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“What’s your favorite animal?” I nod toward the park and she smiles, but this time she doesn’t try to hide it.
“Definitely the sloths.”
“Because they like to sleep?” I chuckle, and she nods.
“They are just so chill. They like being cozy and I really respect that.”
“I can tell.” I look over at her sweatshirt and raise an eyebrow.
“Oh, so yeah, about that—”
“I wish I would have worn one.”
“Really? You don’t strike me as the sweats and chill kind of guy.”
The sun shines through the canopy of trees and I see streaks of auburn in her dark hair. “I wear a suit for the office, but I hate it.”
“That doesn’t sound like fun. Why work somewhere doing something you hate?”
“Family obligation?” I shrug as we walk a little farther down the path. “But I do know that as soon as I get these last few things settled I’m stepping back.”
“For someone else to take over?” She looks up at me and there’s genuine curiosity in her eyes.
“No, I think I’m ready for it to become something else.” I squeeze her hand. “Tell me about you. Do you get to be cozy all day?”
Now it’s her turn to laugh as we walk over to a bench and take a seat. I don’t let go of her hand as I turn my body to face her as she talks.
“I’m a kindergarten teacher, so yeah, I guess I get to have fun most of the time.”
“Do you like kids?” I try not to think about the implications of her answer, but instead enjoy just being next to her.
“I love them.” She blushes as she looks down at our joined hands and then quickly away. “I don’t think we’re supposed to talk about this on a first date, but yeah, I love babies and children. It’s the reason I became a teacher.”
“We can talk about whatever we want on a first date.” I reach over and brush a stray hair out of her face and place it behind her ear. “What do you like most about being a teacher?”
“Feeling like I’m making a difference in the world.” She shrugs. “Seeing the kindness in my kids helps me see kindness in others. And they see the world through innocent eyes.”
“I like that.”
I ask her question after question about her work and where she went to school. She talks excitedly about certain kids in her class and funny things that have happened to her. There is a fire inside of her that makes me feel warm. She has a passion for life that I’ve yet to taste and the longer I sit with her, the fuller I feel. I didn’t know how hungry I was until she stepped in front of me, and suddenly I feel starved for it all. For her touch, her smile, her words.
The sound of someone walking up to us startles me and I realize I’ve forgotten the time. My driver is here carrying a picnic basket over one arm and a blanket over the other.
“Arrangements have been made, sir.” He nods as I take the things from him and he walks away.
Once again I grab Brooklyn’s hand, but this time I ask instead of demand. “Shall we?”
“Can we go into the zoo? I think it’s already closed.”
I wink at her as I tug on her hand and we walk toward the entrance. There’s a young woman in a khaki uniform waiting for us as we approach.
“Mr. Belmont?” she asks, and I nod. “Welcome, where would you like to dine this evening?”
I look at Brooklyn and then smile. “How about in front of the sloths?”
“Perfect, right this way.”
Brooklyn leans in close to me as the park worker goes ahead of us.
“Are we seriously allowed to do this?” she whispers, but I can feel her excitement.
“Your wish is my command.” I let go of her hand and wrap my arm around her waist so she stays at my side.
When we get to the sloth enclosure I see that an area has been set up close by for us to use. I let go of Brooklyn as I spread out the blanket on the grassy lawn and place the picnic basket down on top of it. We take a seat on the blanket, and when she looks up she gasps.
“What?” I look around like maybe she sat on something sharp.
“I see them!” she squeals and then covers her mouth quickly. “Oh god, I didn’t mean to scare them.”
I laugh as I watch her eyes widen in both excitement and pleasure. The park attendant comes over and places a battery-powered lantern on our blanket for us.
“These are our sloths Mango and Rocky. Normally sloths don’t have mated life pairs, but these two were rescued from the wild together and brought to us for medical treatment. We’ve tried to introduce other females to Rocky, but he’s only got eyes for Mango.” Brooklyn makes a little soft sound like she’s loving this story. “Every time we brought in another female, Rocky threw a fit. We are a sanctuary for these animals while they rehabilitate and we hope one day to be able to release them back into their natural habitat.”
