Mary

Better known as Merocel Mary and part of my life 1996-2001. She was one of my then employer's most dutiful and compliant employees. She did however cry an awful lot but that was only in the cause of duty.

When the company relocated Mary refused to move, was made redundant and was unceremoniously placed out on the street next to the garbage bins. Throwing all caution to the wind, I picked her up as I headed home that night spending most of the journey trying to work out how I could explain her presence to Angie.

In retrospect, I can now understand why Angie banned her out of the house. For the last 13 years she has been uncomplainingly shut away in the cold, damp, spider infested garage.

She once came out for 10 minutes at night when an old friend, Gistl, visited. While he was sitting indoors, I slipped out and placed her in position on the headrest of the passenger seat in his car. Gistl a large strong farrier does however have phoebias, most notably snakes but as it turned out also for strange women in his car. When he entered the car backwards still talking, swung himself behind the wheel, started the motor and then looked backwards to reverse, he leapt out of the car at a speed one would never credit him with.

Today Mary got a new job, not the most pleasant as it means 24hr duty in all weathers. She has been placed in the chicken run at the entrance to the covered area where our baby chicks spend their time. Today one of the crows, cheeky as ever and on the search for food, had popped through the small entrance in to the run and stolen/killed 3 of the 6 chicks! Angie was naturally outraged, built loads of nets and barriers to protect them AND even agreed to Mary's reinstatement.

Mary, despite the terms & conditions, is happy to be able to contribute to saving life again. I am sure her ex-boss Tino will be happy to see her again after so many years. She also played a major role in his career - perhaps he might consider arranging a short holiday for Mary in Florida this winter when the chick "season" is over.