Page 24

I’ve made breakfast again, and I wait patiently for Kerri and Shiloh to join me at the table. I have the day planned out perfectlyand Shiloh can use it to her advantage. This is her last chance to prove to me she’s ready to be a woman.

Otherwise, there will be consequences. I can’t let this go unpunished.

They come in and look surprised to see me there sipping on my coffee.

“Morning ladies,” I say cheerfully. “I have a special day planned for us. We’re going to the zoo.” I smile broadly. “All three of us.”

Kerri smiles. “Sounds amazing, Esther. We haven’t been to the zoo in a long time.”

“I love all the animals,” Shiloh says confidently.

I smile. “I know, that’s why I chose it. Then we will come home, relax a little, and have a special dinner.”

Shiloh starts to eat her breakfast, and Kerri makes herself some coffee before she starts to eat. Once we’re done, Kerri loads up the dishwasher, and then we get our coats and purses and leave the house. As I strap Shiloh in, I whisper, “Today is the day.”

She looks up at me worriedly, but I give her a reassuring smile. Kerri climbs into the car and I give her another smile before I shut the door.

I drive us to the zoo, which isn’t far away. I locate a parking space and pay our entrance fee. Shiloh holds Kerri’s hand tightly as we walk past the first lot of animals. They want to tarry there, but I urge them to follow me to the very spot I want to go.

It’s a continuous walkway with throngs of people with children stopping at each animal cage exclaiming over them. The herbivores are nothing but fodder to me. Their cages smell like shit. Literally.

There’s only one place I want to go.

The carnivores.

We stop first at the African lion, and I smile broadly. “In my opinion, carnivores are the most important thing in the ecosystem. Take the African lion. If they weren’t there, the bucks would multiply and eat all the grassland and there would be devastation. Carnivores have a really important role to play in the feeding chain.” We walk to the next enclosure. “Take the hyena as another example. They’re our cleaners. They clean up the mess that the lions make. They’re like the housemaids of the African bush. Nothing goes to waste. Nothing is left behind.”

As we work our way over to each carnivore, I make sure to let them know a little fact about why they’re important, but I don’t stop there. Once we’re feeling a bit weary from the sun beating down upon us, I take them indoors to the reptile section, and explain their purposes, and then to the aviary where the vultures are kept.

Kerri seems fascinated with my little talk, but Shiloh is giving me a knowing look. She understands what I’m referring to. As Kerri watches a vulture eat, I take Shiloh aside and kneel down. “You give me a signal when you’re ready, and I will keep watch and help you, if need be, okay?”

Shiloh nods, but I can’t tell what she is thinking. I just hope she’s reconsidered her decision.

We continue to talk about the animals as we make our way towards the restaurant in the middle of the zoo. Kerri finds us a table outside and we all look at the menu.

Kerri leans over to Shiloh and points out the kiddies’ items and I smile. “No need. She’s a big girl now. She can order whatever she likes. Today is a special day, after all.”

“What are we celebrating exactly, Esther?”

“Just that Shiloh is almost a woman, and life deserves celebration. We should all celebrate life more often.”

Kerri smiles. “That’s a lovely sentiment. I hope Shiloh learns from this that it’s okay to celebrate even the smallest of things.”

“I hope so too,” I say. “And how important it is that everything has its place in the food chain. You’re either eaten or eating.” I grin.

Kerri looks at me curiously, but doesn’t comment. The waitress comes over and we order our lunch. Kerri is having a toasted sandwich, which Shiloh decides she also wants. I order a venison steak–rare.

Kerri laughs. “Oh, I can’t eat rare. That coppery taste is too much for me.”

“That’s the best part,” I say honestly. “I love it.”

Shiloh pulls a face as our food is delivered, and I cut into the steak. The blood drips from it and I smile. We eat in silence, mostly. Every now and then Kerri imparts a fact about animals to Shiloh and what they are famous for. She talks about the pandas in China, and I grow easily bored by the idle chitchat.

Once we’re done, we get ice creams to finish our walk with. Shiloh happily licks at hers, Her free hand clinging to Kerri’s as we make our way back to the car.

I strap Shiloh in and wait for Kerri to strap herself in before I start to drive. “I think I’ll prepare a nice dinner for us tonight. Something tasty so the celebration can continue.”

“I don’t know if I can eat anymore. I’m quite full.”

“You say that now, Kerri, but you’ll be hungry later. I’m sure Shiloh will be.”

Kerri smiles at me as I park the car in front of my garage. “Why don’t you two go get changed, and I’ll put a pot of coffee on.”

They both agree and we walk inside. Shiloh watches as I go downstairs to the basement and unlock it.

Leaving it open, I come back upstairs and turn the coffeemaker on. I pull out a mug and set it down, straightening the handle. I smile triumphantly to myself.

Today, my girl becomes a woman.