Page 25 of Season of Mercy
Mercy hushed the feeling and winked at Ethan, hinting it was time to make the announcement to Stevie, the trip they’d discussed yesterday.
Ethan leaned to her little boy—no,theirlittle boy. “What do you think about a zoo trip today?”
Stevie put the glass on the table so fast the water sloshed. “Really?”
Ethan nodded. “Of course. We’ll see giraffes, gorillas, lions, bears, sharks, crocodiles, chimpanzees, kangaroos...” Ethan paused. “Mercy, help me out here. Who else do they have there?”
Mercy smiled. “I don’t think you need to sell the zoo trip to Stevie. I’m sure you had him atzoo.”
“Oh, and you’ll be able to touch a stingray if you want to.” Ethan grinned at Stevie.
The boy’s clapping was confirmation of her words. “Let’s go.” He jumped from his chair.
“No, mister. Not before you finish your breakfast.” She pinned Stevie with a stare.
“Oh, Mommy.” Stevie climbed on the chair dejectedly. He turned his gaze to Ethan. “Daddy?”
“This French toast is delicious. I bet I can finish it before you do.” Ethan started working his way through the remains of the breakfast. “Let’s see who’s faster.”
“I can beat you, Daddy!” Stevie finished the pieces Ethan had cut for him in no time.
About two hours later, which included a long drive, they entered the zoo.
Her pulse increased in excitement. Feeling like a kid again, Mercy glanced around. “Who should we see first?”
“Giraffes!” Stevie jumped up and down in his stroller.
“Then it’s decided.” Ethan looked at the map in his hand and pointed in the direction of the area where African flora and fauna was displayed. Then he rolled the stroller there.
“Have you been here before?” Ethan asked Mercy while Stevie was watching the staff of the zoo giving treats to two giraffes.
“When I was seven. But I barely remember anything. Besides, many things changed since then. Many areas and pavilions added.” Mercy searched her memory. “My parents were busy working most of the time, so I was grateful to have that trip.”
“I can relate.” Ethan took Stevie’s hand, and they moved to watch the lions behind a tall glass wall and, what was scarier, hear them roar.
Mercy nodded as she held Stevie’s hand and did her best not to step back at the sound of another roar. “Your father was busy advancing his business, and your mother tried to help him as much as she could.”
“And my brother was sickly, so he took all their attention not already taken by work.” There were notes of bitterness in Ethan’s voice.
“Daddy, Mommy, I wanna see kangaroos!” Stevie tugged on her hand.
Mercy smiled. “Let’s go to the area with Australian animals, then.”
Once there, Stevie pointed at the animals. “Look at that bag!”
Mercy nodded. “That’s a pouch where kangaroo mamas carry their kangaroo babies. If I were a kangaroo, that’s where I’d carry you.”
“Wow!” Stevie’s eyes widened. “But I wouldn’t wanna stay in the pouch. No zipper to keep babies in.”
Ethan chuckled. “They don’t stay in the pouch forever. Eventually, they stick their heads out and then jump from the pouch when they feel secure enough. I think after two hundred thirty-five days, they leave the pouch forever.”
“Forever? Don’t they miss their mommy?” Stevie’s eyes grew large.
“I’m sure their mommy misses them.” Mercy felt like hugging Stevie tight.
Ethan continued, “I believe the largest species in the family are called kangaroos, and the intermediate size are called wallaroos. The smallest ones are wallabies. Kangaroos are included in the Australian coat of arms. They are featured in many books and movies.”
Mercy nudged him in the side and mouthed, “How do you know all these things?”
