The Duck(Marla) I never wanted a duck. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-duck or anything. What I mean is I never thought, “Wow. What’s missing from my life is a duck. I wish I had one.” But, as you may have already concluded, I do have a duck.

The first time I heard him was a few months ago. I’d chosen a duck quack for my alarm. After I turned off my alarm, I heard more quacking. It took me a moment to realize that the sound was coming from outside. I pushed the curtain aside, and there he was, just standing there.

I didn’t do anything. So what? A duck was in the yard. He’d come on his own, and he’d leave the same way. I got dressed, had breakfast, and left for work.

The next day was similar. I turned off the alarm. I heard the duck outside. This time though, when I peered out the window, he saw me. He saw me and he didn’t look away. He stared. It was weird.

I dropped the curtain, and like the day before, I went about my routine. When I stepped outside, he was standing on my porch. He looked at me expectantly, as if he thought I would invite him in. I didn’t. But lest you think I’m extremely rude, I will tell you that I said, “Good morning.”

The duck tilted his head. Then he waddled right past me and into my house. He went straight ahead several steps and then turned around to see me. It was a slow process. Step, step. Turn. Step, step. Turn. That’s how it is with ducks.

Well, this had never happened before, so I wasn’t sure what to do. There was no way I was going to attempt to pick him up. And chasing him could lead to disaster. I walked carefully past him and went to the kitchen. I picked up a sleeve of crackers and returned to the duck. “Hungry? Follow me.” He waddled behind me as I led him to the back of the house where I have a sunporch. It has some wicker furniture and a coffee table. I set several crackers on the floor and propped open the screen door to allow the duck to go when he wanted to. I locked the door between the porch and my house and then I went to work.

I assumed he’d be gone when I returned, but no, he was sitting on a chair when I got home. He looked comfortable. I sighed. I gave him a few more crackers and some water.

The next morning, he was still in the sunporch. This time when I fed him, he took a moment to rest his head on my hand. It was sweet, I guess. I’m not saying it pulled the strings of my heart or anything like that. I’m just saying it was sort of sweet.

When I got home from work that day, he was still there. I don’t know about you, but I have neither the desire nor the energy to argue with a duck after an eight-hour shift. So, I sat down with my laptop and within minutes I was relaxing with my favorite show. Beside me the duck sat quietly. He didn’t interrupt once. I might have forgotten that he was even there, but a few times after staring at the screen, he'd turn to me as if seeking some sort of explanation. He soon learned that I don't talk during my show. Besides, it would be ridiculous to try to tell him what was going on or who the characters were. He seemed to accept that.

Well, he’s been living in my porch and backyard ever since, and I don't mind. He’s like a pet, only easier. He isn’t messy or noisy or demanding. He’s good company, and I have to admit that having him around is better than being alone. Sometimes the thing that you never thought you wanted turns out to be a good thing.

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