Starglow Basin asco

For her eighth birthday, Towhee’s son surprised her by saying, -I wanna go see my dad.-

She choked on her spit, jerkily signing back, -Excuse me, your what now?-

His eyes sparkled with mirth as he informed her, -You’re not as quiet as you think when you ‘whisper,’ you know.-

She recovered and stared at him, mind whirling for a few seconds before she blurted, You’ve known it all this time? And then, Why didn’t you say anything?

-I’m saying something now, mom,- he reminded her, still wearing that easy grin of his. -It’s not that big a deal, is it? But I’d like to go see him again.-

But, Towhee spluttered, then fell silent for a solid ten seconds. He doesn’t speak our language—either one of them, she reminded Bushtit weakly.

-We should teach him Ptero. C’mon. Please?-

How could she possibly resist that face? Still feeling more than a little thrown by this revelation, Towhee nodded her agreement, wiped some spittle from her chin, and fell into step beside her son as he frolicked in the direction of the basin.