Looking at her, he said, ‘Come closer and hold out the squash.’
A bout of nervousness made her question her rationality, yet she didn’t let it stop her and stepped forward, holding the squash out in front of her. Hugo’s trunk sniffed the squash, and he let out a low blowing sound.
‘Now set it on the floor,’ Drake said.
She carefully lowered the squash onto the ground and took a step back, then another as Hugo moved closer to her offering. He then lifted one of his huge feet and set it atop the gourd. It wasn’t a stomp, but he pressed hard enough on the squash that it split open. Using his trunk, he then picked up pieces, one at atime, and shoved them into his mouth, taking time to chew and swallow between each piece.
Meridith was a bit in awe, yet also very excited. This was not the boring life she was used to. This was fun, thrilling even.
And it was all because of Drake. Looking at him, she returned his smile.
When the pieces of squash were all gone, Hugo let out another blowing sound and suddenly his trunk was wrapped around her shoulders. It happened so quickly she didn’t have time to move. Nor could she, because the way the trunk was wrapped around her was very confining.
‘He’s giving you a hug to say thank you,’ Drake said.
‘Oh.’ Doing her best to remain calm, Meridith ran a hand down a section of Hugo’s trunk. ‘You’re welcome, Hugo.’
When nothing more happened, for what felt like an eternity, she whispered, ‘How long do his hugs last?’
Drake chuckled. ‘As long as he wants them to.’
‘Oh,’ she replied.
‘Don’t worry,’ Drake said. ‘You’ll get used to it.’
‘You don’t say?’
Drake knew he shouldn’t be enjoying this as much as he was, but it was impossible not to react to the thrill in Meridith’s eyes. She was adventurous. Brave, too. Though, of course, Hugo wouldn’t hurt her or anyone; Drake had full confidence in that. The elephant knew who fed him, and now that Meridith had joined that list, she and Hugo would be friends.
Just as she and Drake were friends.
He’d looked forward to seeing her again today, and after a considerable amount of contemplating why he felt that way, he’d concluded that it was because there was no pressure between the two of them. Neither of them expected anything more thanfriendship. Well, Drake was also hoping that she would gain some confidence and perhaps embrace the adventurous side he knew she possessed. He’d seen it when she’d cut the bustle off.
Seeing her receive a solid hug from Hugo was amusing and heartwarming. The elephant had been patiently waiting for his treat. There was another squash in the storeroom for later. He’d brought them just for this purpose, so Meridith could give them to Hugo.
He let the hug last for a bit longer, before he tapped the back of Hugo’s front leg. ‘All right, there, big boy, let the lady go. It’s time for you to go outside. You have a large group of admirers today.’
Hugo lifted his trunk and draped it around Drake’s shoulders for a moment. Laughing, he told Meridith, ‘He likes hugs.’
‘I can tell,’ she replied.
‘He won’t step on you,’ Drake said as he took a hold of her hand to guide her out of the way. ‘But just to be safe, walk over here. Always keep me between you and him.’ Once she was at a safe distance, he tapped Hugo behind the front leg, to guide the elephant where he wanted him to go. ‘And, if he ever starts to run, don’t chase him.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because there are two things he’ll do, either run faster or turn around and charge you, neither of which are good scenarios.’
‘I’ll remember that. Is there anything else I should know? Should be aware of?’ she asked as they all three walked in a half circle so they were facing the big door that would take them outside.
He was so used to Hugo that he had to take a moment to think about what he’d learned while first befriending the ten-thousand-pound animal. ‘He minds well, so there is nothing to be afraid of, but I’ll also warn you to stay back when he drinks water.’
‘Why is that?’
‘Because elephants drink by sucking water up in their trunks and then squirting it into their mouths, and he can be a bit of a prankster every now and again.’
‘What do you mean? A prankster?’
‘I mean at times he’ll squirt the water at those around him rather than into his mouth, and I swear, when he does that, he laughs. He thinks it’s the most amusing trick ever conceived. Unless he’s angry. Then there’s more pressure behind the water and his aim is impeccable.’
