I glanced down at her kids. Aleena put a hand on each of their heads.
“Yes. Kira and Theo. We call him Squeaky, because he screeches like a banshee when he doesn’t get his way.” Kiralooked up at me with inquisitive, owl-like eyes. If I had to guess, I thought she looked around four. Her younger brother didn’t even seem to register my presence; he was completely invested in a small pot and wooden spoon he’d brought from inside the house.
“Nice cookware,” I said.
Aleena sighed. “I tried to take it from him, but…the banshee. Good luck.” Then, pointedly, she added, “Auntie Ruby promised to take them to the zoo today so everyone isveryexcited.”
“Everyone times two!” Ophelia said, punching her hands in the air. “Zoo day! Woohoo!”
I didn’t know how, after the night we had, she still had energy to amp up the kids. But she did. It wasn’t hard to see why they loved Auntie Ruby.
“Okay,” Aleena said, “Mommy’s late. Hugs, hugs.”
Her kids swarmed her and she rewarded them with kisses and hugs.
Ophelia bumped her shoulder into mine. She dropped her voice so the conversation stayed between us. “You really don’t have to stay. I know this isn’t your thing.”
My eyebrows knitted. “What isn’t my thing?”
“You know…” She motioned to the kids.
Ah. She thought since I didn’t have any, I must not like kids.
“I like kids,” I told her. “They don’t like me.”
“Why not?” Kira said, squirming out of her mother’s hold to better eavesdrop on our conversation.
I crouched down so I was level with her. “I’m too serious.”
“I’mtoo serious,” Kira commiserated. “Mommy says it’s a sign of intelligence.”
“What about you, Squeaky?” I asked the boy. “Are you serious?”
“Mm. Blow.” Squeaky took his wooden spoon and held it up to my mouth. I blew on the imaginary food and pretended to take a bite.
“Hmm. Needs salt.”
“Salt! Order up!” Squeaky shouted, and began to mix the spoon into the empty pot.
“Alright! I’m out.” Aleena kissed Ophelia’s cheek. “Be good!” She looked at me and Ophelia when she said it, though, not the kids.
I gave Ophelia a questioning look. Ophelia claps her hands together.
“Who’s ready for an adventure?”
The four of us took the subway to Pelham Station. Kira spent the whole time talking my ear off about her current interests. And—actually. They were pretty interesting. She knew more about reptiles, for example, than anyone else I knew. I listened, never interrupting, and only occasionally butting in to ask a question that launched her down another rabbit hole. With Kira engaged, Ophelia spent her time trying to strong arm Squeaky into the seat, who seemed intent on pressing his face against the scratched-up subway window. Finally, we exited the hot confines of the subway and…
Daylight. Sweet, rare daylight. Even I had to admit it. It was a beautiful day for the zoo.
Summer was in full force, cherry blossoms and daffodils bursting pops of purple, pink, and white. I paid our tickets before Ophelia had the chance to protest and we walked the brick pathway teeming with children. Kira and Squeak bolted, heading straight for the bronze rhino statues.
I kept my eyes on the kids. Instinctively, my hand moved to the small of Ophelia’s back, guiding her through the crowd. I caught a smile from her and she hooked her arm in mine, brushing against me.
We made too natural a couple.
“When was the last time you took a trip to the zoo?” she asked.
“Sea lion bite.”
