For a short period immediately after fledging, a female will tolerate the presence of her own young at the feeder, but they are soon treated the same as other adult birds - rivals in pursuit of the food necessary to prepare for the fall migration.
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As soon as Portia arrived at home, she planned to immediately change out of her damp clothes and take a long, hot shower. However, her mother had different plans.
“Portia, I need you to find something for me on the Internet.”
“What is it?”
“Find out how someone could adopt their grandchild.”
“You don’t want to adopt Penny, do you?”
“I never thought anybody was taking proper care of her – especially not Ramona.”
“What about Alex?”
“Alex is too busy with work.”
“I can help him,” said Portia.
“You’ve got school and singing.”
“I can make time for Penny.”
“You don’t know how to care for an infant.”
“I’ve babysat Penny before.”
“This is not the same thing.”
“Anyway, I think you should check with Alex.”
“She’s my grandchild, Portia.”
Portia glanced at her father. Mr. Gatteau shrugged his shoulders.
“Let me check the Internet before you tell anyone else about this.”
Portia went upstairs to change her clothes. In the short time she was in the shower, Alex came home and Mrs. Gatteau had already confronted him about adoption.
“Ma, you can’t adopt Penny.”
“Give me one good reason.”
Alex carefully handed Penny to Portia. Portia cradled Penny in her arms as her brother and mother fought.
“Ramona is getting welfare checks for Penny. If the Government finds out I’m the father, I’ll be paying Child Support.”
“Then pay Child Support. It’s your baby.”
“Ma, why do you always have to do this?”
“Do what?”
“Get into my business. You just can’t leave well enough alone.”
“If you had left Ramona alone, you wouldn’t be in this mess.”
“I’ve got it under control, just don’t butt in where you’re not wanted.”
“What did you say? How dare you speak back to me when you’re living under my roof? If I wasn’t such a good mother I would kick you right back out on the street.”
Alex exhaled sharply, but otherwise held his tongue. He motioned to Portia, who followed him downstairs.
“Ahh! She is so hard-headed!”
“Alex, weren’t you the one who told me not to let her bully me around?”
“This is not the same,” said Alex.
“No?”
“Not at all. She’s not bullying me. She’s just nosing her way into my life.”
“You can’t let her get under your skin like that.”
“I know,” said Alex, “but who knows what Social Services would do if they found out about this?”
Alex collapsed in his bed while Portia rocked Penny to sleep. She tucked Penny in bed and then went upstairs.
The next morning, she was the first awake. She went to the basement and woke Alex.
“Hey, I’d like to take care of Penny today.”
“How are you going to do that?”
“Today’s an ‘in-session day’ for teachers. We don’t have school.”
“I guess it’s okay.”
“I’m taking Penny to library.”
“Just be safe with her.”
“I will.”
Portia prepared her backpack, setting her books aside and filling it with a small folder, some diapers, and bottles of baby formula.
“Is there anything else I need?”
“I’d take lots of baby wipes.”
Portia added baby wipes and two fresh washcloths for good measure. She dressed Penny and loaded her into the papoose. Now, Portia was ready to go.
“See you tonight.”
“Yea sis, see you tonight.”
Alex kissed his sister and daughter on the forehead and saw them out the door. Portia walked to the bus stop and waited just a short time. She paid her fare and sat down. Penny lay limp on Portia’s chest. Her hot, wet breath tickled Portia’s neck. Portia relaxed in her seat, watching the on-looking strangers smile at them.
“She’s so beautiful. Is she yours?”
“Heavens no!” exclaimed Portia, “She belongs to me older brother. I’m just watching her for the day.”
“That’s so sweet.”
“I hope so,” said Portia.
“Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium,” said the public address system.
The bus stopped right at the front gate. Portia jumped off and walked to the admissions gate.
“I’m looking for Human Resources.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“Um…”
“Did you apply yet?”
“I’m applying now.”
“You have to apply online.”
“I can’t apply here?”
The cashier shook her head.
“I guess I’ll take the next bus home.”
“They only come once an hour.”
Portia stood there for a moment. She felt stupid for not planning better. She didn’t check the website. She didn’t let her fingers do the walking. She turned and looked toward the Park Entrance. It was about a half-mile away, so she started walking.
Penny awakened from all the jostling.
“I’m sorry I didn’t plan better.”
Penny started crying. Portia pulled Penny out of the papoose and carried her as she hiked towards the entrance. Penny bawled louder and louder.
“This isn’t going to work, is it?”
Portia returned to the bus stop and sat on a bench. In just a few minutes, Penny was fast asleep.
Penny boarded the bus again. This time, she was headed back home. She stopped one stop before her own and got out. She headed toward a small veterinary clinic standing at the end of the road.
“Are you accepting applications?” she asked the administrative assistant.
“Yes, in fact, we are. The doctor is looking for someone to fill my job.”
“Is it hard?”
“You can type and use a computer, right?”
Portia nodded.
“Then it’s simple.”
Portia unloaded Penny onto the chair beside her as she filled out the application. A tall, slender female with shoulder length brown hair came to the front desk. She talked to the receptionist in hushed tones before approaching Portia.
“I’m Dr. Ulrich. You are?”
“Hi, I’m Portia.”
“Do you have any experience in Vet clinics?”
“No, but I want to be an ornithologist.”
The doctor tilted his head and glanced at Portia over thetop edge of his bifocals.
“Hmm. Are you going to Pitt?”
“Oh no, I’m a senior in high school.”
“Oh.”
“But I graduate this June.”
“Okay, just fill out your application and I’ll take a look.”
Dr. Ulrich returned to the back office while Portia finished her paperwork.
“Here it is,” she said as she returned the finished application to the clerk.
“I’ll put in a good word for you,” said theclerk.
“Thanks.”
Portia did not have a good feeling as she walked home. Penny was wide-awake. So was Mrs. Gatteau, who was sitting in the living room, smoking a cigarette and watching soap operas.
“Where have you been?”
“I went to the Zoo and the Vet Clinic looking for jobs.”
“And you took Penny?”
“You weren’t up and I told Alex I’d watch her today.”
“It’s too cold outside for an infant.”
“She was fine.”
Mrs. Gatteau held her fingers against Penny’s cheek.
“She’s got windburn. Here, let me have her.”
Mrs. Gatteau took Penny upstairs, where she grabbed a fresh washcloth from the linen cabinet. She rinsed the washcloth in cool water and then rubbed it over the child's cheeks. Penny cooed at Mrs. Gatteau. However, Mrs. Gatteau did not return the sentiment. Instead, she picked up the phone and dialed Ramona's number.
"Hello?"
"Hello? Ramona?"
"Yeah."
"I've got your daughter here in my hands."
"Mrs. Gatteau? Why do you have her?"
"Because my son is working." It was not ret just a statement of fact, but a direct dig at Ramona, who Mrs. Gatteau considered unworthy of either Alex or Penny.
"Bring her here."
"You have no business demanding that. She's staying right here where she's safe."
"How dare you say that."
"In fact, I'm going to see what I can do to keep her here with me."
"She's my baby. You bring her here right now."
'No, Ramona, I'm not doing any such thing. She's staying right here with her true family.”
With that, Ramona hung up her phone and arrived at the Gatteau’s door within ten minutes. She pounded on the front door and Portia answered. Ramona was there with her cousin Jimmy and another friend.
“Where’s Alex?” she demanded.
“You know he’s at work.”
“Where’s my baby?”
Mrs. Gatteau came to the front door, with Penny in her arms.
“Since when did she become your baby? I haven’t seen you take care of her since the day she was born. I’m going to call Children’s Services tomorrow.”
“Don’t you dare!”
Ramona knew that if Mrs. Gatteau started poking around, it would create all kinds of problems for all kinds of people. Ramona would lose her apartment, her WIC Card, and she’d probably go to jail. However, she did have an ace up the sleeve; Alex would go to jail, too. He would probably be forced to repay all the money to both her and the government.
In the end, Penny, the unconsidered commodity, could end up in anyone’s hands – even the court’s. Ramona did not think of that, though. She only thought of herself.
“if you try to take my baby away from me, you’ll pay!”
Jimmy pulled Ramona towards the car. She fought him all the way.
“What a mess!” said Mrs. Gatteau, “Now I think I’m definitely going to Children’s Services first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Mom, you should just leave Alex and Penny alone.”
“I can’t do that. After all, I’m looking out for Penny’s best interest.”
Portia took her schoolwork and went upstairs. She did not open a single book. Instead, she just went to bed and tried to forget about everything under the sun.
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