Birds of America

My father left me this house.

And the mortgage, when I was 18.

Along with his first edition of Audubon Birds of America ,

a dying mother,

a 12-year-old sister and a 7-year-old brother.

And fairly serious bowel issues.

I didn't do a great job raising my little brother and sister,

Most people would agree at least one of them was unstable,

possibly insane, unless you asked the other one,

who can't be considered reliable.

Dinner's ready I

Any luck?

However you look at it, life is an awful lot of... shit I

Hello?

What time is it?

I'm sorry. What?

Did...?

M m!

Ida Csonka Photography.

Hey sis, it's me.

Hey I How's it going?

Listen, Jay... well, I don't want you to worry,

well, he was beat up and hospitalized.

N uh uh.

Then he was slightly, he's fine, run over but he's totally fine.

Oh, oh.

I'll keep you posted.

Good luck with the job and don't eat while you're driving.

And no more hitchhikers, right?

Hey. You okay?

That's good.

What about your classes, honey?

You can't just take off.

Can you call the school or Paul?

It's just not great timing.

Have I ever missed a class in seven years?

No, Why do you always have to deal, huh?

Why can't Ida deal with something for once?

Ida is nowhere near here. She's on her way to a shoot, a paid one.

A paid shoot, that would be a slight change.

So are you gonna be long?

I'll call you when I know what's happening.

Okay, drive carefully.

Well, bye.

Thanks a lot.

No, thank you!

Don't you want to get settled?

I don't live here.

You moved?

About a month ago.

Then what...?

Are you doing drugs again?

I told you, Morrie, I no longer try to heighten

or dull my senses artificially. I'm really a new person.

And where exactly does this new person live?

This is where I sleep.

I gathered leaves for the mattress.

You wouldn't believe how comfortable it is.

What are you eating?

The future is in the ground.

I've planted seeds.

I wanna live clean. I'm not a burden out here.

Burden?

Hear the birds? I sit,

I see snakes.

There's a beaver.

Can you believe that, Morrie? A beaverl

I'm good, Morrie.

What? Were you afraid to call again for cash?

No. I want to try having less.

See what my life would be like without all the...

stuff, the noise.

Where is your stuff?

I gave everything away.

Everything?

Every last thing.

U h-huh.

Not Dad's first edition of Audubon Birds of America?

Not your card collection?

What if you took a break and stayed with us for a bit?

Please?

Oh! N ice lunch break. Do you need a hand?

No, thank you! I'm okay.

How's the little one today?

Sleeping, thank goodness. It was a rough night.

Take a nap. I'll watch him.

Oh, once I finish with this disaster.

U m, hey, Paul said Morrie wasn't in school.

Is there an emergency?

Yes! Well, what else would keep M r. Dedication out of school, right?

Everything okay?

Well, yeah, no, Jay had an accident.

It wasn't his fault.

Got clipped by a car.

Oh my gosh! No!

He's gonna be okay. Morrie's gonna bring him home for dinner.

Oh, is only Jay coming home?

Of course.

Paul loves you guys, it's just that...

I know. And I agree.

What is it with Morrie's family and accidents?

Oh, duty calls.

I'll see you in a little while.

Yep.

Hey!

H i, Jay.

Oh my gosh.

Well,

you must be famished.

No, not especially.

Well, this is nice.

Did you want to change before we...

No.

No. Okay.

Alright. I am gonna fix you some...

Is that meat meat or is that soy meat?

Soy meat?

Are you a vegetarian?

A vegan.

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know.

Oh, that's okay. Jay can have a Caesar Salad

and some garlic bread.

I'm a... I'm a vegan.

No animal products.

You go ahead.

Not even cheese or butter?

M ilk is for calves...

to suckle.

Honey, why don't you sit down and I'll find something.

How... about... some... oatmeal?

Great. Can't have oatmeal for dinner.

Why not?

We'll get some veggie stuff. We'll stock up.

Stock up?

Okay.

Well, this is nice, isn't it?

Paul and Laura got a dog...

Shh!

That relieves itself on our lawn many times a day.

That's okay, that's okay.

That's okay.

Did you say anything?

We can't.

We can't do anything. We'd like to, really, not yet.

Paul is one of the faculty members

who recommended me for tenure.

And he's on the board of regents

and he golfs with the provost.

And I need his support.

No, that's not what you need.

I'm gonna get those dishes done.

Your room's all ready for you, Jay.

I left clean towels on the bed.

I think I'm gonna stay in the attic.

Why? There's nothing up there.

The cot still up there?

Oh Jay, you might as well sleep on the ground.

I really think you'd be more comfortable in your room.

I'd like to stay in the attic.

Okay. I'll give it a quick sweep.

You know what I really don't want to find?

My little brother swinging from a rafter in the attic.

I already told you, Morrie.

J ust because I was laying in the road doesn't mean I was trying to...

Did you fall down?

Did you pass out?

Were you trying to...

Feel.

His five-year-old daughter was

sexually assaulted last week is asking other parents

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Coming up, tips from our medical expert Dr. Emily Copenose.

The most beautiful thing in your life...

Emily's a nice name, don't you think?

How about Copenose?

You okay?

What's going on? He alright?

Jay?

I called Ida and she said

she's gonna come to stay with us for a bit.

Hello? Good morning I

Isn't that great?

H i!

H i! How are you? A little angel!

He a good little boy!

H i, Laura!

H i Morrie, how's it going?

M m.

How's Jay?

M m.

Better than ever.

Oh! H i! Welcome home!

It's so nice to see you.

Really?

Well, yeah, really! Hey, you wanna meet my little guy?

Here. Say hi. H i, Jay.

Is he okay?

Yeah, why?

H is head is misshapen.

Oh.