Keep it Alive
Chapter Two: Part One: Lions Tigers and Bears, you learn something new everyday.
"Are you ever going to tell me where we're going?" Sitting in the passenger seat of Don's Chevy Jimmy, Terry is not only frustrated, but if she doesn't see a possible destination soon she is going jump out of the car. Don's chuckle is her answer.
"You are so gonna pay for this; I could be doing something a lot more important." He snickers.
"Like what, homework?" Glare.
"Come on, it's your birthday. And we're almost there, keep your shorts on." Crossing her arms over her chest for probably the fifth the time during the car ride, Terry decides to keep her mouth shut. They've been riding a highway, which she's never been on before, for the last hour. Sighing, she turns her gaze to the open window. The only things to see are fields of grass and weeds and, of course, the occasional cow or horse. Welcome to the wonderful country side of Virginia. She's never been a big fan, but she has to admit it is beautiful. Biting her lip, she turns to him, opening her mouth.
"No." Rolling her eyes, she continues through his interruption.
"I wasn't gonna ask if we're there yet. I was wondering how you even know where we are." Don keeps his gaze on the road as he answers.
"On some of my days off, when you're busy, I go driving. It clears my mind. I used to do it when I was younger." Terry eyed him curiously. He's hiding all emotion behind his "cool guy" sunglasses.
"Because of Charlie?"
"Yea, sometimes. It was just too much to handle sometimes. But other than that, I just liked to do it. No real reason." Nodding, she moves her eyes back to the road, leaning deeper into the seat. They enter a tunnel, and Terry tenses up. He noticed, but didn't say anything. Once they get through, she inhales deeply, and tries to act normal.
"You alright?"
"Yeah, I just don't like tunnels, that's all…." She left her sentence hanging and her facial expression clearly reads complete shock. They have entered a whole new world. The grassy plains have turned into foothills, and nestled in the middle is a …
"A zoo!" She exclaims excitedly. That made him smile; he knows for a fact she loves animals. The outside structure resembles a palace from the plains of Africa, with bamboo doors and walls, decorated with large green leaves. They reach the parking lot about ten minutes later; all the time with Terry bouncing in her seat. To Don she looks like a little kid at Christmas, which makes him happy.
"Mission accomplished."
"Did you say something?" Terry asks distractedly, practically hanging out the window to get a better look.
"Nope." It seems like forever before they're finally paying the small entrance fee, and walking inside. Just outside sitting in front of the gate, is a statue of a gorilla. Towering over ten feet tall, its sleek black skin shines in the bright sunshine, and nestled in its large arms, is a baby giraffe, curled into a ball but distinguishable. Its large head is looking down to the small creature, almost with a motherly look. At its feet are a bunny, baby lion, and a bear cub; all gazing up at the amazing sight.
Now holding Don's hand tightly in hers, Terry's breath is taken as they meet a wooden sign. The words "The Realm of Animalia" are carved into the wood. An inch thick black stripe cuts through each letter. One edge of the sign is partially burned off, giving it a mysterious aura. Ten feet after that is another sign, tall this time, with directions to the different exhibits. Each arrow pointing either right or left is morphed into the shape of the animal. After deciding to go left, towards the primates, bird pavilion, lion den, and the bears; they start the trek through the beautiful landscape.
0o0o0o0o0o0o About one hour later o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Okay, do something funny." Don's voice floated out to Terry from behind the camera, so she pointed to him and stared at him as if he was about to attack her with a chain saw. Laughing, he finally lowered it, and joined her in continuing their walk. The whole place looks like a picture taken directly from the backdrop of Africa. Both pairs of eyes roam to as many places as possible, and stop every ten feet or so to watch a stray squirrel or the next animal habitat. Don and Terry had just passed the giraffe's desert home when Don spotted the ice cream stand.
"Oh Terr look ice cream! Let's get some!" With that said he grabbed her hand and practically dragged her over. She had to suppress the urge to burst out laughing at the silly grin on his face. 'He's such a little kid...a cute one…'
…TBC…part two coming shortly…although that's what I said last time….