Jodi sculled the final measure. Cole took Jodi’s empty mug, set it next to the bottle, and wrapped her arm around Jodi’s shoulders, drawing her in against the side of her body. She didn’t need to wait long for the day’s events and the brandy to help Jodi relax against her. “You had a bad day, my friend. But because of what you did, you stopped it from being the worst possible outcome for Frank. And as that foal grows, he will look at it and know that it is here only because of all you did today.”
Jodi’s body let go of the day. Her breathing became slow and deep. Cole knew she should probably encourage her to get up and go to bed rather than fall asleep on the tiny couch. But for some reason she wanted to hold Jodi for just a little bit longer. Looking down at their entwined fingers, Cole thought she really should get ready to go home but found herself not wanting to break the contact or lose the warmth between them just yet. Cole kissed Jodi on the top of the head before relaxing against her and allowed the day to close as it might, wrapped in warmth and compassion.
“Oh! You little shit, you.” Charlie set the milk bottle on the table and grabbed the tea towel she always kept at her side when feeding.
“Kick the teat out of her mouth again, did she?” Pip shot a wry grin over her shoulder as she pulled clean pouches from the washing machine.
Charlie exhaled loudly. “Yes. Damned milk is everywhere now.” She mopped a pool of milk from the wallaby joey’s belly and then her hand.
“How much did she drink?”
“Who the fuck knows? It’s like she knows I’m in a hurry to get her fed.” She dipped a cotton ball in the mug of warm water and gently cleaned the sticky milk off the joey’s fur.
Pip touched her lightly on the shoulder. “Take your time, lovely. We’re not in any rush.” Pip picked up the full wash basket and opened the door. “I still have to hang these and then make sure the koalas have enough fresh leaves to last the day.”
Charlie sighed. “I know. It’s just that I want to make sure we pick the perfect place.”
“You know, of course, that all we can do is give him an ideal place with which to start. In all likelihood he’ll end up flying hundreds of kilometres from his release site.”
“You’re right. And I suppose I’m just being silly.”
“Not silly, love. Just a typical concerned parent.” Pip winked. “I’ll be back by the time you’ve finished cleaning everything up. The joey, you, and the bottles.”
Charlie laughed and waved her out. She made sure the joey was completely wiped of congealed milk dots and then toileted her. After twisting the pouch closed she slid the wallaby back into the canvas bag to sleep until the next feed.
She ran hot water into the sink and added a sizeable squirt of dishwashing detergent. There were some days when she felt that all she predominantly did was clean out the bottles and teats. She took her time, knowing she was essentially putting off the inevitable.
Her emotions fluctuated. Of course she would miss the eagle that had bonded with her so strongly. But the goal had always been to rehabilitate and then release. The same as it was with all the animals they had in care. Charlie would openly admit to anyone that she was happy for the bird. But his release also meant something that she absolutely was not looking forward to. The first in a series of goodbyes. In the span of three days, she would be saying goodbye to Big Bird, Pip, and Australia, boarding a plane, and returning to the States for two weeks.
It would be the first time she and Pip would be separated since the flood. And that had been months ago. When she’d come to Australia, she never thought she’d love it so much, let alone fall in love and want to stay permanently. Now, she couldn’t imagine being away from Pip and the animals even for five minutes. Living here was as natural as breathing. The days they’d be apart already felt nearly unbearable. Charlie took a shuddering breath and slumped against the counter, an increasing burn behind her eyes.
Pip snaked her arms around Charlie’s waist and pulled her close. “It’ll be all right, love. Big Bird will be just fine.”
Charlie hadn’t even heard her come back into the room. Somehow it was like Pip always knew when she was upset. Charlie turned around and Pip held her, her embrace reassuring. She nodded against Pip’s shoulder and cried. She sniffed and tried to laugh. “Oh, it’s not just him.”
“I know. But we’re not going anywhere. All you gotta do is make sure you get that cute arse back here quick smart, so we can keep working on getting you permanency.”
Charlie wiped her eyes. “I wish I didn’t have to go.”
“Me too. But if this is what you have to do until you finish your application and immigration evaluates it, then I reckon we just need to suck it up and get on with it. It’ll be over in the blink of an eye.”
“Ha. I wish it were only that short.”
“Me too, love. Me too.” Pip rubbed her back. “Hey, Jodi’ll be here any second. So we should probably get ready.”
“I didn’t think Jodi was coming. I’m surprised she’s taking some time off. She seemed pretty busy the last time she was here.” Charlie turned the cold water on, splashed some on her face, and wiped it dry.
“She was going to bail out but Cole managed to convince her to come along for the ride by offering to hold the fort at the clinic. Cole called me while I was outside to give us the heads-up. Seems Jodi had a bugger of a week. She lost a horse and Rocky’s still crook.”
“Poor Jodi. Sounds like she needs a break. Good thing it’s Sunday,” Charlie said, thankful that she could focus on something other than her own challenges.
“That’s exactly what Cole figured. But you know Jodi. It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is. Her patients are always foremost in her mind.”
“I do. I’ve seen it first-hand. Well, good. Between the bushland, some hiking, and Big Bird’s release, let’s see if we can’t get her mind off things for a while.”
When Pip winked at her, Charlie knew Jodi wasn’t the only one who needed some deflection and distraction.
Charlie slid the empty raptor cage into the back of the truck. She secured it by clipping the floor-mounted straps onto each side. They’d made this cage especially for Big Bird, although it would prove useful for any large birds they cared for in future. The exterior was lined with dark shade cloth to decrease the amount of light entering, to keep the bird quiet. A second layer of cloth on the inside also protected flight feathers in the event the bird panicked and tried to fly around inside.
The crunching of gravel pulled her attention to the driveway. Jodi’s Land Rover slowly crept down the drive. Charlie waved and smiled when Jodi flashed the lights in acknowledgement. When the vehicle came to a stop, Charlie walked over and opened the driver’s door.
“Hi, stranger.”
Jodi offered her a tired smile. Dark circles hung below her eyes and her face was pale and drawn. Her shirt hung from her fit body.
“Pip’s in the house making us a lunch to eat on the way. Why don’t you go on in and see if you can mooch a cuppa and a biccy off her.”
“Thanks. I’ll take you up on the coffee.”
“Good. I’ll be right in.”
Jodi nodded and slid out of the truck. Her shoulders seemed to curl over her chest as she rubbed at her arms.
Charlie pulled Jodi into a side hug. “Hey, sorry about the past few days. I heard it’s been rough.”
“Mm. Ta.” Jodi gently brushed Charlie away and walked to the house.
Charlie frowned. This was certainly not the vibrant Jodi she knew. Her eyes had lost the mischievous sparkle continually born of a bright smile. Jodi looked emotionally drained and Charlie could only hope Pip could bring some light back into their friend.
While Pip and Jodi were in the house, Charlie walked down to the aviary. Big Bird chirped a greeting when he saw her coming. His high perch gave him ample view of the house. His new gold leg band from National Parks and Wildlife winked in the sun.
She made a slight detour and brought out his hood and some
mice for him to eat. He’d have a lot to take in once he was on his own. A full crop would give him one less concern. The eagle flew down to his eating perch and started gobbling down the mice. While he fed, she sat with her back against the wall and watched him.
He hadn’t really grown any since he’d been in her care. When Cole had rescued him from the side of the road, he’d been nearly full-grown. But his plumage had gone from mid-brown in colour with a reddish brown head and wings, to a richer, darker chocolate. He would become progressively blacker for at least the next ten years until he was mostly a dark blackish-brown.
Charlie got to her feet when he swallowed the last one. He spread his two-metre long wings and flapped them gently.
“Okay, big boy. This is the last time you’ll ever have to wear this thing.” She put the leather hood over his head. He ruffled his feathers into place and settled. She slid her hand into a thick leather glove, pulled the tether between her fingers, and pushed gently against his belly until he stepped up onto her arm.
Pip, Jodi, and Chilli were already waiting in the ute. She walked to the back, set him on the perch, then quietly closed the door and the back of the ute.
“Doing okay, love?” Pip handed her a sandwich when she slid into the passenger seat.
“Yep. Let’s get this over with before I change my mind and keep him.”
“Oh no, you don’t!” Pip clutched her heart. “That would mean I would have to take care of him when you fly off someplace.”
Charlie grinned. “It wouldn’t be that hard. You’d just have to put up with him dive-bombing you when you brought him his mice.”
“Uh-huh. Not exactly my idea of fun.”
Charlie laughed. “Sook. Where’s your sense of adventure?” She turned around in her seat. “Jodi, why don’t you ride up here? You know the route better than either of us.”
“Nah. I’m okay back here. I’ll tell you where to turn or whatever.” Jodi’s voice was flat and quiet.
“I think she thinks Chilli is better company than we are, babe.” Pip reached back and ruffled Chilli’s neck.
From Ashby, they followed the Pacific Highway through Maclean and south to Grafton, where they turned onto the Gwydir Highway. The road wound through mostly thick bush and some forested paddocks.
“You’ll want to hang a left, just up here on Purgatory Trail,” Jodi said.
Charlie grimaced a little. “That’s kind of an ominous name.”
Fittingly the asphalt road ended as Pip turned left onto the oddly named dirt road. Several eastern grey kangaroos watched them go by from the shade of some very large gum trees.
The rough road narrowed the further they went. From time to time branches scraped the truck’s sides making screeching sounds of various pitches as they swept past. The ground fell away to the right and rose sharply to the left, giving it a no-turning-back feel. Pip’s knuckles blanched to white as she clung to the steering wheel.
Charlie thought the road was more of a path, dubious and uncertain, winding back and forth on itself. It led them along a ridge of high bluffs. Through the trees, far below, the sun reflected brightly off the surface of nameless meandering streams.
Finally they came down off the mountain ridgeline and heavily forested escarpments. The trees thinned before opening up to a flat grassy plain.
Pip let the truck drift to a stop. “Wow. This is remote.”
Charlie realized that none of them had spoken a word the entire drive in. “I’ll say.”
“It’s ideal for your budgie.” Jodi opened her door and got out. She raised her face to the sun and took a deep breath.
Charlie caught Pip’s eye and smiled. It was perfect for Big Bird, and if Jodi’s reaction was anything to go by, it was exactly what Jodi needed too.
Chilli whined to be allowed out.
“Go ahead, bub.” Pip took an apple from the console and bit into it.
Chilli bounded out and raced around to the driver’s side. She sat down quickly, wagged her tail, and smiled in the classic Labrador style.
Charlie opened up the back of the ute. Big Bird appeared to have made the trip fine. To her relief, he sat secure on his perch with not one ruffled feather.
“Okay, my dear boy, it’s showtime for you.” She slid the protective glove on and opened the cage. When she held her hand against his lower breast, he calmly stepped onto her forearm.
Charlie came around the side of the truck. Pip gave her a reassuring smile. Jodi shaded her eyes against the sun and leaned against the front of the truck.
Taking a deep breath, Charlie walked a fair distance into what she figured was the middle of the field. Her chest tightened and heaviness settled in her stomach. She loved this bird. If only she could think of a better way. No. Big Bird deserved to be released back into his wild world. This is what they had all worked so hard to achieve—his release. It wouldn’t be fair to keep him in captivity. Nor would it be fair to Pip, who would be tasked with caring for him while she left the country on these stupid immigration related trips. This was the next big step. For both of them.
Charlie removed the tether from his leg before loosening the ties of the hood and sliding it off his head.
Big Bird looked around, clearly assessing his surroundings. He cocked his head and peered into the sky.
“This is it, big guy. It’s time.” Charlie felt the familiar burn behind her eyes and blinked. She wanted to see him fly away with clear sight, not blurred by tears.
The eagle crouched as if to take off. He spread his wings slightly and seemed to reconsider. He ruffled his feathers and tail and settled, apparently content to sit on Charlie’s arm.
She waited several minutes, the muscles in her arm burning from holding his weight. Suddenly, in a burst of power, Big Bird pushed off. His flight feathers stretched like fingers reaching for the sky. In ten heavy flaps, he rose. Each metre he gained in altitude made it easier for him to get his heavy body higher and higher on slow, powerful wing beats. He rose until he was soaring with ease, circling on an afternoon thermal. In a few minutes, the wedge-tailed eagle became but a speck in the sky before finally disappearing amongst the clouds.
Charlie turned around and there was Pip right behind her. “I feel like a part of me is gone.”
“It is, sweet. It’s on the wing in that wide-open sky. Exactly where he was born to be, thanks to you.”
“You look like you caught some sun on your face today. It suits you.” Cole crossed her arms and leaned against one of the surgery’s side countertops, as she supervised Popcorn consuming her dinner meal.
Jodi put her hands to her face and felt the still warm flush on her cheeks from an afternoon spent in the sun. As much as she hated to admit it, Cole had been right sending her away for the day. Although still physically tired from too many nights of poor sleep, her mind and body felt a lot more relaxed and peaceful.
After Charlie’s eagle had been released, the trio spent a couple of hours hiking along one of the short pathways near a picnic spot that Jodi had trekked before. An avid bushwalking enthusiast, Jodi knew the area reasonably well and enjoyed not only the physical outlet of the hike but also sharing it with friends. They spotted who they thought was Big Bird a couple of times. But who knew? It could’ve been another eagle. Nevertheless, it had been a most enjoyable and successful day. And she felt much better for it.
“I had a lovely day. Thank you for bullying me into it.”
“I wouldn’t have had to resort to such tactics if you’d given in earlier. As my karani Heke would say, You are too stubborn for your own good.”
“Who?”
“My granny, Heke. She helped raise me. She was a good judge of character.”
“I take it karani is Maori for grandmother?”
“Where I come from, it is. As with a lot of cultures, including the aboriginals here in Australia, words differ across the tribes and where you come from.”
Jodi pondered Cole’s statement. Language was such a diverse and complex thing t
he world over. She had never really given it much thought. “Do you miss it?”
Cole picked up Popcorn’s empty dinner bowl and rinsed it in the sink. “What? My grandmother, or New Zealand?”
“Both.”
“Yes and no. I love Australia. I can’t imagine going back to New Zealand to live. There are too many shadows there for me. I might go back one day, to visit, but this is my home now.”
Jodi nodded. She knew of Cole’s largely absentee parents, and that she had been raised by her elderly grandparents who had since passed on.
“And of course I miss my grandparents. But I carry a piece of them with me, always.” A soft, sweet smile stole across Cole’s face at the mention of her grandparents. A twinge of envy pinged briefly in Jodi’s chest as she found herself captured by the serenity and beauty of Cole as she spoke so lovingly.
Cole picked up Popcorn and returned her to her cage next to Rocky. “You do know you’re staring, don’t you?”
“Huh? What?” Jodi checked herself. “Sorry. Been a long day.”
“Uh-huh.”
Jodi didn’t quite know what to make of Cole’s remark. The phone rang and saved her from any further mildly uncomfortable analysis. “I’ll get that.” She answered the phone. “Hello, Jodi Bowman.” Jodi ran a hand through her hair. “Hi, Roger. I was just going to give you a call. I figured you’d want an update on Rocky.” Jodi strolled over to Rocky’s chart and read through it while she made small talk with Roger. Scanning over the results, Jodi steeled herself for what she needed to say next. “Are you doing anything tonight? Would you like to come in and see him? I know he’d love to see you…All right. I’ll see you then.” Jodi disengaged the call. Her heart felt heavy for Roger’s sake.
“When will he be here?”
“In an hour.”
“Then come on upstairs with me and I’ll whip us up some dinner.”
Precipice of Doubt Page 7