The lifeless bird was uncovered as she was helping her closest friend Tamma, cut down the dead bushes by her back door. Tamma assumed the baby bird was dead; having fallen from a nest perched delicately on the corner of the house. The thing’s bulging black eyes were closed, and it was completely bald, clothed only in dried mud and brown ants. The nest above was silent, abandoned by the failure of the mother bird. June bent down to scoop up the body in an attempt to shelter her friend, frozen in place. The bird twitched. It wasn’t a large movement, merely a small pulsing of a wing. There was no discussion, instead silent agreement. June ran for the hose and delicately washed away the invasive ants. Tamma laid the bird in a faded yellow hand towel and gently carried it into the house. Tamma’s hands shook as she dialed the first animal hospital in the phone book. With pressure in the back of her throat, she asked if there was anything they could do for the struggling bird. The voice on the line was hesitant. “There is nothing you can do. Put it back outside and let nature take its course.” June swam through the other phone numbers, begging compassion from strangers, but the answers were all the same. Tamma stood up, clutching the wrapped bird. She carried it outside, to a patch of purple cone flowers. June watched from the window as Tamma picked up a brick and swiftly brought it down on top of the bird, crushing it into the earth. June ran to her, tears streaming down her vacant face. Tamma looked up with damaged grey eyes that had seen more pain and loss than anyone could be expected to endure. “It was just too much”, Tamma said as she slowly stood. Anne watched her for a long, quiet moment, and then looked down at her own still hands, unable to let her eyes fall upon the brick.
The Bird – Fiction
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