Love Is for the Birds

25. Jack

WHILE JACK DROVE TO THE AMOS REHABILITATION KEEP , Teddy briefed him on the meeting with Dot. Soon the news about Pete would be all over town.

“You can’t say a word.” Teddy put a finger to her mouth.

“You really think you need to remind me?” He put the truck in park and frowned at her. “Seriously?”

She lifted a corner of her mouth. “Just saying.”

They climbed from the truck, and Barb ushered them to the tank in the bird area. She carried a white sheet and followed Big Bill briskly but smoothly to a corner where she dropped the sheet on top of him, scooped him into her arms, and clasped his beak with her right hand. She carried him to a cage and set him loose inside.

“This is not your first rodeo.” He patted the top of the cage. “He’s my favorite.”

“You can load this one on your truck.” The shadow of a cloud passed over Barb’s face. “Remember I told you not to get too attached.”

With all six pelicans captured, caged, and stowed in the pickup, the three of them drove to Sunset Bay. He backed his truck almost all the way to the shore. The waters of the bay rolled gently onto the flat sandy beach where a half-dozen people waited to watch the release of the pelicans. The news had been posted on the ARK website.

Teddy climbed into the bed of the truck and shoved Big Bill’s cage to the edge.

Barb peeked inside. “You ready ol’ boy?”

The small group of onlookers cheered.

“Unfortunately, pelicans get injured every day. I’m preaching to the choir when I say that the majority of injuries to pelicans are inflicted by humans.” Barb winced. “That’s right. Humans. Think about that. Your continued support is critical to our mission. But back to the task at hand. We’ve lost so much in the storm. I am so pleased to be able to return these birds to the wild. Thank you for your continued support of the ARK.”

Teddy stepped forward. “I want to thank Barb for taking in these birds. After the hurricane, she took them into her own home. She cared for them until we could open the center. We’ve worked hard. This release is just one more step in our complete recovery and proves that the humans and animals on Bird Isle are resilient.” She turned to Barb. “We won’t be grounded.”

“Amen,” Barb said. “Jack Shaughness developed a special bond with Big Bill here. I’m going to let him do the honors.”

“Me?” He tapped his chest. “How do I do it?”

Barb showed him the latch. “Not much to it. Just open the cage.”

He watched Bill through the wires of his cage. “You can do this, big boy.”

The bird posed with his long bill resting against his white neck which curved in an S-shape. Bill’s eyes, like black marbles, seemed focused on the Gulf and the taste of a silver fish or two.

With a twist of the latch, the door to the cage released. Bill flapped his wings and flew down to the shoreline. With his webbed feet in the water, Bill stood there as if contemplating his next move.

“C’mon, Bill, you can do it.” Jack stepped forward.

Barb blocked him with an arm. “Give him a minute.”

Teddy pushed two other cages to the edge. Barb released the birds, and they joined Bill in the shallow tide.

Brooke ran to the truck. “Can I do it?”

“Of course,” Barb said.

Brooke unlatched two cages and quickly stepped away. Brooke’s birds joined the others. She quickly pulled her cell phone from her pocket and started a movie. “They’re checking out the water,” she yelled.

Finally, Bill took off. “Brooke, it’s Bill,” Jack shouted.

Brooke pointed her phone in Bill’s direction. “I’ve got it.”

Bill flew over the shallows, his feet skimming the water, then gradually, he gained height. Jack blew a sigh of relief. The rest of the birds followed Bill. They soared toward the morning sun. Jack watched them, transfixed by the sight of their powerful wings.

With his binoculars, he followed the three pelicans still in his sight. A tinge of pride shot through him when one dove into the surf and snagged a silvery menhaden fish. Whether or not Bill had scored the snack, he couldn’t be positive.

“They’re going to be just fine.” He reached for Teddy’s hand. “They’re gone now.”

“Not gone.” Barb smiled with her face raised to the sky. “Free.”

Teddy squeezed his hand. A year ago, he would never have imagined he’d be rescuing pelicans. Even weirder, he never dreamed he’d be thinking of someone besides Angela.