Page 19 of Maximum
“That one is mine,” my mom said with pride and began telling the story behind the prize-winning photography.
When it was time to go across the street, I felt buzzed from two large drinks. It was rare for me to touch alcohol, but I welcomed the effect it had on me as Maximum took my hand and steered me toward what would be my first time seeing my ex-husband since he showed up unexpectedly in Ireland last year.
Back then it had taken a massive fight between us to make him leave. Hopefully, this time he wouldn’t make as big a scene.
“Wow, your parents are really talented.” Maximum was immediately drawn to a series of photos my father had taken of a pack of lions. The gallery was larger than I had expected, with two floors and a large back area.
“It’s like being on a safari,” Maximum said as we admired the close-up photos of the elephants, giraffes, buffalos, rhinos, lions, leopards, and other animals that my parents had captured.
“Wow, look at that black panther. No wait, sorry, it says here that it’s a leopard.” Turning to me, Maximum asked, “What’s the difference between a black leopard and a black panther?”
I smiled. “There’s no difference. A black panther is the black color variant of any Panthera.”
“I’m sorry for seeming ignorant, but what is covered by the word Panthera?”
“Lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars.”
“So, panther isn’t an animal in itself?”
“No, it’s simply a melanistic version of one of the big cats, known colloquially as black panthers.”
“Did you ever talk to one of them?” From the way Maximum put pressure on the wordtalk, I knew he still wasn’t convinced that I could truly communicate with animals.
I smiled. “I’ve talked to several. They’re majestic animals.”
“Did you see the movie?”
“Which movie?”
“Black Panther?It was pretty good.”
“Fleur.”
I tensed, recognizing the voice calling my name and knew before I turned that I’d find Pierre behind me. Closing my eyes, I took a fortifying breath then spun and faced my first love and biggest regret.
“Pierre.”
