Page 47 of Alice & Meg: Summer Vacation
Lo tugged off his cut.“I hate using that connection, but I wasn’t in the mood to mess around.”
I walked into him and wrapped my arms around his waist.“I appreciate it.And I’m sure if Fayth had been here, she would’ve done the same thing.”
He chuckled.“Yeah, she would have.”
We changed for bed.I pulled on my purple muumuu, climbed into bed, and exhaled deeply.Lo turned off the lights and slid in beside me.
“One more full day,” I said, barely suppressing a yawn.
“Yup.Let’s hope it’s not as eventful as tonight.”
I snuggled in.“Let’s hope not.”
Sunday
Alice
It was Sunday afternoon, and the sun was high in the sky as we strolled through the Deer Park and Wildlife Zoo.I’d lost count of how many animals we’d seen: baby goats, deer, potbellied pigs, even a kangaroo that looked like he was judging us from his shady little corner.It smelled like hay and sunshine, and the soft buzz of happy kids and camera clicks filled the air.There were signs posted everywhere reminding us not to feed the animals anything but the approved pellets, which we all clutched in little white paper bags.
“This place is actually kind of amazing,” Greta admitted as she stood next to a pen of bright-eyed foxes that were playing with what looked like a dog toy.She leaned against the railing, and her eyes narrowed like she was checking for signs of neglect.
“You haven’t tried to smuggle out a single animal yet,” Meg teased and nudged her with her hip.
Greta snorted.“Yet.But I gotta say, these little guys are clean, well-fed, and living better than I did in college.”
I laughed and took a step back as one of the deer tried to nose into my bag of pellets.Wrecker stood behind me, arms crossed, and watched the animal like it might suddenly try to body-check me.
“You can relax,” I told him over my shoulder.“Bambi here just wants a snack.”
“Not taking chances,” he grunted.
The place was adorable in that perfectly cheesy, roadside zoo way.There were wooden signs painted with goofy facts about each animal, and the path wound in a loop past shaded enclosures and picnic areas.There were plenty of families around, but our group, with leather cuts, boots, and all, still drew a few second glances.I guess it wasn’t every day a biker club and their ol’ ladies came to feed alpacas and admire wallabies.
Cyn was crouched near a pen and tried to get the attention of a particularly lazy goat who was sunbathing like it was his job.“Hey, little dude,” she cooed.“Come here.I got snacks.”
“I don’t think he negotiates,” Raven called from a bench and sipped from a water bottle.“He’s on break.”
Cyn shook her paper bag of pellets.“Come on.Just one cute photo for Instagram.That’s all I ask.”
I had my phone out and snapped pictures of Reva and Hero as they tried to take a selfie with a surprisingly cooperative llama.It actually leaned into Hero’s shoulder like they were best buds.
“I think that llama likes you,” Reva said with a laugh.
“I have a very approachable energy,” Hero replied, deadpan.
Meg and King were off by the potbellied pigs, feeding them through the slats in the fence while Meg narrated everything like a wildlife host on TV.“And here we see the majestic swine in its natural habitat.Observe how it grunts with enthusiasm at the approach of snack time.”
“You’re a nut, babe,” King grunted but didn’t stop smiling.
Everything was going great.Until it wasn’t.
It happened in the blink of an eye.
Adley had wandered over to an open walk-in enclosure labeled:Friendly Deer Experience.I think she readfriendlyand just assumed it meantsafe.
I was chatting with Cyn about the best angle for llama selfies when we heard a sudden, high-pitched squeal.
“Dad!”
