"Hey Fay Wray, why so far away?" Franklin quipped as they drove towards the San Bruno ape sanctuary. "Oops, sorry. I promised I wouldn't do that anymore, didn't I?"
Lost in her own thoughts, Amanda jumped at the sound of the man's voice. "What? Oh yeah," Amanda muttered. It didn't bother her much anymore, not if it came from Franklin. From him, she felt it was a sign of affection, a little good-natured teasing, like Lewis did, sometimes.
It was a loaded question, though. What was not going on in and around Amanda's life? Amanda wondered why bad things always happened in waves.
Everything around her was changing. Her body was changing, albeit slowly, though her mother kept telling her there was nothing to worry about, and she would catch up all too soon.
Her best friend was changing, and not for the better. Caesar was quieter, tense, profoundly unhappy, and its broke Amanda's heart to see him that way. Traumatic life events do change a person, and no one knew this better than Amanda Grace King. It was a hard lesson of life that she learned early on, and not just once but twice. She was barely six years old and lost her best friend because he protected her from a kidnapping/molestation/probable murder. Then, she learned it again at seven, at the hands of the torturers at the so-called 'psychic school'. None of those life altering events prepared her for how to help Caesar through his time of need.
It was bad enough that he knew he came from Will's lab, and he felt angry, hurt, and betrayed by Will for that, but he was confused about his place in human society. Although everyone who loved him insisted that he was not a pet, he knew by now that, in front of other humans, he had to wear the trappings of one.
And, as if there was not enough going on to complicate Caesar's life, Charles was getting sick again. Whatever medicine Will gave him didn't work anymore. It was different this time, since the old man did not have near as many violent fits, but he was so quiet, lost, and sad, often thinking that Amanda was his granddaughter by Will and Caroline. Caesar refused to leave the house or Charles, although Amanda knew some time out would do him a world of good, she could not convince him to come with her, not even a short distance to see little Lily. Just getting him out into the back yard took some effort, and they were never there for long. And Lily could not come to the house. Sometimes, too many people around upset Charles.
There was her old buddy, Franklin, and her nightmares ...
"Are you okay?" she asked her friend, putting one hand on his arm. It came out before she could stop herself.
"Uh, I'm okay, why? Is your Spidey sense tingling again?"
Amanda giggled despite herself. "Oh, it's nothing I guess," Amanda said vaguely. She could not bring herself to tell Don Franklin about the bad dreams she had concerning him lately, and since her telling people these things never helped –it usually made matters worse, she kept silent. "It's just ... I'm so worried about Caesar and Charles and everything?"
"Yeah, what's up with Caesar lately? He's been awful standoffish. He's not sick, is he?" Franklin's concern was genuine, and Amanda loved him for it.
"No," Amanda confirmed. "He's not sick. Besides, he's got the best vet in the world living with him, remember?"
"Yep. Doc Aranha's the one I'd want to go to. Listen, sweetheart," Franklin began. "I've done a little research on this gorilla you're going to meet. Are you sure you want to? Everyone says he's got a really bad temper. They say he doesn't like anybody.
"Then, he needs me even more," Amanda insisted. "Besides, I promised Karin I'd look in on him while she was out of the country."
"Yeah, about the great Karin Evans—" Franklin trailed off.
"Yes" Amanda teased him, grinning.
"Well, you think you could snag me an autograph or a picture?"
"Aw, you're a fan!" Amanda crowed with delight. "And why are you blushing? I think that's sweet."
"Yeah, yeah, okay, I am, sort of, the man admitted sheepishly. "You've heard her sing. She sings like an angel."
"And she's real hot too," Amanda put in, and laughed out loud when franklin gave a shocked gasp. "That's how my brother describes her."
"Well, I can't argue with Lewis. She's very pretty. But how'd you know I was blushing."
Amanda said nothing, only placed a small finger on his forehead. "I could say it was that" she said, enjoying being able to tease Franklin a little for a change. "But I'd be lying. I heard it in your voice, and you just admitted it out loud."
'Okay, okay! I surrender already," Franklin laughed. "I never could hide anything from you. But I'm gonna tell you right now that if the gorilla starts acting up, you are out of there, little Miss."
"He won't act up if all you men don't scare him half to death," Amanda retorted. "Now, park the car and let's go."
"Yes Ma'am."
"I don't believe this! That animal is dangerous, and this is crazy!" John Landon, the manager of the San Bruno ape sanctuary, slammed his fist down on his desk. "I'm going on the record. I' am totally against this! I will not be held responsible if anything happens to that poor little blind girl!"
"You want the gorilla calmed down, and you guys are afraid to sedate him?" To say that Franklin was not impressed with how the sanctuary was dealing with the giant gorilla was an understatement. "Have you tried darts?"
"Yes, Mr. Franklin, we tried darts," Landon informed him tartly. "He pulled the damn thing out, broke it into three pieces, and threw it back at us."
"Really?" For a moment, Franklin was taken aback. He suppressed a smile, privately hoping it had hit Landon's son, dodge, right in the head. "Well, nothing's going to happen, except her special Ape Whisperer Fay Wray magic, Mr. Landon. You just watch and see. Oh, and here's the signed consent from her parents."
"Parents nowadays," Landon muttered darkly as he gave the paper a cursory glance and filed it away, probably never to be seen again, in his desk.
"Okay, Mr. Franklin," Landon sighed. "Let's see what our little Fay Wray can do."
The gorilla's roar ripped through the sanctuary, and though she had known gorillas all her life, the young girl was awe struck by his presence. Standing in front of the ape's cage in the San Bruno ape sanctuary, Amanda wondered if her senses were fooling her. If not, then this was the biggest gorilla she ever met, maybe the biggest gorilla who ever lived? He was far too large for his cage, that was for certain. He was not happy to see her. Since he was not happy to see any of the humans, so Amanda did not take it personally, but his anguish and aching loneliness hit her in palpable waves. She could sympathize with the loneliness, and it made her want to weep for him.
So, Karin wasn't exaggerating, Amanda thought. He's really something else!
"Hi, Buck. My name's Amanda," the young girl said softly as she slowly stretched out one hand towards the giant ape. The gorilla showed obvious interest and curiosity, but he was also hesitant and wary. He put out one hand but drew back a little at the last minute.
"It's okay, big Buck. I won't hurt you. I know a friend of yours," Amanda tried again. "Her name's Karin. She wanted me to meet you."
The huge gorilla's demeanor instantly changed, and he let out a low, soft soothing sound. He held out one big hand and let Amanda put her hand, tiny in comparison, into his hand.
"Well, I'll be damned. Just look at that," the girl heard someone, some man, whisper in awe from somewhere behind her. "If I didn't know better, I'd swear that ape responded to that woman's name."
It sounded like John Landon, but at the moment, she could not care less. The physical contact allowed her to deeply sense the gorilla's feelings, and even to see some of his past experiences in her mind's eye.
"She's coming to see you soon," Amanda told Buck. "Maybe tomorrow."
Still holding onto Buck's hand, Amanda half turned and called over her shoulder, "Mr. Landon?"
"Right here," Landon started to approach, but at a warning growl from Buck, stopped several paces away.
"I don't think he likes you much," Amanda said dryly. "And you do know this cage is not appropriate for a gorilla his size."
Amanda heard Landon swallow nervously, and felt his attention slide away from her.
"Don't look at me," Franklin piped up. "I didn't tell her, and you know she's right. That cage is way too small."
"Dodge," Landon called to his son. "Keep an eye on things out here for me—"
"No," Amanda spoke up again. "I would rather have Rodney with us, Mr. Landon."
"Hey, what's the matter, Princess?" Dodge swaggered up to the young girl. "I'm m not good enough for you anymore?" When he moved to touch Amanda's shoulder, buck did not just growl. He fixed Dodge with a glare and let out another ear-splitting roar, and Dodge jumped back faster than his father had done.
"He'd rather have Rodney with us too, I believe," Amanda repeated with a little grin playing about the edges of her mouth.
"Well, pardon me, your Ladyship," Dodge huffed. As he left, Amanda heard him muttering to his father, "Who died and left her boss? Looks like someone's getting too big for her britches."
"Shut up! And didn't I tell you to stay the hell away from that girl," Landon snapped at his son as they left, and Rodney took his place.
"Is he always such a jerk," Amanda whispered aside to Rodney, stroking big Buck's arm all the while as the gorilla purred at her and stroked the back of her hand with a huge finger. Buck did not seem to mind Rodney standing close to Amanda.
"Yep. And he likes you. That was him on his best behavior," Rodney sighed.
"Buck needs to stretch. He needs to play and get exercise, Rodney," Amanda complained. "Can't we let him out for a while? Please?"
"I know he does, but I can't let him out," Rodney said sadly. "Everyone's afraid he'd hurt us or the other apes."
"But he won't do that," Amanda promised. Buck made a growling, huffing sound, and Amanda gave him a pleading look. "That's not helping, Buck," she gently admonished the big ape.
"So let him out when the others are gone," Amanda suggested, but she could tell by the sound of Rodney's unhappy sigh that it was not going to happen.
"I'm sorry, Buck," Amanda apologized. The huge gorilla gave a low grunt. Amanda could tell that, except for his few outbursts, he was becoming resigned to being locked up in that horrible cage forever. He was starting to give up, and that felt worse than his loneliness.
"Karin's trying to get you out of here, Buck," Amanda insisted. "She won't abandon you. She wanted me to tell you that."
The giant gorilla nodded and heaved a long sigh, and though she spent more than an hour with him, Amanda knew she had not completely convinced him. She lamented that gorillas had to be the most stubborn of all the great apes.
Later in Landon's office, Amanda glared at him across his desk. "Buck needs a bigger cage."
"Yeah, I know he does," Landon agreed as he shuffled papers.
"Well, when's he gonna get one?" Amanda exclaimed.
"Look sweetheart, you break into your piggy bank and give me around a hundred thousand dollars, and we'll build him one."
"Karin Evans already gave you more than that."
She heard the man take in a sharp breath.
"And how'd you know about that?"
"She told me."
"Well, we can't move the world just because Saint Karin Evans wants us too, honey." Landon looked to Franklin. "That woman's a real troublemaker." "You shouldn't let this sweet kid hang out with a woman like her. She's a bad influence."
Amanda drew in a sharp breath but let it out as she changed her tactic at the last minute. "What happened to you, Mr. Landon?" she said softly. "You used to care about those apes. Why don't you anymore?"
"Doesn't she need to get back to school or something?" Landon said wearily to Franklin, ignoring Amanda completely now.
"I don't know. Why don't you ask her. She's sitting right across from you, and she's not deaf, you know," Franklin retorted.
Seeing he would get no help from the man, Landon turned back to Amanda. "Listen, sweetheart—"
"Mr. Landon, my name is Amanda," she interrupted, her blind eyes fixed on his face. They were almost flashing. "If that's too hard for you, then stick with Miss King."
The little girl was livid, and papers on the other side of Landon's desk began to rustle ever so slightly as if moved by a breeze no one could feel. Amanda was normally a sweet quiet girl, polite to adults to a fault, except when apes were being mistreated.
"Very well, Miss King," Landon replied evenly as he stared a little apprehensively at the girl. He put one hand on his paperwork to keep it in place. "I still care, but they aren't people, you know. And I've come to realize that you can't fight the system, and you can't save 'em all. That's something you'd better start thinking about before it's too late, and they drag you down, too. You might want to tell your friend, Miss Evans, what I've said."
Amanda sat still for a long time, taking slow deep breaths to collect herself. Eventually, she shook her head and stood up. "Tell her yourself when she comes to visit buck, and see where you get. And I don't want to think about it, Mr. Landon. Not if that means I'll become hollow and empty like you," she murmured. "Even feeling grief and pain is better than that. Franklin, can we go now, please?" She stretched a hand towards her friend.
"Yeah, I think maybe we'd better. Good day, Mr. Landon."
Amanda took his arm and let him lead her out of the building.
A/N:
Greetings patient readers,
I hope everyone is doing well?
To all my Luca loving readers, don't worry. He will be in the next chapter for sure.
Another ape we all know will be making his first actual appearance in the next chapter. Guess who that might be?
Welcome back to all my faithful readers and any new ones. Special thanks as always goes outto any and all who comment, kudos, or give any other feedback.
happy reading everybody.