Linda's Story

Lost At The Zoo

Linda woke up early that Saturday morning- she was just so excited! She was really going to go to the zoo and see the baby elephants! She jumped out of bed and ran to her closet, picking out the perfect outfit. She chose red shorts and her white Save The Elephants T-shirts, with her white sneakers. She tied her hair in two high pigtails- elephant ears- quickly made her bed and grabbed Ellie the Elephant.

She walked down the stairs, deciding on cereal and orange juice for breakfast. After her food was eaten and all the orange juice was out of the glass, she put her dishes in the sink, then headed upstairs to Jimmy's room. She wasn't aware if it, but there would come a time when she wouldn't barge into Jimmy's room, and he wouldn't barge into hers. She had no idea that would start in two years.

"Jimmy!" She whispered, hovering by his bedside. "Jimmy, wake up!"

"Wha'?" He rolled over, rubbed his eye. It was too early- what time was it anyways?

"Get up! We're going to the zoo!"

Jimmy looked at the clock on his bedside table. "Not at 7:00! The zoo isn't open until ten thirty!"

"That's two and a half hours away!" She pouted and dropped her head, letting an annoyed groan come out of her mouth.

"It'll go by fast- you'll see!"

She only walked out of his room, muttering how that two and a half hours was much too long to wait.

**********

Linda stood on the corner of their driveway, impatiently bouncing as she waited for Lance and Rodney. She had said her goodbyes to her family, grabbed her sunglasses and little purse from the car, and had planted herself in the short driveway. "Are we gonna get lunch, Jimmy?"

He yawned, "yeah. Dad gave us money to get whatever we wanted."

"Whatever we want?"

"Within reason. He's not gonna let you buy an actual elephant."

"Aw," she sighed. "When are they gonna get here?"

"Soon. Cool the jets, Half Pint."

"I don't have jets."

Jimmy lightly tugged on her pigtail, "it's an expression."

"Oh...." she nodded, then pointed down the street. "They're here, they're here!"

**********

Jimmy, Lance, Rodney, and Linda grabbed lunch first, then went into the zoo. They didn't stay together- it wasn't necessary once they were there- so Lance and Rodney went in the opposite direction. Linda and Jimmy went to see the tigers first, because, as much as Linda wanted to see the elephants, she wanted to save the best for last.

The tigers were beautiful, the lions were majestic, and the bears were kind of scary. Linda didn't like the bears. "Can we get a snack, Jimmy? I want ice cream."

He nodded, grabbed her hand. "Sure. What flavor do you want?"

"Chocolate!"

They got their ice cream, and sat on a bench to eat it. While they were eating their sugary treat, a friend of Jimmy's spotted them and came to chat. While he and Jimmy yakked on, Linda decided to look at some animals on her lonesome. She decided she'd only be ten minutes, enough time for Jimmy not to worry.

***********

It probably wasn't the best idea to go off like that, away from Jimmy, but something caught her eye, and before she knew it, she was swept away by the crowds. She found herself in front of the monkey exhibit, watching them play with each other.

"Jimmy, look at the monkeys!" Linda pointed to the brown animals, not realizing her brother wasn't with her. She looked around, wondering where her brother went. "Jimmy?"

Hadn't she told him she was going to see the monkeys? Surely she did.... didn't she? She shrugged and remembered what her Dad said, "if you're ever lost, plant your butt down, and stay the hell put. Someone will find you". So that's exactly what she did; she found a bench and planted herself on it, waiting for Jimmy or Lance or Rodney.

"Hey," a nice looking kid smiled at her.

"Hi."

"Whatcha doin'?"

"Waiting."

"Waiting?"

"For my brother. Or his friends." She didn't move a muscle when he sat down next to her. "I'm a little lost.... are you lost? Where's your Mom or Dad?"

He pointed to a group of people; Linda saw a tall man, a short woman, a boy and a girl, and a fussing baby. "They said I could sit while they quiet my baby brother."

"He looks new."

"Three months. He's a pain... do you have a sister or a younger brother?"

"Older sister and brother."

He pointed to her T-shirt, "save the elephants, huh?"

"Yes. We need to save the elephants."

Suddenly the girl Linda had seen earlier ran up to them, and nearly demanded, "Mom says It's time to go home."

"Okay," he slid from the bench. "Bye."

"Bye," she smiled and waved. He was really nice! And what was that warm feeling in her chest? She watched them go, and then sighed. Where was Jimmy?

"Linda!" Jimmy came running up to her.

She jumped down and was engulfed in a hug.

"Don't do that! Do you know what Mom and Dad would do if I lost you? Do you know how I'd feel if I lost you?"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I just wanted to see the koalas! I was gonna be right back, but then the- the crowd, and- and- and," she started stuttering, which meant she was close to tears.

Jimmy softened, "just don't do it again, okay? Stay with me. Jake and I coulda talked and walked."

She nodded, "I'm sorry, Jimmy. I won't do it again."

He only sighed and took her hand. "I think that's enough excitement for one day." It was already almost five o'clock. "Let's look at the elephants and go."

"Okay, Jimmy."

**********

"So how was the zoo?" Marni asked as Linda set the table. "Oh, don't set one for your father. He's at the office tonight."

"Again?" Linda didn't mean to snark, but it just came out. Tony had been at the office every night that week.

"Don't use that tone with me, young lady."

"Yes Ma'am," Linda muttered, plunking down a fork.

Dinner was quiet, and Wendy had left in the middle of it. After dinner, while Jimmy and Linda cleaned the dishes, she told him, "thanks for taking me to the zoo today."

"Sure thing, Half Pint," he ruffled her hair and gave her a smile. She had no idea days like today were numbered.