Jake breathed in the fresh cold damp air. His lungs were more used to stale scents of sweat and city smoke. He liked coming here to the park where he could have space to himself. To hear his own internal voice clearer, far away from the street distractions and raised voices of arguments. Life was full on and in your face in his city, and everyone lived at a fast pace. His mind couldn't keep up, he needed time to absorb the changes, and this bench he thought of as his. His breath plumed out in front of him as he scowled angrily. Nobody ever approached or tried to take a seat next to him, as if they'd dare. So he was mighty peeved when a large black crow landed in a tree nearby and started making a racket.

At first Jake was just angry. It was his natural state since losing his job. Life's pressures were bad enough, but the endless rejections he kept getting were just corroding his self-worth. At some interviews they were outright rude, they didn't even want to hear what he had to say. Maybe it was his attitude, but he had precious little going for him at the moment. He found it hard to fake or force a smile when he really wasn't feeling it. The bird was getting on his nerves, he'd come here for a quiet getaway. He picked up a couple of acorns and threw them.He was near enough, the thing cocked its head then flew a bit further away, still watching but from a safer distance. The din was fainter, better, Jake got back to his sulking.

The carrion bird was used to being the victim of haters. People often shooed him away from their bird feeders or
out of their gardens. Being black didn't help, being big less so, and having a grating cawing sound for a voice got on most of the flightless two-leg's nerves. So when the kid started throwing stuff at him Eewar knew the drill. Back off and retreat to safer ground. But the kid was at his favourite perch in the park. He often came to sing here and checkout the perspective mates. He'd preen his feathers in the sunshine having dipped in the fountain nearby. Not today though. Some kid took his bench and was in a threatening mood. Eewar could tell, he'd seen the signs before and the acorn at his head was a dead giveaway.

So Eewar watched the flightless quietly from a higher branch two trees over. He could still see the sharp expressions on the kid's face, mean like a raven or gull protecting it's food. Shoulders hunched, eyes alert and deeply mistrusting, stance coiled ready to pick a fight. Many of the adolescent birds in his murder often had the same look, ready to start a fight with the world if they stepped out of line. If they kept pushing and pushing and stepping too far, other crows will gather and decide it's fate. Eewar wasn't a violent bird, but he'd seen many doling out their interpretation of justice. Mob rule wasn't his thing. So he watched the flightless a while and slowly, quietly, he dared edge nearer.

Jake wasn't in the mood. That stupid crow was giving him the evil eye, nasty thing. He pretended to ignore it. The world was hard for him to navigate. No family and few friends, he was trying to mull over who might know of a suitable position. He was getting desperate as his small savings wouldn't cover next month's rent. His head fell into his hands and he watched the ants at his feet in their own struggles. They were all over an apple core, damn ants, he kicked it away.

The crow tilted his head. He knew the ravens and gulls bigger than he often swooped and pushed things or threatened in an intimidating manner to get their way. He'd willingly share the bench with the flightless if it wasn't so moody. One quick move and a crow could be seriously damaged. It must be hard for the flightless Eewar thought, and to show he felt some solidarity with its plight he leapt off his perch and down to where the apple core had landed. He looked up checking the kid wasn't on its feet, then he squawked in appreciation and started to eat.

"Stupid bird," Jake grumbled,"doesn't know what's good for it. And he waved his arms about to frighten it away. He just wanted to be left alone, left to his silence and misery. The hum of the traffic behind the line of trees muffled the angry hoots and horns of vehicles, but the rumble was still evident. It irked Jake that nowhere in this city was completely soundless. The damn black bird was calling again, pecking hard and fast at the rotting fruit. He waved his arms again wider and harder.
"Get the hint friend, scram!"

"How curious is Man," thought Eewar. But he supposed he too would be perpetually upset if he had been born without the ability to fly. When birds in flocks were hurt they didn't last long, and those with damaged wings even shorter. He could see the kid trying to fly unsuccessfully. It was too big and cumbersome, it would only ever be ground-bound. It could run, it would have that at least, but Eewar felt kind of bad for the poor beast. So he did what any brave and curious carrion bird would, he took a chance and flew nearer. And from one bench away he issued his encouragement.

Jake smiled. The sheer audacity of the thing. It flew nearer and was making more of a din than before he'd launched his acorns. He loved the cocky bravado and cheek. He shuffled on his bench trying to twist round to watch it, but at the same time trying to feign indifference. He wondered where the other birds were, perhaps this crow knew and felt his pain. But he didn't care, he needed peace and quiet to try to sort his problems. He can't be having with distraction. He turned his back on it. Ignore it. Stupid bird.

Eewar was perplexed. The flightless was ruffling itself like a bird on the nest, all haughty indignation and indifference. It wouldn't leave the cosy spot, but it didn't want others to share in the delights of a good perch. Most birds took turns. Crows were intelligent, they knew patience often yields its own rewards, so he waited and watched. When the Man child turned his back, Eewar had seen it all before. He'd raised three broods over his years, and all acted this way right before they flew the nest. They needed reassurance, to know they won't be alone. That they are loved. So as a compassionate bird, he once again bravely got nearer. He flew to the side of the human. It was a dangerous thing to do, and he recognised the warning signs of a bigger more unpredictable creature than he. He was cautious, his legs were poised for an upward kick off and launch just in case.

Jake smiled again. Damn bird. "Stupid," he said without looking round. He could hear the bird sharpening its beak on the warm wooden bench next to him.
"I'm not gonna look around if that's what you're after." Jake didn't need the attention seeking bird, he was to be here concentrating on his own problems.
"Awkkk," went Eewar. Just softly, just enough to soothe the flightless if it had had ruffled feathers. Poor beast, it must be awful not being able to take to the air. Eewar took a step nearer in sympathy and didn't flinch when the thing started ever so slowly to turn.

The crow was looking eye to eye with the Man. They were so ugly and large. It couldn't help being so down, any bird would be without a beak and feathers. The thing ever so slowly reached out and stroked itself against his body. It was surprisingly warm Eewar thought, and gentle. And Jake was amazed at the softness of the feathers. The birds plumage had an iridescent quality despite the blackness. The long intimidating sharp beak was fearsome, but yet the bird held his gaze and didn't peck.

The two sat at their bench for a
long time. Eewar knew adolescents need time and love, reassurance and bonding. No bird, whether flightless or not can do it all on their own. Jake meanwhile, he found the unusual friendship rather soothing and before he knew it he'd completely forgotten his woes. The sun shone, and he and his friend sat in amicable silence. The trees moved with the wind, leaves fell and squirrels went about their business hiding their food stores. Both watched with a contentedness. And when Jake finally rose to leave, it was a testament to their bond that Eewar didn't immediately take to the air.

"I gotta go now stupid bird," said Jake. He felt so much better. Nature was so beautiful, even the ugly and annoying. He smiled again.
"Awkk," beamed Eewar. Which translated means "I told you so," in Crow. He could see the flightless had relaxed and wasn't as tense. It was just like an overgrown fledgling. He watched it going, the awkwardness of its gait having to walk everywhere. Poor thing. He squawked a goodbye and Man child turned about and waved one featherless limb in the air.
"It's still my bench!" Eewar taunted laughing and squawking at his new friend. The sun was starting to go down, he'd best be getting back to roost for the night.
As he passed over Jake watched Eewar disappear into the beautiful setting sun and the colourful skies and thought.
"It must be wonderful to fly." He smiled, felt lifted himself and knew tomorrow is another day. Perhaps an even better one.


© .Garry Saunders