30 Days Too Late

The Day Before

Rudy

"Rose, you're annoying," I say.

"But you guys are so cute. Holding hands on the bus," she makes a weird face.

"Whatever," I stand up and pull Dex along with me down the bus aisle. "Why did you want to come to the zoo anyway?" I ask her.

"Being a chaperone is so much fun, especially the free lunch," she pats my head.

"That's nice," Dex smiles at her.

"You don't understand. She just wants free food," I tell him.

"Dex, you're so cute and nice. I'll buy you something special from the gift shop," she picks him up. "Isn't this exciting!?" she shakes him.

"Put him down," I cross my arms.

"Yes, it is exciting," he says quietly. Rose sets him down, and Dex holds my sleeve.

"This way, everyone," I hear our teacher. We hold up our wristbands before entering the zoo.

"The bus was so loud," Marco walks over.

"I wanted to nap," I say back.

"Sup, Dex," he waves.

"Hey," Dex answers, gripping my arm tighter.

"Rose, let's go," I start walking.

"Okay!" she celebrates. "I want to see the lions. What do you want to see?" I glance down at Dex.

"I want cotton candy," he smiles.

"What about the animals?" I laugh.

"Hawks," he points to the exhibit. I tug at Rose's arm and tell her we want to go in.

"They'll put one on your arm," I say.

"Here, you guys use this," she hands over a bag of birdseed. "Cup your hands," I command. I pour some in, and his face lights up. I watch him walk over to the small birdcage. Baby birds feed from his hands, his laugh is loud.

"Isn't this awesome?" he looks at me.

"Very," I nod my head. A large hawk lands on top of the cage, and it scares Dex.

"This is Valheim," the attendant announces. Dex runs and hugs me tight.

I wrap my arm around his neck, feeling protective. "You wanted to see the hawk," I say. His head turns to look, and I can feel his heart beating fast.

"They're much bigger up close," he's surprised.

"Do you want the hawk to land on your arm?" the attendant asks Dex.

"Yes!" he lets go of me. The attendant slides the glove on him.

"Oh my god, his mom would love this," Rose takes out her phone. The hawk lands on the glove, its claws are large.

"Cool, huh," the attendant says. He whistles, and the bird returns to its cage up high.

"I want a pet hawk one day," Dex says to me.

"As long as you don't give it a weird name," I laugh. He nods and takes my hand, ready to leave.

"Okay boys, let's go," Rose claps her hands.

"Where to next, Rose?" Dex asks.

"Wherever you boys want. Ooh, I know! The monkeys," she points to the map.