Page 31 of Pooh

I look up and see Mac strutting across the yard headed towards our table. He waves his wing at someone and then high fives Pigeon on his way past him. When he reaches our table, he beats his wings a few times and lands on the table in front of where Craig is standing. Craig’s eyes are so wide open I half expect them to fall out. Craig steps close enough to me to press his body against my side while staring at Mac in awe.

“Hi! I’m Mac,” Mac screeches loudly. “Who are you?”

“Pooh! Who’s saying that?” asks Craig. I look down at him and his entire body is frozen solid, eyes still wide open and he’s talking out of the side of his mouth. Almost as if his mouth moves, the bird will notice. I smother a laugh.

“That’s Mac. Mac, this is Craig,” I say, doing the introductions.

“Hi Craig!” Mac crows while holding his wing out towards Craig.

“What the hell, Pooh? It’s still talking!” whispers Craig, still not moving a muscle.

“Mac is a Macaw. He can talk and make all kinds of sounds and noises. He’s very smart,” I inform Craig.

“Like a parrot? Like those damn Angry Birds?”

“Yep, just like those Angry Birds, Craig.”

“High five, Craig!” Mac squawks.

Craig hesitates for a moment and then tentatively high fives Mac’s wing. A friendship is born. All the adults breathe a sigh of relief that Mac didn’t overwhelm Craig’s four-year-old self.

“Your feet are gnarly,” states Craig while looking at Mac’s feet.

“Your face is dirty,” returns Mac.

“Your voice sounds funny.”

“You say swears!”

“Damn bird needs to mind his own business, Pooh,” Craig states while laughing himself silly. These two are cute together but I can only shudder at the trouble they could get themselves into.

Mac turns his attention to the babies being held directly in front of him.

“Hi Mia! Hi Zoe! Mac loves!”

Total aww moment and I see that in Pippa’s eyes. It’s a good look on her. I watch as she reaches out and strokes Mac’s head as he switches his attention to her.

“Hi! Who’s you?” Mac questions.

“I’m Pippa. It’s nice to meet you, Mac.”

“Yup. Lucky you,” the arrogant little menace responds.

Everyone, including Craig, laughs at Mac and he loves the attention. Before he can get another comment out, Chubs and Lucy approach. Chubs is holding a large remote control in his hands but that doesn’t stop him from snatching some trail mix off the table.

“Hi, Craig. I’m Chubs and this is my girlfriend Lucy. When we heard you were going to be here today, we thought you might like something fun to do. Watch this, little man.”

Chubs uses the controller to bring a remote-control truck our direction. It’s jacked up on big tires and is a bright blue color. It has smoke stacks and a chrome-colored grill across the front. It’s every little boy’s dream toy. Craig’s eyes light up and he rushes to stand near Chubs.

“Can I drive it?” asks Craig with a hopeful look on his little face.

“Of course, you can! It’s your truck! Lucy and Bella thought you’d like one so we bought it for you. Let me show you how to use the controller.”

“Oh wow! Thank you so much! It’s so cool!” gushes Craig.

I make a mental note to thank Chubs and give Lucy a hug later. They made the little guy’s entire day. They’re such a great couple. Both have big hearts and are always there for their friends and family.

While Chubs shows Craig how to operate the truck, Lucy takes a seat next to Pippa. She introduces herself and then explains to Pippa how her dad is the Governor and that she wants to talk about New Horizons and see if she can get some government funding to help with the expenses. Pippa’s eyes now look like Craig’s did earlier and I have to chuckle.

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