Ruby

Mr. Gourd laid flat on the couch watching T.V. as he heard the doorbell ring. Cindy rushed from the kitchen towards the door.

“Hey, how are you,” said Peter with a bird’s cage in his hand, as he hugged Cindy. His wife and a seven-year-old son, Kevin, stood behind with their baggage.

Cindy invited them in as Mr. Gourd rubber necked to see what was going on.

“Grandpa,” said Kevin as he ran towards Mr. Gourd and gave him a hug.

“Oh, my dear Kevin. I wish you never ever got old.”

“Why, grandpa?”

“Well, when you get older, you will get grumpy, and I won’t get a hug from you.”

“That won’t happen. I will always give a hug.”

Kevin’s mother walked to them and said, “Hey dad, how is your leg?”

“Doctor said it’s fractured. Little the movement, sooner I get better.”

“Kevin, take this bird with you,” yelled Peter from a distance. Kevin ran towards peter and grabbed the cage. He then freed the bird.

“Is that a bird or a flying rat?” said Mr. Gourd as everybody laughed.

“Grandpa, don’t say that to my friend,” said Kevin.

“A friend?”

“Yes, a friend. And you guys will now be friends too.”

Mr. Gourd laughed and replied, “I’m afraid that will not happen.”

Kevin’s mom added, “Actually, dad, we cannot take the bird with us.”

“No, no, no… don’t say a word further. I know where this is going,” said Mr. Gourd.

“Dad, it’s for one night only.”

“I’m not good at taking care of these things. I don’t like these things. Forget about it.”

“Please dad, for Kevin,” said Kevin’s mom, putting on her innocent face.

“Do you see this bandage on my leg? I can hardly take care of myself, how can I take care of this thing.”

“It’s just a bird, dad. Don’t be overdramatic.” She smirked. “Cindy, get ready, we are getting late,” she yelled.

Cindy made sure Mr. Gourd had everything in an easily reachable distance before they all left for the vacation. It was Mr. Gourd, the bird and the empty house. Mr. Gourd watched T.V. for hours as bird sat on the table near him and watched along.

“What kind of bird are you? And why do you look like a rat?” Mr. Gourd mumbled.

The bird flew and sat on Mr. Gourd’s leg. He raised his leg, trying to kick the bird as he yelled, “Get off my leg, you stupid bird.” Unfortunately, it was his fractured leg. He closed his eyes as he felt the pain from his leg to his head. He grabbed a couple of painkillers from the table nearby and chewed them. After a few gulps of water and few minutes of rest, he felt normal again.

It was time for dinner and Cindy had left cereals and a bowl of fruit near him. He poured some milk and cereals in the bowl and started eating while watching T.V. The bird that was so much interested in the T.V. few hours back, was now staring at Mr. Gourd, as he ate.

“What are you looking at, stupid bird,” said Mr. Gourd as he continued eating. The bird kept on staring, and it made Mr. Gourd uncomfortable. “You are not getting any of my food,” he added. The bird flew and sat on Mr. Gourd’s shoulder and tried stuffing its face in the bowl of cereal he held. “Get off me, you stupid animal,” said Mr. Gourd as he waved it off. “They leave the bird for taken care of but they don’t leave its food?” He said to himself.

After a few hours of watching Mr. Gourd eat, the bird flew towards the kitchen. “Where the hell are you going?” yelled Mr. Gourd. He continued watching T.V. The bird did not fly back. He heard a sound coming from the kitchen. Mr. Gourd did not want to stand up and walk towards the kitchen on one foot, but the bird left him no choice. He grabbed on to the sofa, walls and everything he could reach as he somehow reached the kitchen. The bird was drinking water off the bowl in the kitchen basin. After filling its stomach with water, it flew towards the T.V. and continued watching.

The view Mr. Gourd saw in the kitchen basin flashedback some of his memories from the past. He was born in a poor family. His father died when the coalmine collapsed when he was very young. Mr. Gourd had no other choice but to work, earn, and take care of his widowed mother, at a very young age. There were days when he and his mother slept hungry because they had no food. They could not afford it. “Drink the water son, it will give some relief,” his mother used to say.

With eyes full of tears, Mr. Gourd slowly walked back to the couch. The bird got occupied with the show on T.V. The bird that was so annoying until a few minutes back, suddenly looked adorable. Mr. Gourd slowly reached to the bowl and poured cereals. He then crushed it into small pieces with the help of the spoon and place it on the table, near the bird. The bird ate while watching T.V.

Mr. Gourd flew above the clouds, holding on to the leg of a giant bird. The peak of the mountains that floated on the white clouds made a picturesque view. The fractured leg no longer had pain. “Take me higher, fly higher, birdie,” said Mr. Gourd before the doorbell woke him up. The couple of pills he took before going to sleep last night had done its job effectively. Mr. Gourd stood up and dragged himself towards the door. He unlocked the door as Kevin hugged him right away.

“Grandpa, please don’t tell me Ruby is dead.”

“What?” said Mr. Gourd, followed by a laughter.

“There she is,” said Kevin and ran towards the bird.

“You look confused. Ruby is the name of his bird,” added Kevin’s mother, followed by a smirk. She then hugged Mr. Gourd as he smiled back.

“So, how was the vacation?”

“It was great dad. We missed you. How was your night alone at the home?”

“Who said I was alone?” Mr. Gourd winked and gave a smile.