Tricolored Roses

3.

“The zoo? Don't you think we're a little too old to enjoy the zoo?” Aspen’s tone was skeptical as he saw where I had taken them. I giggled and got out for the car, tugging down the hem of my shorts.

“Who doesn't love the zoo?” Alex asked while he applied sunscreen on his face and neck.

“Me. I don't love the zoo. They're just animals in a cage, if I want to see animals I'll fly out somewhere. Keeping them in a cage is inhumane”, Aspen said, his words sounding annoyed. I smiled, knowing a fact that would help his opinion.

“Well, this zoo happens to be more of a rescue for animals. They help the ones injured because of poachers, the ones that were used for testing in labs, the ones that are unable to survive in the wild. They don't have them in small cages or enclosures either, they have the ones that usually survive in the wild together in larger fenced areas and have been able to basically match their environment. This is the only zoo in Keifer I'll support because they help these animals”, I explained as we headed for the entrance. Aspen's face lifted slightly, although he still seemed apprehensive. We paid for our tickets and got in.

“I want to go see the elephants first, I read they have one that was born without a full trunk and the pictures of him are so insanely adorable”, Alex said, trying to find a picture on his phone. He turned the screen to us and I saw the most adorable baby elephant with a little nub nose. I felt Aspen's hand on my lower back as he leaned to see the picture as well.

“Well, I suppose this place may be an exception to the stigma behind zoos”, he said, smiling at the picture. We got to the exhibit and saw that he wasn't the only one there.

About 5 elephants took up the massive area, along with a few injured or deformed monkeys, several birds, 2 sick baby giraffes with their mother, and a very old lioness that had been declawed by a celebrity. They were all very well taken care of, and Aspen seemed extremely pleased with this. We decided to go see a different enclosure and as we were leaving the area a young boy ran into me sobbing.

“Woah! Are you okay? Where's your mommy?” I said crouching down to his level.

“She's gone! I don't know where she went. I saw the bunny and when I turned around she was gone”, he cried through hiccups. I gently took his hand.

“It's gonna be okay, I'll take you to the front desk so we can get them to call your mommy. Is it okay if I pick you up?” I asked him, holding my hands out to him. He nodded, and I stood placing him up on my hip. We went straight to the front desk near the entrance. A very frantic woman was there crying to the security officer about her child.

“Mommy!” The boy exclaimed, pointing at her. I put him back down on the ground and watched as he ran to her. The woman saw us and narrowed her eyes.

“Did they hurt you Damien? Why are they watching you?” She asked grabbing hold of his arms. He shook his head and looked at me.

“I ran into the nice lady and she brought me here so we could call you. She didn't hurt me”, he said. His mother sighed, her shoulders sagging. She picked him up and came over to me and the boys, who protectively came to either side of me.

“Thank you so much. I'm so sorry if he was any trouble, I swear I turned around for one minute and he was gone. Thank you for helping him”, she said, her voice laced with emotion.

“Of course ma'am, I hope you guys have a great rest of your day”, I said, smiling at her. She thanked me again and turned toward the exit of the zoo. Aspen's phone chimed and he pulled it out of his pocket.

“We’re needed at the office. I'm sorry to cut this short. We can take you to the apartment or back to your car or wherever if you'd like”, He said, giving me a dejected smile. I sighed, nodding.

“My car is still at Nouveau from last night, could you just drop me there?” I asked, trying to mask my disappointment. I was really looking forward to a day with them.

“Yeah baby, come on”, Alex said, pulling his keys from his pocket. We left the zoo, the car silent as we drove to the restaurant. There was tension radiating off of the men in the front seat, both of their jaws tense. As Alex drove Aspen typed away on his phone, big chunks of texts from what I could see.

Alex parked next to my car and I stepped out of the car. Both men rolled their windows down.

“Thank you for this weekend, maybe sometime soon we can do it again”, I said, leaning to kiss Alex. I walked around the car to Aspen's side.

“My turn?” He asked, amusement in his voice. I giggled and rolled my eyes.

“I suppose so. Text me whenever you're done with work, both of you. Bye”, I said, kissing Aspen and stepping away from the car. I got into my own car and watched as they drove out of the parking lot and toward their office. My phone began to ring and the caller ID made me want to chunk the damn thing out the window. I ignored the call and drove home, in desperate need of a nap.