When I returned with the smallest fluffiest towel I could find, the bluebird was looking up at me and it was wet. I decided to ignore the fact that it was dripping water on my carpet and I set the towel down.

I grabbed my phone off the cabinet before sitting down at the computer. How long did it take to mend a broken wing? I asked Google. This time when a caw broke my concentration I simply looked down. It looked like it was done, half of the water was gone, and it’s much cleaner wing was resting on the towel.

“Am I correct in assuming your wing is broken?”

The bluebird nodded.

“I was looking up information about it. I’m not a veterinarian, but I can find one for you if you like?”

The bluebird recoiled so violently it’s a wonder that it didn’t fall backwards. It alarmed me and my eyes went wide and I waved my hand, “Settle down! I get it! No vets! Look, we don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do! Calm down!”

The bluebird looked like it was in the midst of a panic attack then suddenly sagged in relief.

I felt guilty. So I spoke softly, “I’m sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you.”

The bluebird shook its head.

“Anyway, it says here that I should carefully bind your wing. Is that what I should do?”

I eyed it carefully. The bluebird eyed me and once again I got the feeling it was assessing me. It straightened and its amethyst eyes gazed at me. Then finally an eternity later, it gave a nod.

I nodded and walked over to my dresser, “According to research, it should be something in the realm of….certainly not that…..” I muttered as I tossed things aside. Some things I tossed on the floor.

After I was done, I picked the items up and turned to look at the bluebird, “Anything catch your eye?”

I held things up one by one until the bluebird finally settled on a purple loose scarf of mine. I tossed the rest of the stuff back in the drawer and closed it.

I suddenly found myself extremely shy as I approached the bluebird and sat down, “I want to apologize in advance. I’ve never done anything like this before.”

The bluebird moved its head in a gesture that I interpreted as, ‘It’s okay.’

I was hesitant as I finally announced that I would begin. Like many girls I had often imagined that I was a Princess that could talk to and pet all manner of animals. It was strange to be this close to a bird. They usually fly away if you get to close, let alone if you try to touch them.

Its feathers were soft with a lustrous shine. I was aware of its guarded gaze on me as I wrapped the scarf around the blue bird’s body holding the wing snug against it with the scarf underneath the left wing allowing it to go free.

I let out a breath as I finished and put some distance between us. “How is that? Okay?”

The blue bird dipped its head and I couldn’t help but to smile.

“It says that it takes 2-4 weeks for your wing to heal. Does that sound about right?”

The bluebird cocked its head.

“Not sure, huh?” I stood up, “Well, not to worry about that. Ahh. Food. Are you hungry? It says that bluebirds like insects.” I waved this away. Even if I could catch insects, I wasn’t about to. A shudder of revulsion ran through me. “I can’t….There is no way. However it also says that bluebirds like fruit like grapes or cherries. How does that sound?”

The bluebird nodded.

“Wonderful, grapes it is!!”

By the time night settled I had found a small pillow and a blanket and got the little bluebird situated for sleep. I even washed and refilled the water dish in case it got thirsty overnight.

I had finished my own routine and was in my pajamas. I checked the house and turned off the lights. This entire time the window was open so I went to close it only to hear a loud resounding caw. This time it startled me and I spun around with a growl, “I told you not to do that!”

The bluebird with amethyst eyes seemed to catch the moonlight and almost looked apologetic. I rubbed my chest once, “I take it you want the window to remain open?”

I didn’t wait for an answer before walking over to my bed, “You are lucky it’s nice enough to have the window open.”

I situated myself and looked at the bluebird, “You good?” I managed to see the bluebird nod and I smiled, “Alright, good night!!”

That was Friday.

By Monday morning, the blue bird had disappeared leaving only a single blue feather on my desk.

So much for 2-4 weeks of recovery….