Page 41 of The Friend Zone
Dana and Omar looked over his head at each other and laughed. Something passed between them—a deeper sense of camaraderie and intimacy.
“I hope we don’t see him again,” Dana said.
No sooner had the words left her mouth than the duck coasted overhead, so low they all dipped their heads to avoid getting hit. He landed on the other side on dry land and stared at them.
“I think he really hates us,” Omar muttered.
“Mr. Duckie hates us,” Prince said.
They all busted out laughing at the angry duck, who waddled away into the bushes.
Afterward, the rest of the trip downriver was pleasantly uneventful. Dana let her fingers trail in the water, and several times she initiated a splashing contest with Omar and his son.
A group of people stood on top of a bridge spanning the river, and as they sailed underneath, they waved and the spectators waved at them as well. A little farther along, and they were finally at the end of the journey.
As the young male worker pulled them toward the bank, Prince said, “Yay! Can we go again?”
Omar chuckled. “Not today, big man. Another day, okay?”
When they disembarked, Prince moaned and pouted, and Omar lifted him into his arms. “What are you pouting about, huh? I’m gonna toss you right back in the water.”
“No!” Prince shrieked, giggling.
“Yep, gonna toss you right back in since two hours wasn’t enough.”
Omar swung his son toward the water, and Prince shrieked louder.
“No?”
“No, Daddy,” Prince said, vigorously shaking his head.
“You sure?” Omar held him at arm’s length and pretended he was about to throw him in again.
“No! I’m sure.”
“All right then.” Omar set him down. “You hungry?”
“Yes!”
“What do you want to eat?”
“French fries!”
“French fries for the big man.”
Omar patted his bottom and Prince skipped ahead of them. Omar flung an arm around Dana’s neck and asked, “And what do you want to eat?”
“Where are you taking us?”
“A spot where we can get french fries, apparently. I have to do a better job of expanding my kid’s palate.”
“Actually, fries don’t sound too bad. A nice fat burger and a chocolate shake to go along with them would hit the spot.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes.”
“Man, you’re a cheap date.”
