Love Is for the Birds

20. Teddy

AT THE REFUGE, A DOZEN PEOPLE GATHERED ON THE recently restored boardwalk under a crisp fall sky. Teddy spied a flock of plovers flying low over feathery grasses waving in the breeze. Except for the high-pitched squeaks of plovers, and whistles from birds hidden in the brush, all was quiet and peaceful. Though remnants of the hurricane’s devastation remained—piles of brush, flattened beds of grass, broken boards, trash—the wetlands survived.

The pungent odor of stagnant water rose out of the muck as they walked to a spot of hardened mud, but the salt breeze stroked her face with a soft, cooling mist. She searched the grassy banks of inlets for the Whoopers. Even after the hurricane winds and crashing waves scooped up whole trees and flung them into the marsh, trampled the fragile wolfberry bushes, and washed away the bird and crab nests, the cranes had returned. Somehow, the cranes knew Bird Isle would be ready. Some kind of bird email? The birds flew 2,500 miles, and even the hurricane couldn’t keep them away.

Barb motioned for her to come over to her telescope. “Look here,” Barb whispered.

She peered through the viewer and spotted a Whooping Crane standing in a few inches of water. The crane nabbed a crab the size of a fist and strode through the marsh with the crab hanging from its long beak. “Tonight’s special, fresh crab.”

Barb put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s awesome, isn’t it?”

Teddy reached for Jack’s hand. “You’ve got to see this.” She held the telescope in place. As he stooped to peer through the scope, she admired his broad shoulders.

“That’s crazy,” Jack said.

He sounded like a school kid. Seeing him excited about the Whoopers and Bird Isle sent a swell of emotion through her. With Jack around, she viewed Bird Isle with a new set of eyes.

Another crane landed and stuck its beak in the water. Then after a few minutes, the two cranes raised their great wings, rose above the grassland, transformed into drones, and flew West, keeping their sights on the marsh. No wonder Barb had waited so anxiously for these birds.

The group moved away from where they spotted the birds so as not to disturb their feeding. They walked silently to the temporary wildlife management office.

At the office, Barb broke the silence. “High fives all around.” She slapped Teddy’s hands and then did the rounds. “We’ll be able to have a Whooping Crane Festival after all.”

Sweet Somethings would be ready. Teddy couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. She hadn’t thought of Daniel for days, but today he came to mind. They would’ve never shared something like this together. Jack celebrated with the locals just as if he was a local. Teddy smiled at him and laughed as he and Barb jumped and twirled with excitement. Teddy’s heart was in her throat, wanting him to hold her next.