13. Sara

Chapter thirteen

Sara

I push the bird's body a little bit, narrowly avoiding the wing. When I get it onto the sand, I work to prop it upright.

The bird attempts to fly but then can't. It half-trots around along the shore.

"You won't be flying on that anytime soon, little buddy."

"Sara, can you do something about this?" Robert asks.

I look over at him. He doesn't get it, but I suppose I'll tell him later, once the dust settles.

"Yes, I can," I reply. "He's got a bad wing, so if we brace it, he'll be able to rest it a little bit. It'll reduce the pain. Do you have anything I can use as a brace?"

He looks around, shaking his head. "No, but I may have something in the house."

"Would you get it for me, please?"

He stands there for a moment, but I clutch the bird a little bit tighter. I know animals that get hurt like this don't have many to help them, which is why I need to.

"I'll see what I can find," he says as he quickly moves inside. I call my thanks but it is already too late as I see the door close behind him.

As I gently stroke the bird's back, it doesn't bite or try to fuss but instead lets out a cooing sound.

"Yeah, you were almost a goner there, weren't you?"

He was practically drowning in the water when I caught up to him. His wing is fluttering weakly, and his legs are attempting to move, but are weak as well. I look at the area to see if this was an accident or if he got hit with something.

I see a small bruise that looks like it was made from a fight with another animal. Assessing his underside, I find a few scratches on his body.

At least it doesn't seem man-made. Maybe it flew into a tree or a rock. We'll never know.

About ten minutes pass, and I keep the bird close. Where is Robert? My eyes scan around, wondering if there are any other options here. I don't know what types of animal care or sanctuaries they have out here.

A couple more minutes pass before I see the door open. Robert walks out with some athletic tape and a splint for a finger in his hands.

"I don't have much, but this could work, right?"

He hands it to me and I nod. "Yes. We just need to give this little guy some help. Is there an animal sanctuary on the island?"

He purses his lips and whistles. "I'm not sure."

"Would you see if you can find out? I'll handle dressing the wound," I explain.

I gently grab the bird's wing. It flaps around wildly, but I shush it, helping it calm down.

"It'll be okay," I assure the animal. I know what it's like for animals to be afraid. Some of the seniors that I take care of at the animal sanctuary struggle when they get hurt. We treat their health issues and wounds unless they're terminal and there's nothing we can do.

I've seen my fair share of animals hurt. It breaks my heart, but knowing that I'm here and able to help this sweet bird, does warm my heart.

I gently grab the wing and place the brace next to it. The bird jerks around, but I keep it in place, the same way I did with a robin that flew into a tree and broke his leg a while back.

"It's okay, little buddy. I want you to relax," I gently assure him.

The bird flaps around a few more times before I manage to get the last of the brace wrapped in place. As it stands there, I grab the tape.

Now, we just need to secure this in place.

But as I attempt to wrap it around, the bird thrashes about, causing the brace to fall off.

"Darn it."

It's not uncommon for animals to be squirmy, especially when being given treatment. Time's passing, however, and I need to get this wing stabilized.

Where is Robert?

A few minutes later, Robert comes out. He frowns, approaching me while on his cell phone.

"Yes. I need this ASAP. Well, get someone out here right away! Okay, morning? Well, it better be here first thing, because we have this poor bird in need."

He hangs up the phone and turns to me. "I'm sorry, Sara. They won't be able to come till morning."

"It's fine," I assure him. "I'm trying to keep the bird still, but he's scared. It probably hurts him, too."

"Here, let me help."

Robert grasps the bird. It attempts to bite at him, but he holds the bird securely in place.

I grab the brace, placing it in the same area I did before. The bird continues fighting, refusing to abate. Robert turns away so that the bird doesn't nick his face.

"Come on, we're almost there. You're doing great," I assure the bird. My words don't do much, of course, but at least they ease my own heart. I hate fighting with animals on this, but I know that the sooner we get this on, the better.

I wrap the first bit of tape around the wing and then proceed to do it two more times. After the bird's wing is attached to the brace tight enough, I let it go.

The bird raises its wing halfway, moving around and hopping along the beach. I stare at it, relieved to see that it's not as bad off as we thought.

"Is it good?"

"Yeah, for now. So they won't be here till tomorrow, right?"

"Correct."

"Do we have a place to keep him? I'm worried that he might try to run off or get into trouble," I ask.

"Yeah, I do. Check this out."

We walk back over toward the house, and I see a good-sized birdcage there.

"That's perfect."

"It is. I used to have a parrot on the island here to entertain visitors, but the upkeep was a little hard with me being remote, so I brought him back home to a friend who loves birds and was really excited to have him."

"I see. Well, let's get the little guy in here."

We walk back to the bird, who is trying to move about. I extend my hands in an attempt to catch it. The bird swerves out of my grasp.

"Hold on! I've got it."

Robert moves in front of the bird, reaching his arms around it. He grasps the body gently and brings him over to the cage, closing the door. After a second, he takes a deep breath and wipes the sweat from his brow.

"There! We've got him."

I walk over, checking on the bird. He hops around a little bit but doesn't attempt to fly. The cage is a little too small for his species, but he's not going to be living in it. This is just for tonight, and it's something that will work for right now.

"All right, are we good?" Robert asks, approaching the cage.

"Sure are. So, they'll be coming in the morning, correct?"

He nods. "Yeah, couldn't get them to come out sooner. Their night staff is only one person who can't leave the clinic. That is pretty typical if it is not specified as an emergency care center. I hate that they aren't staffed to allow for outside emergencies."

Trust me, I dislike it too, but I know why they do that. "That's how it is at the sanctuary that I work at."

"Wait, sanctuary?" he asks.

I stand there, frozen in place. I didn't plan on telling Robert. I run my hand through my hair and grin.

"Oh, you know, just a little place where I help out. I work there a few days a week when I can. Anyway, we should probably head inside and get some sleep."

I open the door and slip in. I'm not sure if I'm ready to tell Robert about my dreams. He'd be the first to know who wasn't Katie and all that. My parents made fun of this dream for a while, telling me it was not worth it. I don't want a repeat.

I head to my room. Almost there. But, as I'm about to turn the corner, I hear a voice.

"Sara, wait."

I stop, turning and looking at Robert.

"We should head to bed, Robert. I don't want to be up too late—"

"What was it that you meant back there?" he asks.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb. The sanctuary. You work at an animal sanctuary?"

His eyes look me over curiously, and I try to think of a way to get out of this. I hesitate, knowing that If I tell him, it'll open the doors to a part of myself I've kept at bay.

I don't want to hide it.

I want to tell him even if he doesn't understand.

"Let's talk on the couch. It's a long story."

"Don't worry, I've got time."