A Partridge

And a Partridge!

by

B.D. Adams

©2016

   As Danny walked home from school in Rhode Island, this cold, January afternoon, he was moderately anticipating his birthday in a few weeks. He would become sixteen. Girls were “sweet sixteen.” What were boys? Sour Sixteen? He chuckled a little to himself.

   He didn’t care what they called it as long as he got his mom’s birthday pie! Danny always asked for pie instead of cake. Her cakes were good, but he preferred pie – lemon meringue pie!

   As he walked along with these thoughts, he drooled somewhat. He wiped his mouth with the back of his coat sleeve and softly smiled.

   He always walked alone. His younger sisters would walk/ride with friends and his brothers were older and had jobs. Two worked with their father in the plastics business. The others had positions in different businesses. And, when not working, they were in the garage working on their Hot-Rods.

   That was what Danny wanted – to be allowed to work on the Hot-Rods! He had a natural desire for that.

   When Danny was about 50 yards from his porch, he noticed there was “something” on the porch. Something not usual. It was definitely not the stack of newspapers for his route.

   When he was on the porch, he saw it was a bird, a bird larger than a dove, but much smaller than a hawk. It was dead.

   Directly, he went inside to unload his books, took his coat off and warmed up a bit. As soon as he would enter the house, he could smell the tantalization aromas of what supper would be that evening. He smelled beef stew and fresh baked bread. His mom was in the kitchen, so he went to her.

   “Hi, Mom,” Danny greeted warmer than his hands were, “Did you know there was a dead bird on the porch?”

   “No. What kind is it?” she asked after she wiped her hands on a dish towel. “I thought I heard something on the porch, but I paid it no mind. Thought it was ice coming off the roof.” She hugged him and kissed his cheek. His mom still treated him as if he was a

preschooler.

   He was glad she showed her love to him, but he was about to turn sixteen – he would be hanging more with his older brothers in the garage working on cars. They would now “allow” him more responsibility. That’s what he had prayed for every Sunday.  

   However, now he wanted to include his mom to check out this bird mystery!

   “I don’t know. I came in to put up my books,” he admitted.

   His mom grabbed her sweater as she followed him to the front door. Danny went out without a coat or sweater. He wanted to be tougher than his mother.

   Once outside, by the bird, Danny knelt beside and cautiously turned it over. Mother and son investigated the very still and frozen bird. The bird was definitely dead.

   “What do you think, Danny?” she queried.

   He pulled open a wing and then said, “I think it’s a partridge, the quail family.” He had self-studied some about bird species or breeds of mammals. He was a hunter, but not an avid hunter.

   “I’ll put it in a box and set it on the back porch. Ask Dad about it later.”

   It didn’t take long, the bird was boxed and on the enclosed back porch. His mom went back to the kitchen.

   Now, Danny had to hustle with his Paper-Route. He needed to get done before it got too dark!

===

   After supper, Danny told his dad what was on the back porch.

   His brother Bob, more curious than the other siblings, heard what Danny said to their dad. Dad followed his sons to see what was in the box on the back porch. They all knelt to the floor to better see inside the box.

   Again with care, Danny showed the deceased bird.

   All Bob said was, “Wow. Dead on the porch?”

   “You want Mom to cook it?” his dad asked.

   “Not big enough to eat. Do you think it’s a partridge? That’s what I think it is,” Danny offered.

   His father nodded his head and confirmed, “That’s what it is.”

   Danny was so pleased that he was correct. He felt even more adult. They went back inside.

   Bob had seen the mystery and went somewhere else. Dad and Danny were back in the kitchen, so Dad inquired, “Well, Danny … what do you want to do with your partridge?”

   His partridge? He really didn’t think of it as ‘his.’ “I dunno. What should I do? Bury it?”

   His father now chuckled slightly and suggested, “You could have it stuffed. We could put it on a wall. Probably in your room. Mom wouldn’t allow it in the living room or the parlor.” He chuckled a little more at this thought.

   Danny visualized the stuffed partridge on the wall in his room. It made him a little queasy – he remembered the movie, “Psycho.” Norman stuffed birds, which were seen in the little parlor of the motel’s office. Those thoughts didn’t last very long. Actually, he felt the poor bird deserved a nice, warm resting place.

   “Thanks, Dad. I’d like that idea,” Danny commented with his smile.

===

   Within a day or so, Danny’s dad found a taxidermist not far from them. So, on Saturday morning, Danny and his father went to this business.

   This was the first time Danny had to talk serious with a businessman. He wasn’t comfortable with what he should say or do. Thank goodness his dad was with him.

   “Yes, sir. I’m Raymond Tourigny and this is my son Daniel.” His father understood that this was new for his son. He treated his son with respect. After all, he called him Daniel, not Danny. “Go on … tell him what you want.”

   Nervously, Danny related, “I found this partridge dead on our porch. I didn’t shoot it – no bullet hole,” Danny explained. “Can you make it look alive, natural?” He frowned slightly not sure of the correct wording.

   The taxidermist gave an understanding smile and nodded as he listen to Danny. The fellow went to a bin of wood pieces and took one out and said, “Would this look all right to mount the partridge on?” He handed the piece so the younger Tourigny could agree or disagree.

   Danny took it – felt the angular cut – looked at it in every angle. And then, approved.

   Then, his father leaned to Danny and suggested, “Ask what the fee would be.”

   Danny knew about wood, but had no idea about money except how to collect the money from his Paper-Route customers. So, he asked.

   “Well, Daniel, you like the mounting wood piece. Hmmm.” The fellow rubbed his chin, and then asked, “Is anything important coming up for you?”

   Danny hesitated, but answered, “My birthday’s in a week.”

   “Well, how about $10. Is that too much?” The fellow smiled very widely to Danny.

   Danny looked to his father, who gave his approval. His first business transaction was a success!!

                When Daniel traveled overseas with the Air Force, the partridge was left in his father’s capable hands. Once back in The States, it has been in his homes.

Including where it resides now with us.