back out on the porch.

He stood next to me while I tossed peanuts over to the chipmunk. When I was finished I brushed the peanut dust off my hands and Alex patted me on the shoulder. “If anyone at work asks why you’re not there at your usual time just tell them you had some unexpected guests show up at the house.”