64 Damn Prompts

Seize the Day

A petting zoo was not what Dan had expected when Phil had announced that they would ‘go out’ and ‘make something of the day’, yet he found himself standing next to a fence with sheep on the other side among a herd of small children. Phil seemed over the moon, petting a cat which was lying on a picnic bench, dozing lazily in the warm sun. Spring in England brought mediocre weather, which was welcomed by the people and animals as though they hadn’t felt warmth since the Cold War.

Today was the first day of the year that was too warm for a black shirt, Dan had decided that morning. And so he was wearing that shirt with the cats that both his subscribers and Phil loved a lot. Only now was he realising that he seemed like he had dressed for the occasion, matching with the animals around him.

He tore off another piece of the slice of bread in his hand and tossed it to the sheep, which piled up to get to it. The warmth of the sun and the repetitiveness of his task made that he started daydreaming and nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt hands on his waist.

“Jesus Christ, Phil.” He complained.

“Shh, there’s children around. Mind your language.” Phil muttered. He kissed Dan’s cheek and stepped out beside him. “Are you having fun?”

Dan shrugged, “It’s been a while since I’ve been to a petting zoo. Can’t say I’ve missed it but it’s alright. I like sheep.” He vaguely waved in the general direction of said sheep.

“We could borrow Sam sometime, take him here.”

“Your cousin’s son Sam?”

“Yeah.”

“People would think we’re his parents or something.” Dan said. He gave up on the bread and tossed the entire slice over the fence.

“So?”

“I don’t know.” Dan admitted, “What if someone sees us?’

“Dan you’re thinking too much. Anyway, I was trying to get you to stop stressing by taking you here. Forget what I said, okay? Let’s go see the guinea pigs.”
Dan was in no mood to insist on continuing the conversation so he just nodded and followed Phil into the stables.

The guinea pigs took his mind of the matter soon enough. The rodents were running around on a large demarcated table, chasing each other and hiding in the tiny houses. Two little kids had climbed up on stools so they could reach them. As they stood and watched, a third child, who’d been standing with the bunnies on the other side of the room, approached and tried to push his way through Dan and Phil.

“Hey buddy.” Phil said as he stepped aside to let him through.

“Hello.” The kid said, paying no further attention to him. He jumped up and down to try and see the guinea pigs, until Dan offered to lift him up.

“Very high.” The boy agreed.

“Definitely.” Dan carefully picked him up so the boy could pet one of the guinea pigs.

“My mum says I can’t have a guinea pig, but I think I can take one under my shirt.” The boy announced.

“Really? They make a lot of noise though, don’t you think your mum would notice?”
The boy thought about that for a second, “No, I would make a lot of noise too so she wouldn’t hear.”
“Excellent plan.” Dan said thoughtfully.

When they left the stables Dan seemed in thought. “We could.” He said eventually.

It took Phil a second to realise Dan was talking to him, “We could what?”

“Take Sam here.” Dan replied, “Let him play with the guinea pigs and stuff.”

Phil stopped walking and smiled, “Really?”

“Yeah,” Dan said.

Phil didn’t reply, just leaned in to kiss him.