A Christmas Present

A Christmas Present” by Mary Wasacz

 Nancy and Jeff have been dating for two years. Jeff wants to marry Nancy, but she wants to travel and establish her career before she settles down. It’s December 20th and I haven’t bought anything for Nancy. We’ll go to the mall today and Nancy can give me a hint of what she’d like for Christmas.

The first store they see is a pet shop. Little pups are in the window, looking so cute and playful, they couldn't resist going in. When Jeff opens the door, the first pet that catches his eye is a white parrot sitting on a round stand near the entrance. As Nancy goes past the bird, he stretches his foot towards her.

"Oh, how cute," Nancy says as she extends her finger to the bird for him to step up. He is so soft and wants to cuddle up to her. Nancy kisses his feathers as he makes a cooing sound and stretches his two wings around her.” He is all white with yellow under his crest, wings and tail and a blue circle around his eyes.

“I can't believe a bird could be so affectionate,” says Nancy as the bird tries to kiss her on her lips, but she wasn’t too sure if he would bite, so she pulls away. Jeff can see she really likes this cute creature. I'll buy him for her for Christmas. I know she’ll be thrilled. Nancy was holding the bird close to her chest. He was making adorable birdie sounds. Nancy walks around the store with this "friend."

When Nancy gets to the opposite side of the store, Jeff approaches the store owner and inquires about buying the bird. “How much is the bird Nancy’s holding?”

“$2000.” 

“Yikes, that’s a lot of money.”

“That’s the going rate for this bird.”

“What type of bird is he?” “An umbrella cockatoo.” Jeff goes over to Nancy and asks,  

“Would you like this bird for Christmas?”

“You mean it? “

“Yes. He seems so happy with you.”

“I’d love to have him. Thanks,” Nancy gives Jeff a kiss.

 He puts down a deposit and is shown some bird cages that would be suitable for a bird his size. They choose a cage.

“That cage is the size of my Mom’s refrigerator,” says Nancy.

"Nancy looks so happy with this bird," he tells the storekeeper. The guy shakes his head “yes” in agreement. 

"We’ll pick the bird up tomorrow.” 

"Is it a girl or a boy,?" Jeff asks the owner. 

"I don't know. The bird needs a blood test to determine its sex." 

"Oh," says Jeff, "Where could I get this done?" 

“A vet. The bird should have a physical to be sure he’s in good health. I’ll give you the name of an excellent avian vet. You must go to a vet specializing in birds.”

“I’m so happy. Thanks,” says Nancy still holding the bird.

“I’ll set up the cage in your apartment tonight. We’ll pick the bird up tomorrow. How’s that?”

“Could we bring him home tonight?”

“Sure. “

“Great.” “That’s a huge cage. Good thing I have ample wall space next to the window.” 

“What does he eat,” asks Nancy.

“Pellets, which he’s been on since he was weaned from formula. Also give him veggies and a small amount of fruit everyday.” He gets the bag of pellets and puts it on the counter. “Change his water bowl daily. This little foot toy he enjoys. Look for a few more toys to occupy him.” “I’m so happy. I can’t believe I have a bird.”

He is placed into a small cardboard box for the ride home. Nancy holds the box tightly while talking softly to him.

“We have to think of a name for him. Do you have any ideas, Jeff?”

“What about Harley?”   

 “I know how you love your Harley motorcycle.  Perfect name for him.”

When they arrive home, Jeff pulls the large cage from his truck and rolls it up the sidewalk to the front entrance and waits for the elevator. Nancy is talking to Harley. Jeff rolls the cage into the apartment.

“Where do you want the cage?”

“ In front of the window. He’ll be entertained by the activity of birds flying by.” The cage has perches and food and water cups. Nancy gets fresh water and pellets for him. She opens the box and takes Harley out. He steps up on her finger.

“You’re home in your house, little one. This is my apartment, now it’s your home.”

“Let’s call Chop Stix for dinner take-out. Do you want the usual? –Happy Family –Shrimp, scallops, beef, chicken, roast pork, lobster and broccoli.”                

“Yeah, says Nancy. I’ll share my dinner with Harley. I feel like we’re a happy family adding Harley.” The bird is sitting on her shoulders. “Glad I’m off tomorrow so I can spend a lot of time with him.”

Jeff orders General Tso’s Speciality Chicken, his favorite with chunks of slightly fried chicken in a spicy brown sauce.

“I’ll set a place for the bird at our table. He can sample all our food.” She brings a small plate for his food and sets the bird down on the table. He looks around at the food, but doesn’t take any. Nancy holds up a piece of chicken, and he takes a bite. Then he walks over to her plate and sits on the edge of it.

“How cute he is, says Nancy. Jeff agrees.

They have Tsingtoa beer which they offer the bird, but he’s not interested. She gives him some water, putting it next to her plate which he sips.

After dinner, they sit on the couch. Jeff holds the bird. Nancy brings over his pellets which he grabs in his mouth, then transfers to his foot. Jeff rubs his head, his eyes close, so content. Nancy turns on the TV to” Miracle on 34^th Street.” The bird falls asleep on Jeff’s hand –“Look, he’s comfortable with me.” The bird is quiet during the movie. When the movie’s over, Jeff says, ”I better get going. I have a busy day tomorrow.” Nancy puts the bird in his cage where he poops a huge watery poop. 

I can’t fall asleep. I’m so excited about the bird. My thoughts turn to Jeff who is the nicest guy I have ever dated. He was so thoughtful to buy me a bird. I feel like Harley is our baby.

The next morning, Nancy wakes up to a loud screeching sound coming from the living room. She runs in to see her bird screeching and flapping his wings. She is frantic. What is wrong with him? He was so cute yesterday. And quiet. What have I gotten myself into? Nancy opens the cage and puts her hand in to take him out. He bites her. ”Ouch, you bad bird,” she says in a loud voice. The bird’s crest goes up and he screeches at her.” My finger’s bleeding. I better wash it off. You were so nice yesterday. What happened to you that you are so mean? This was a big mistake. What am I going to do now?”

She picks up her phone in desperation.  “Jeff, this bird is a monster, “ as she describes her encounter with him. “Can we take him back?”

“Call the pet store and ask the owner, I’m in a meeting and can’t talk.”

She storms over to the bird, yelling at him which gets him all excited. He’s raising his crest and shakes his head up and down as he paces on his perch. She gets a towel and throws it at him. “I don’t like you, you damn bird.”

He screeches which continues for an hour.

Her doorbell rings. Mrs. Smith, a neighbor next door, frowning say, “What’s that awful noise coming from your apartment?

“It’s a bird. Wanna see him?”

“Sure.” The neighbor talks softly to the bird and the screeching stops.  “I have a friend who has a parrot like yours. Want me to call her and see what she might suggest?”

“ Yeah. All I can think of is what a mistake this was.”

The friend, Marcia, arrives about a half hour later. “What a pretty bird you have.”

“He may be pretty but he’s a monster.” She describes what happened.

“You have to read his body language so you’ll avoid getting bit.”

“I never had a bird before. Didn’t know what I was getting into.”

“I have a book about parrots at home. I’ll drop it off. It’s important to research about your species—can do it on the internet.” 

“He needs protection from the outside. Birds flying by could frighten him. Maybe he was afraid. You have to think like a bird. Move his cage down by the wall so he won’t feel so vulnerable. Marcia helps her push the cage.

“His droppings are loose. What did you feed him? “ Nancy tells her and Marcia explains that food from our mouth has bacteria. Sauces aren’t good either. They don’t need meat, except for chicken bones that has bone marrow which is good for them. They need 10 to 12 hours of sleep.”

“He only slept 6 hours.”

“You just need to educate yourself about him, then you two will be good friends.”

“Can I take him out of the cage?” Nancy shakes her head “Yes.”

He steps right up to her finger when she takes him out, speaking softly. He’s quiet.

“He’s a nice bird. You have to work together. Take him.”

“I’m sorry, Harley. I didn’t understand you. Can we be friends?” He steps up onto her finger.

“Your bird needs to learn to play by himself or you will have a Velcro bird that won’t be happy unless he’s with you. Get him toys so he can entertain himself.

“Thanks so much. I would have returned him if you hadn’t helped me.”

Nancy follows Marcia’s advice. She put the bird back in his cage so he will entertain himself. When Jeff calls, she tells all about the nice lady who helped with information.

“Let’s go out to eat tonight,” says Jeff. 

“OK, says Nancy. “Today I thought a lot about you. You’re wonderful. You’re thoughtful. You saw how much I liked the bird and bought him for me. Somehow the bird made me see what is really important in life. You are the most important person to me. I am ready to settle down. I wouldn’t want to travel too far and leave this bird home without us. My career is going well. I love you.”

     “You know I love you. So happy you’re ready to settle down. After dinner we can go shopping for a ring.”