Lyndon

The pain in my leg was severe but it was nothing compared to the fear that shook within me. I had no idea where I was going and the bumpy car ride turned the throbbing in my leg to sharp, stabbing pains. It had hurt for so long—I can’t remember a time when it didn’t. Finally, the car stopped. I was picked up and taken into a building I’d never seen before. My heart was pounding and I struggled to free myself. I flapped my wings and fought against the hands that held me but I wasn’t strong enough.

I was carried to a room and put on a table.  Soft hands stroked my feathers and spoke soothing words.  My heart started to slow as I felt the gentle touch on my wings, my head and my good foot.  But when the other was touched, I squawked and pulled away.

“It looks like he’s broken it,” a woman’s voice said.  “But the bones have fused back together already.”

“But can you take him?”

“Yes, but he’ll have to quarantine first.  Can you keep him for a few weeks?”

A nod.

“What are you doing about his pain?”

“Pain?”

“Yes, the pain from his leg.  He’s in incredible pain.”

Silence

“I’ll give you something for him.  He needs it twice a day.”

I felt a sharp prick in my leg and in a few minutes, the pain started to go away.  I looked at the woman who’d been so kind to me.  Her smile was genuine.  I wanted to stay.  But I was picked back up and taken back on the long car ride.  For the next few weeks, I stayed there–not sure what would happen next.  Not sure what a quarantine was.  My leg was feeling better.  I was getting the medicine every day and it helped.  I could stand and walk better on my own.

One day, I was picked up again and taken back to the woman who’d spoken so kindly to me.  She put me in a crate with soft blankets and clean water.  I was fed every day and given fresh berries and yummy food.  She would take me outside in the grass where I could walk around a bit and feel the sunshine on my feathers.  I wasn’t frightened anymore.  The dark and painful places were becoming little more than memories.  I was happy–happier than I’d ever been.  

I don’t know how long I stayed there.  Whenever I was outside, I could hear other birds–other turkeys, calling out.  Did they know I was here?  I hadn’t been around other birds in a long time.  After several days, I was put back into a truck.  I was worried I was going back–back to the dark.  But then, I was taken out of the truck and placed in a pasture with the most strikingly handsome turkey I’d ever seen.  He came right up to me and started puffing up his chest.  His waddle turned red and his snood grew down below his beak.  He was very impressive.  And he seemed interested in me.  He called out to me, and I answered back,  His name was Mongo. And I just knew we were going to be friends.