Chapter 17

Back in Minnesota, George and Gladys were discussing what they were going to do about Maria. “She just needs more time, George,” Gladys said. “She’ll get over Hector someday. All we need to do is be nice to her and be patient.”

“But if she doesn’t find a mate soon, it will be too late,” George argued. “What bird is going to want to mate with a two year old Robin who thinks the world is round and worships a bird who was crazy enough to try and fly around the world.”

“Now George, it’s not that bad,” Gladys cautioned. “If you don’t go making a mountain out of an ant hill, this whole thing will be over soon. Instead of getting all excited, why don’t you go talk to your friend Ralph about it.”

“Ralph ain’t no friend of mine. If I hadn’t of talked to Ralph in the first place then this would have been over a long time ago. It’s Ralph’s son that’s causing all the problems. All of Ralph and Martha’s chicks turn out bad and that Hector is no exception.”

“Now George,” Gladys said, “you know that’s not true. Why you know yourself that Ralph and Martha have raised some of the nicest Robins in the flock. Why if it hadn’t of been for Hector, our Maria would have never made the migration back north. He saved our Maria’s life.”

“Did I hear someone mention my name?” Maria chirped as she landed on a near-by limb.

“You sure did,” her father said sternly. “It’s time you...”

“George,” Her mother warned, interrupting him, “if you say so much as one mean word I’ll make you sleep in the bushes for the next month, and you’ll have to do all the hunting for the babies as I will refuse to leave the nest. Do you understand me?”

“I’m going hunting,” George mumbled as he flew away.

“What’s Daddy mad about?” Maria asked.

“Oh honey,” her mother answered. “He’s just worried about Hector.”

“What, has Daddy heard something? Is Hector okay?”

“I’m sure Hector’s fine, Dear. It’s just that your Daddy is concerned that Hector might not come back and he won’t get any grand chicks, that’s all.”

“But Hector will come back,” Maria said.

“But Honey,” her mother asked, “what if he doesn’t come back? What if something happens to him?”

“Hector will come back!” Maria shouted. “You tell Daddy to leave Hector alone or I’ll... I’ll... I’ll never sing for Daddy again.”

“Oh Dear, you wouldn’t do that, would you? That would just kill your father. You know he loves to hear you sing more than any other bird in the forest.”

“I’ll never sing again!” Maria shouted as she flew away. “Tell Daddy, I mean it!”