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“I was planning to try out my new camera today,” Zyr said. “The zoo sounds like an amazing place to do it. Mind if I tag along?”
April glanced worriedly at Bo. She was here for her, not to socialize with other people. But the zoo was open to the public, and literally right across the street, so she couldn’t exactly say no.
And she wouldn’t want to hurt Mrs. Ginger’s feelings. The poor woman was hanging on the man’s every word, clearly hoping to play the matchmaker.
“Yes,” Bo answered before April had the chance.
“Sure,” April echoed. “But no pictures of us, right Bo?”
“Really?” he asked. “You don’t want a free memory of your day?”
“Really,” she said. “Bo’s father wouldn’t want her to be photographed.”
Of course, April had her own reasons for keeping a low profile. But there was no need to mention that.
“Understood,” he said. “You two are not my models.”
She nodded to him, and he jogged out in front of them to open the doors.
“Bye, Mrs. Ginger,” Bo yelled out as they followed.
“Have fun, dear,” Mrs. Ginger called back to her.
* * *
A few hours later,the three of them were sitting on a park bench with ice cream cones, exhausted. They had seen at least a third of the exhibits, with Zyr snapping photos all along the way.
“Remember the ice horses?” Bo asked rapturously, taking a lick of her ice cream, while the rest of it melted down her little hand.
“Sure do,” April said. “They were amazing.”
She was debating inwardly whether she should celebrate Bo eating ice cream, or chastise herself for ruining the little one’s dinner.
“We have to get home though, so we can start cooking supper,” she said. “Do you want to heat up leftover lasagna, or make soup for dinner, Bo?”
Bo frowned, and April braced herself for a tantrum. Obviously, no child wanted to leave the zoo.
“Soup,” Bo decided, and hopped off the bench.
April was so proud she barely resisted the urge to sweep her up in a hug and spin her around.
“I like that idea,” April said. “Yes, let’s go make some soup. But first we have to rinse off your hand.”
She pointed to the drinking fountain next to the bench.
Bo obligingly went over and took a long drink, then got enough water on her hands to remove the stickiness.
“You two sure stay busy,” Zyr said.
“There’s lots to do,” April agreed, heading over to Bo and taking one wet little hand.
“I’ll walk back with you,” he said. “You guys need help with all your winnings.”
Though the zoo in the Old Earth picture book April loved as a child had been like a museum mixed with a farm, this one had carnival elements, including games of skill and chance and even some rickety looking rides she had distracted Bo from noticing.
Captain Rivvor might not want Bo having a real pet, but April hoped he didn’t have any issues with plush pets.
Because between the three of them, they had won an armload.
