Summary

In “The Cockatoos,” Olive Davoren opens the door to Clyde Goodenough, a Heart Foundation representative asking for a contribution. She offers him two dollars, after which he asks if her husband Mick can offer anything. Olive explains that she and Mick “haven’t spoken for . . . seven years,” and only communicate via note-writing (304). She refuses to write him a note about a donation because she is mad at him for killing her pet bird. While they are talking, Olive and Clyde see a cockatoo in the yard.

Afterwards, Olive moseys around her house trying to avoid Mick. She remembers how her and Mick’s marriage used to be during the War. Everything has since changed. Mick became increasingly aggressive and petty. He particularly ridiculed her for watching and feeding the cockatoos that visited the yard.

Clyde tells his wife Gwen and son Tim about...