In the large oak tree across the yard from her window, a bird flapped its wings, drawing her attention. She had just gotten off from the phone with the Freda girl whom she had told to inform her sister about her call; and had decided to take a look out outside her window.
The bird had a round facial disk with a very pronounced ruff. It wasn't an owl but it was large. Very large. The unusual bird could easily weigh at least twenty pounds. She stared at it, and it stared right back. She could see its eyes, round and shiny black. She had never seen a one like this. If she didn't know better, she would think it was a harpy eagle. Emma leaned all the way out of the window sill, concentrating on the bird.
