Page 48 of Seduction

“Mikey… baby, wake up.”

I find a parking spot, grabbing the stroller and trying to unfold it while Ellen tends to her son. When I finally figure it out, I roll it around to where they are, finding her applying sunblock to Mikey’s skin. That done, she removes a hat from the bag and places it on his head. Helping him climb out of the car, she straps him into the stroller, hanging the bag on one of the handles.

“Ready?” I ask.

“Yup.”

“Momma, where are we going?” Mikey asks.

“We’re going to the zoo to see the animals, baby.”

“Yeah!” He pumps his little arm, doing a wiggle dance. “Will there be lions and tigers?”

“Maybe. We’ll see.”

“I wanna touch a lion!”

I chuckle, listening to their exchange. “I don’t think the zoo people will let you do that, buddy. The lion can hurt you.”

“What about a tiger?” he asks.

“Him, too. But don’t worry. I’ll see if I can find an animal for you to pet.”

“Cool! Thanks, Ice-tie!”

“You’re welcome.”

Ellen studies the map we’re given on entry, plotting our way around the zoo. She takes us to the mammal section first, since Mikey wants to see lions and tigers. I’m relegated to pushing the stroller, watching as she gets just as excited as Mikey. The elephants are first. While mother and son marvel at the animals, I read the sign by the enclosure.

“Momma, they’re so big!” the little boy says excitedly.

“They sure are.”

“As big as our house.”

“Probably as heavy, too,” Ellen muses.

“How heavy is that?”

Ellen looks to me for help. I simply tell him what I just read. “Well, these ones can be as heavy as six thousand pounds.”

“How much is six thousand?” he asks, squinting up at me.

“A lot, buddy.”

“More than ten? I can count to ten.”

“Waymore.”

“Wow.” His eyes go wide. “That’s a lot.”

The conversation is pretty much the same for the rhinoceros. I continue to impress him with tidbits from the signs, about the lemurs, leopards, and monkeys, before we get to the lion. He’s squirming so much, Ellen removes him from the stroller, but clutches his hand.

“Lion!” He jumps up and down. “Rawrrrr!”

He makes a paw of his free hand, swiping at Ellen. It’s amazing the sheer joy on his face, the excitement running through his little body. I have to admit, his mother inspires the same feelings in me. Right now, being here with both of them, is the best I’ve felt in a long time.

After the tigers and giraffe, we take him to the petting zoo, where he gets to feed the goats and sheep, before stopping at a picnic area for lunch and a general break. While I’m getting us hot dogs and drinks, I watch Ellen reach into the bag and pull out the wet wipes, cleaning Mikey’s hands. I don’t know what else is in that bag, but she seems to be prepared for anything.