New Birds

A Fine Kettle Of Fish Part 19

Louis and Marshall sat with their legs dangling off the South platform. Sunlight scattered the late afternoon haze with streaks of buttermilk. They took turns looking down at Heidi and Simon's nest through the binoculars. The eggs leaned against each other like two whispering siblings. Heidi appeared to speak to them. They couldn't hear her above the usual noise of the aviary, but they knew her words were all clacks and soothing sounds. Neither Heidi nor Simon treated the crane egg any differently. Louis hoped it would stay that way. If the crane egg hatched, it would hatch first. Which was probably best since it would need the extra weeks of growing before its bigger, more aggressive step-sibling arrived.

The gate bell sounded twice.

"She finally returns. How do I look?" He asked Marshall. Marshall swung around, still holding the binoculars to his eyes.

"Don't be a smart ass." Louis smiled.

"I think you should use that blade on your face again. You missed a few spots," Marshall said. Louis snatched the binoculars from him, while rubbing his other hand across his chin and cheeks, discovering patches of course stubble.

"Perhaps you're right. You go down and let her in, while I go fix this."

* * *

He was still inspecting his clean-shaven chin in a hand-held mirror when Hal's ancient two-panel station wagon sputtered to a stop in front of the barn. The station wagon hadn't been operational in years. And by the way it came to an almost convulsive stop, Louis was most likely towing it back down the mountain for them.

The car died just as he stepped down off the veranda to greet them. A young, raven-haired woman sprung from the passenger side and ran at him. He braced himself for an attack.

She stopped abruptly and offered him a smile. She all but glowed.

Louis, so surprised by this energetically charged young stranger, barely noticed when Tilly approached him from the side, kissing him gently on his still damp cheek. "Louis, this is Samantha."

He looked at his wife, who he was so hellbent on giving his full and undivided attention to less than five minutes ago, but which all these distractions now prevented. He glanced again at the vehicle, noticing Keitin and Hal in the back seat, both appearing miserable but alert. Even Hal seemed to focus on him. He really did not want to hear what any of this was about.

"Welcome, Samantha," he finally said.

The Hummingbird came to a stop directly behind the station wagon. Marshall got out and headed towards the aviary, hands in pocket, stride long and purposeful, without a backwards glance, leaving the door of the vehicle open.

"Marshall?" Louis called out to him.

"Let him go, Louis." Tilly said. "He was taking a little off guard when Samantha introduced herself. My guess it may have been his first time tongue-tied, and it may have caused him some embarrassment. But let's start over. Congratulations on your win. How absolutely wonderful, Louis." Tilly threw her arms around him, and they held each other in a tight, yet awkward embrace. She was trembling slightly. She was cold, fatigued, or scared. Possibly all three. He eyed Samantha over his wife's shoulder, trying to piece things together.

"May I meet the bird that beat our Phoenix?" Samantha asked as she slowly began to spin, arms out as she looked up at the trees and the dome of the aviary behind them. "It's beautiful here. Like the Reveal rooms. The trees make me feel good. I love how they whisper."

It suddenly occurred to him who she was. "Damn, Tilly." He shook his head.

"She may be helpful to us."