A family of birds have stopped on a winter-bare tree outside my house, loitering around on the black branches. The parents are arguing noisily. They don't see me eavesdropping as I smoke my morning cigarette, and so I continue..

Mama: I'm not mad, just.. disappointed. I leave these things up to you and, every time, something like this happens!

Dad: Christ. Calm down, Kate. Look, it's not my fault, is it? I thought it would be warmer. Perry said..

Mama: Oh, Perry! Jesus, I should have fucking guessed. Don't try to blame this on him, Harold. I mean, who the hell goes north in the winter, huh? I can't believe you would be so stupid!

Dad: Stupid! You listen to me, Kate. You're the one who wanted to take the damned vacation in the first place. I was having a great time down south, but you couldn't shut up about the food and the other birds, especially that.. What was her name? Emelia?

Mama: You ought to know her name, that little slut. I saw you and Perry over on her branch..

..The kids, three of them, have been hanging out on other branches. The youngest is over by herself, dancing back and forth, and the two older kids sit alone staring out at the grey sky, beaks all scrunched in petulance. The oldest child flies down to join the middle one..

Oldest: They're still at it?

Middle: Yeah.. Geez, they never shut up.

Oldest: I know. Who cares about their stupid shit anyway? I wish they'd just quit bitching.

Middle: You said a bad word! I'm telling!

Oldest: Geez, knock it off. I'm sorry, ok?

Middle: Ok, but next time I'm telling for reals.

Oldest: Whatever.. I think I'm gonna fly off for a while. You wanna come?

Middle: No.. (Shuffling her feet) I'm gonna stay.

Oldest: Alright. Later, then. (He flies off) Bye, Mom and Dad! I'll be back later!

..The youngest, on her solitary branch, perks up..

Youngest: Hey, wait for me! I wanna come, too!

..She half-stumbles, half-swoops after her brother and I hear an almost inaudible 'Fuck,' from his direction. The parents seem barely to have noticed..

Dad: You do this every fucking time, Kate! Nothing's ever good enough! Maybe you should be the one out working every day, trying to find food for the whole family, maybe then you'd appreciate how hard it is for me to give you all the ridiculous crap you ask for! I'm just trying to make ends meet, but I have to work twice as hard just to keep you a little bit happy, and still you're nowhere close to satisfied! Fuck.

Mama: Don't raise your voice, Harold. And don't use that language in front of the kids.

Dad: The kids, if you hadn't noticed, left. You know, I do a decent job of bringing home the worms. Who the hell are you to tell me I'm not doing enough, when you can't even look after your own children?

..The middle child watches this last exchange intently, then takes off after her siblings like she's falling, catching herself right before she smacks into a roof..

Mama: Susie! Now where's she going?

Dad: I don't know, but I'm going to go round them up. I've had enough of this shit. We're going back south and I don't want to hear another peep out of you the whole way.

..He takes off, leaving the mother alone. She just watches for a few moments, then begins doing the same dance her young daughter was doing.