“Iwasn’tuntil a year or so ago. Actually, the story of how I got into it is kinda pathetic. You probably won’t think it’s all that cute after I tell you.”
“Oh, I doubt that. Tell me.”
I told her how, last year, I started thinking about getting a dog or a cat, because all my friends were starting to settle down and get in serious relationships, and my condo was feeling a little lonely.
“Aww,” she interjected.
“But the problem with having a cat or a dog is, well, I’m an athlete; I’m always on the road. And I don’t want to have to get a pet sitter because that’s just one more thing to worry about. I guess the commitment scared me off.”
Her brow wrinkled. “But … I thought fish were a ton of work? Don’t you have to constantly change the water and worry about the water pH and all that?”
“Ah, see, that’s the beauty of my setup.”
She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“How much do you want to know? Because I can geek out on you here if you want me to.”
“I wouldloveit if you geeked out on me, Dakota.”
“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you …”
I explained how I’d found a method of aquarium keeping called the Walstad method, which focuses on creating a self-sustaining ecosystem within the tank. The key to the Walstad method?Plants.Lots and lots and lots of plants.
“It all starts with a nutrient-rich substrate,” I said, pointing at the inch of soil at the very bottom of the tank. “The soil provides nutrients for the plants. And the plants filter out the excess waste and provide oxygen for the fish.”
“How do you keep the dirt from becoming mud?” she asked.
I pointed at the two inches of fine sand that capped the soil.
“The sand acts as a barrier, keeping the soil down, while allowing nutrients to slowly filter through.”
“That issointeresting,” she said.
“It’s basically an entire ecosystem with an entire food web. I don’t have to change my water or mess with any chemicals or any of that.” I leaned in closer. “Wanna know the craziest part? I don’t even have to feed the fish.”
She gasped. “What?! Then what do they eat?”
I tapped gently on the glass. “Take a closer look.”
She leaned closer, her face an inch away from the glass. A whole new world, teeming with aquatic insects, unfolded before her eyes—and she gasped when she realized that’s what the fish were nipping at as they swam around.
“They’re constantly hunting for food rather than waiting for me to feed them,” I explained. “It’s funny, because if you feed your fish too much, they won’t hunt—and then the food web gets out of balance, andthat’swhen you can run into issues with your water quality or algae.”
“Wow. This issocool. How’d you find out about this method?”
I shrugged. “I guess … in my ultimate quest to avoid commitment … I did a bunch of research, and found the perfect setup that allows me to be a lazy piece of shit?”
She took my hand. “Hey. Don’t talk about yourself like that.” She shook her head, her expression turning serious, almost angry. “You’re not lazy, Dakota. I’ve known lazy people, and they don’t do tons of research and go through all the work to set something like this up.” She traced comforting circles on my back with her hand. “You really shouldn’t listen to the people that say you’re not dedicated. Because you clearlyare.You just need to find what works for you, what fits your style. And that’s perfectly fine.”
Her words touched me so deeply, a fuzzy warmth began to glow in my core. For so long, I’d internalized all the negative labels thrown my way that I think I’d begun to believe people were right about me—but Ottavia’s kind and affirming words were like a soothing balm to my soul. This was a woman who could see me for who I truly was. This was a woman who believed in me—even whenIdidn’t believe in me. She was a game changer.
“Ottavia … I … I don’t know what to say.”
Unable to find the right words, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into a tight embrace, savoring the warm softness of her body against mine.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“Aw, baby. Of course” she said, squeezing me tightly. “And thankyoufor showing me your fish.”
