“Ozzie has an Achilles’ talon,” says Harriett. “He tries to keep it secret, but of course I know.”

“You know, and I know, Ozzie is an enormously, caring, respectable and loving bird. He is rational, thoughtful and conscientiously lives up to his values. Only I know of this weakness. Ozzie also knows of it.”

“Why I have it, I know not why,” he once told me.
“Self-confidence? Insecurity? I really don’t know.”
“But I know it’s there and I do not want it to be hurtful, especially to you Harriett.”

“Ozzie knows it is dangerous and potentially uncontrollable. Sometimes I have to be careful not to awaken it.  Generally Ozzie has no problem living and interacting socially, and to any other osprey he presents as a well-adjusted upstanding member of the species. He is dignified in his comportment and mien. No one would ever suspect the Green Monster that he hides so skillfully.

I’ve never seen it fully unleashed, thank goodness, because I suspect it would not be a pretty sight. I’m worried about this interloper hanging around our platform. I think it may be Ivan. Ivan, “The Brute”, could easily awaken the monster, unleashing Ozzie’s volatile jealousy with all its blinding fury.”

I don’t want it to happen.”

(But it does)

To be continued…