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| Bird Favoring Pete |
When
I was about 11 we lived in Ellenton, Florida. We had not lived there
long, having just moved from Oviedo. Perhaps I was feeling a bit as
if much in my life was outside of my control. For whatever reason
(and it seems that many of the things we desire have no readily
identifiable cause) I decided I wanted a bird. I approached my father
about it, and he took it under consideration. When I approached him
a second time about it, he agreed. I was delighted and excited. We
drove immediately to the dimestore in Bradenton – towards the back
of the store they kept birds and I think fish as well. I remember
picking out a green parakeet and selecting a cage and accessories. I
was happy holding the cage in the car on the way home. I felt love
and appreciation for my father. I excitedly showed it to mother when
we got back, and she smiled lovingly and appreciatively. We named the bird Pete, and he lived with us for many years. At first we
clipped his wings, but soon stopped the practice and he flew freely
about the house.
