Sidelined

“Something touristy?” She didn’t have a plan, but spending a day with Ben sounded like a good time.

“Definitely touristy. You know, I’ve never been to the zoo.”

Skye’s mouth dropped. “How is that possible?”

“Because I’m gone all the time on the weekends flying. I don’t have kids. The zoo seems like a family thing, but I’ve always wanted to see what it looks like.”

“If you haven’t been, we are absolutely going. I have a zoo pass.”

Ben laughed. “A zoo pass?”

“Yes, and I can bring a guest.” She beamed. “This is going to be awesome.”

“Alright, the zoo it is.” He sipped from his mug. “But first, can we swing by my place so I can change?” He was wearing his Friday night shirt and pants.

Skye giggled. “I think you should go just like that.”

“Funny. Do you mind giving me a ride?”

“Sure. I’ll shower and then we can go. The morning is the best time to go. We can get there before it gets too crowded.” She watched as he wandered to the window.

She wanted to shower before their day date. This could be her chance to show him she was bold. She was a take-charge kind of woman.

He looked into the courtyard. “Ok, I’ll be out here.”

Skye inhaled sharply. “Any chance you want to join me?” She forced her eyes to stare into his and not drop to the floor. Confidence was in the eyes.

Ben looked surprised. His eyes widened and for a second he didn’t make a sound. “I—uh—I just showered.”

“Right.” Skye shook her head and retreated backward. “Never mind. I’ll just be a few minutes.” She darted to her room.

She heard Ben call over her shoulder, “Skye, that’s not what I meant.”

She closed the door and threw herself on the bed. It was going to take a few minutes to regroup and muster the confidence to face him.

There was a quiet hush that settled over the zoo in the morning. The animals were stirring as they were fed breakfast. The sprinklers watered flowerbeds. Skye thought it was the most beautiful time of the day at the park.

“So this is the famous San Diego Zoo?” Ben seemed to be enjoying their stroll through the lush foliage.

Skye had managed to shed most of the embarrassment from the shower incident. It was humiliating that she asked him to join her, and he turned her down flat. He didn’t seem uncomfortable though, so she tried to keep smiling and enjoying the day with him.

“This is it. What do you think?” They were near the giraffe exhibit.

“It’s pretty incredible. I can see why it’s so famous. But you know I don’t think the animals are really the focus.”

Skye turned toward him. “Really, what is it?”

“I feel like we’re walking around a garden or something and look, there happens to be a lion over there or oh hey, it’s a polar bear.”

She laughed. He was acting out the animals with his hands and mouth. His polar bear imitation was fierce.

She stopped long enough to answer. “Yes, that’s what I feel every time I come here.”

“How often are you at the zoo?”

“Honestly, I had never been here until I started working on the tourism account at work. The zoo is one of the many parts to that campaign, and it was my favorite. I started coming to do research, and it turned into almost a daily trip.”

“Wow, you really like the zoo.”