Read Online The Bird Saviors by William J. Cobb - Free Book Online
Authors: William J. Cobb
Tags: Science-Fiction
up.
    Cole nods, his squint tightening. Is that what you call it? Fixed? I got one leg is what I got.
    I should be going, says Elray. I was just here to hope she was feeling better.
    Not so fast, Officer, says Cole. Let me ask you something. Am I right to assume you did not serve in the military?
    Not me. Elray shakes his head.
    And can you tell me why?
    I guess I didn't think it was the right thing to do.
    You guess.
    An expression. I didn't join. Let's leave it at that.
    You are an officer of the law, says Cole. I see this and I will give it what it's due. But please could you tell me what my daughter's hospital room has to do with any crime or criminal behavior?
    He pauses. No one moves. The nurse has disappeared. Cole breathes loudly through his nose, as if Elray were an annoyance and he a giant. I was under the impression that she was to see direct family members only, he adds.
    Elray tells who he is, what he's done. How he found her in the manger, cold and sick in the snow. I just wanted to make sure she was okay. I heard she was better.
    She's been here long enough, says her father. I'm taking her home. We thank you for your concern and ask that you now move your concern to other, more dangerous citizens of this county.
    Daddy, where's Lila?
    I got the Johnson woman down the road to come babysit for a few hours. She'll be fine.
    Ruby glances at Elray and says, He didn't mean anythingâ
    My daughter needs to dress and prepare herself. In the interests of modesty, you best be leaving.
    Elray nods and backs away, bumping into the nurse.
    She shoos both of them and tells Ruby's father to leave her be. She says Ruby can't be moved yet. This young lady is still running a fever, says the nurse. Plus the virus might still be contagious. She is not ready to be released. No way nohow.
    Nonsense, says Cole. We'll care for her. She'll recover with her family, where she should be in the first place.
    I'm going to get the physician in charge.
    Do what you want. As will I. I'm her father and she does what I say.
    Elray steps closer to Ruby, watching her face. I think the nurse is right, he says. She should stay a couple more days, till the fever's gone.
    I don't need a yellowbelly to tell me what to do. You may wear a badge and carry a gun, but you are not telling me how to raise my daughter.
    The girl is sick, says Elray, and she needs time and care to get better. It's not a matter of raising her.
    Yes, it is. I'm raising her out of this bed and taking her home.
    Cole reaches over the bed and tries to gather Ruby in his arms, but the IV tubes and stand are still connected at her wrists. They tangle as he lifts her to his chest, the stand flopping over onto the bed.
    Put your daughter down, says Elray. I can arrest you and charge you with endangering the welfare of a child.
    You wouldn't.
    Try me.
    She's a child no more, says Cole. My daughter has a child of her own. And her baby girl is in need of her attention.
    The doctor comes and tells both of them to lower their voices. You can take her home, Mr. Cole, he says. In due time. First we're going to get some test results back and make sure she's good to travel. Just be sure to keep her warm and watch that temperature. Keep feeding her liquids. She might need to stay in bed a week or more.
    I'll do that, says Lord God. She's my daughter and I'll lay down my life for her. He stares at Elray and adds, Now I think we've had enough law enforcement for the day.
W a r d  C o s t e
    Cole nods, his squint tightening. Is that what you call it? Fixed? I got one leg is what I got.
    I should be going, says Elray. I was just here to hope she was feeling better.
    Not so fast, Officer, says Cole. Let me ask you something. Am I right to assume you did not serve in the military?
    Not me. Elray shakes his head.
    And can you tell me why?
    I guess I didn't think it was the right thing to do.
    You guess.
    An expression. I didn't join. Let's leave it at that.
    You are an officer of the law, says Cole. I see this and I will give it what it's due. But please could you tell me what my daughter's hospital room has to do with any crime or criminal behavior?
    He pauses. No one moves. The nurse has disappeared. Cole breathes loudly through his nose, as if Elray were an annoyance and he a giant. I was under the impression that she was to see direct family members only, he adds.
    Elray tells who he is, what he's done. How he found her in the manger, cold and sick in the snow. I just wanted to make sure she was okay. I heard she was better.
    She's been here long enough, says her father. I'm taking her home. We thank you for your concern and ask that you now move your concern to other, more dangerous citizens of this county.
    Daddy, where's Lila?
    I got the Johnson woman down the road to come babysit for a few hours. She'll be fine.
    Ruby glances at Elray and says, He didn't mean anythingâ
    My daughter needs to dress and prepare herself. In the interests of modesty, you best be leaving.
    Elray nods and backs away, bumping into the nurse.
    She shoos both of them and tells Ruby's father to leave her be. She says Ruby can't be moved yet. This young lady is still running a fever, says the nurse. Plus the virus might still be contagious. She is not ready to be released. No way nohow.
    Nonsense, says Cole. We'll care for her. She'll recover with her family, where she should be in the first place.
    I'm going to get the physician in charge.
    Do what you want. As will I. I'm her father and she does what I say.
    Elray steps closer to Ruby, watching her face. I think the nurse is right, he says. She should stay a couple more days, till the fever's gone.
    I don't need a yellowbelly to tell me what to do. You may wear a badge and carry a gun, but you are not telling me how to raise my daughter.
    The girl is sick, says Elray, and she needs time and care to get better. It's not a matter of raising her.
    Yes, it is. I'm raising her out of this bed and taking her home.
    Cole reaches over the bed and tries to gather Ruby in his arms, but the IV tubes and stand are still connected at her wrists. They tangle as he lifts her to his chest, the stand flopping over onto the bed.
    Put your daughter down, says Elray. I can arrest you and charge you with endangering the welfare of a child.
    You wouldn't.
    Try me.
    She's a child no more, says Cole. My daughter has a child of her own. And her baby girl is in need of her attention.
    The doctor comes and tells both of them to lower their voices. You can take her home, Mr. Cole, he says. In due time. First we're going to get some test results back and make sure she's good to travel. Just be sure to keep her warm and watch that temperature. Keep feeding her liquids. She might need to stay in bed a week or more.
    I'll do that, says Lord God. She's my daughter and I'll lay down my life for her. He stares at Elray and adds, Now I think we've had enough law enforcement for the day.
W a r d  C o s t e
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