forehead.
“You don’t know that. What I say might be pretty awful.” “Most things you say are pretty awful.” Joe took Jacob’s hand and
pressed it to his lips. “But whatever it is I’m sure I’ll be here to support
you.”
“I really want to believe that.” Jacob responded. “I really do.” “When you’re ready to tell me the awful thing you did, I’ll be here ready
to listen.”
“Thanks.” Jacob said.
“Now come on. Let’s get out of the sun. You’re starting to burn.” Joe
pointed to Jacob’s forehead as proof.
“I’m a Canadian. I burn in a fridge.”
“Well, let’s get you somewhere safe then.”
“Anywhere in mind?” Jacob asked.
“I think I’ll let you choose.” Joe smiled.
“You sure?”
“Of course. I chose last time. Let’s follow your heart this time.” “Okay…I mean there is someplace I’d like to go.” Jacob said. “If it’s
not too nerdy of course.”
“I’ll follow you.”
26
Romano.
Some might consider it an unconventional choice, but to Jacob, this felt like nostalgia. The fish store in the mall felt like something out of the nineties. The bright blue walls that lined the dozens of aquariums that all smelled uniquely fishy. The lights shone just a bit too bright to be comfortable. The hundreds of fish that lined the aisles that were squished way too close together. To him, it was perfect.
Currently Jacob was looking into a tank that had a variety of hermit crabs. If he squinted, he was convinced one of them was waving at him. Joe was currently marveling at something Jacob couldn’t see.
“What do you think this one is? It’s swimming all funny.” Joe asked, and Jacob peeked his head over to take a look.
“Dead.” Jacob responded.
“Oh. That makes sense.” Joe said. “Are you wanting to buy some new fish? Or…maybe just a snack for Teddy?”
“Snacks for Teddy!” The bird exclaimed, bobbing happily from tank to tank. The store employee hadn’t taken kindly to letting a bird in the spaceso he’d voluntarily put Teddy on a leash justoutside the store. Not far enough away apparently.
“No. I just like coming here. There’s so few places around that still have fish that I think it’s nice. It’s comforting. Reminds me of easier times. Back when stores like this could exist more easily I guess.” Jacob said. He guided Joe to the back of the store, away from the chaos at the front, and away from Teddy.
“It does have a unique smell to it.” Joe sniveled.
“Yeah, try to ignore that, but it can be nice in its own way.” Jacob said looking into a tank absolutely bursting with bright fish in a dozen or so colours. “Look at these guys.”
“They definitely look like fish.” Joe responded. “Do you even have an aquarium?”
“Not even a little bit. I just wanted to share this with someone.” Jacob smiled. “I know it’s silly but I find it comfortable here. I can just walk the aisles and look at nature. Not real nature of course- but there’s still something connecting about it. These creatures spend their entire lives surrounded by people like us- or get taken home and displayed- they’re totally and completely dependent on us and what we’re doing. We help shape their entire world. We give them food, shelter- they literally need us to do everything. And we do- just because we like having their company or watching them.”
