Page 92 of Win Big

Everly points to the condors’ rescue zone. “Look. They rescue hockey players like Wyatt.”

Owen giggles. “That’s not rescuing hockey players!” he tells Everly. “Condors are real birds. They used to be exkinked.”

“Ah.” She nods.

I pay our admissions and we head in through the gates. It’s a sunny day, nice and warm, and we get him sunscreened up and a hat on his head before we move too far.

I hold up the sunscreen bottle to Everly. “Need some?”

“I’m okay. I put on sunscreen at home.” She slides her big sunglasses onto her nose.

Owen’s enthusiasm always makes the zoo fun, and Everly seems to feel it too. He doesn’t like to spend too long at each exhibit, dashing on to the next one. We pause to watch keepers feeding Tasmanian devils, which fascinates Owen.

“They’re really aggressive,” I comment as they attack some kind of small animal and make scary noises.

“They’re going crazy!” Owen says, wide-eyed.

“They look like Wyatt when he gets a steak,” Everly says to Owen and he laughs.

I shoot her an amused glance. “Ha.” I nudge Owen. “They have no table manners.”

He laughs again.

After that, we move on. “I wanna see the grillas!” Owen says. “I like grillas.”

We stop for a late lunch of tacos, and a bathroom break, then wander on. Owen’s pace is slowing, so I carry him on my shoulders for a while.

“I learned about giraffes at school,” Owen tells us when we arrive there. “Their tongues are this long!” He holds his arms wide. “And their tongue is black!”

“Wow.” Everly looks impressed.

“Also, giraffes only sleep a little bit. And they sleep standing up because if they lay down they might be attacked.”

“He’s smart,” Everly murmurs to me.

I squeeze her hand. “Yep.”

“Can we feed them? Please?”

“Sure, buddy.” It costs extra, but only a few bucks. And it’s a cool experience.

When we’re done there, we move on.

“Look, Everly!” Owen tugs her other hand. “Monkeys!”

“Chimpanzees,” I correct him.

“Right. They’re funny!”

“They are,” Everly agrees. “Oh my gosh! What’s happening?”

A fight has broken out. One chimp is chasing another with a stick and screaming.

“Looks like a hockey game!” Everly says, cracking Owen up again. Okay, and me.

Everyone around is laughing at the animals and the show they’re putting on. One chimp stops and beats his chest. Owen dies laughing.

We take one more rest and buy some ice cream before heading out to get a tired boy home. He falls asleep in the backseat.

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