Working at Australia Zoo

Back to NSW

It's been a crazy couple of months, to be sure, but May has here. First and foremost, after two days of utter solitude, Ava began communicating to people again. She did inform Jack about the pregnancy, and while we don't discuss that conversation in the building, it's safe to say that Ava and Jack are no longer together, and Jack has requested to be transferred from her dorm hall. Ava was in her fourth month of pregnancy at the time, and she was around 8 weeks along when we went to the doctor. I recall the chat she had when she found out.

"I should have realized there was something wrong." I mean, I kept gaining weight while sticking to my diet and going to the gym. I'm talking about my menstruation. I recognize that my cycles have always been erratic, and that I occasionally miss a month."

After considerable deliberation, she decided to go back live with her parents at the end of the year, mostly so she could obtain care when the baby arrived while still attending college. She chose to retain it after considerable thought.

"If I'm responsible enough to have sex without taking proper precautions, then I'm responsible enough to face the consequences."

That was one of the most responsible statements I'd ever heard her make. We had gotten extremely close in the past several months, primarily because I was the one who accompanied her to OB/GYN visits, days spent giving her crackers and Gatorade when she could not stand from morning sickness. We had become close, which made it difficult to accept that I would not be present for the delivery. My training was drawing to a conclusion; this was my final week, and the following week I would board an aircraft and return to NSW. I hadn't told Robert anything about it, but there was always the unsaid elephant in the room. When we did talk about it, Robert was insistent on doing long distance.

"Chandler and Bindi did it, and it worked, so why can't we?"

Robert is my favorite. I do, and I want to attempt long distance, but there's a part of me that fears that after I'm gone, he'll meet someone who is beautiful and better than me. I'm sitting in the laboratory, finishing my final essay of the year, and I'm about to hand it off to Professor Leah. She gave me a mournful look, which I returned.

This would be my final lesson with her. I took up my bag, cleaned my desk one more time, and walked out of class. I never imagined I'd be where I am now when I moved to Brisbane six months ago.

I'm in a relationship with one of the nicest and most attractive persons I've ever met. I'm in a tight relationship with one of the most loving families there is, and I'd like to stay in Brisbane forever. Bindi sends me an SMS.

'I can't wait to see you tonight.'

The Irwin's were throwing me a farewell 20th birthday bash. My birthday is on Wednesday, and it's Saturday, but by then I'll be on a plane flying back to New South Wales.

Later

I hastily arrange my clothing as I go up the path to the Irwins' house. The door is flung open, and Bindi rushes out. She wraps her arms around me.

"You're finally here."

She drags me into the home. What's within melts my heart; there's a sign that says.

'Happy 20th. We'll miss you.'

Everyone I'd worked with at the zoo was there, including Robert, Chandler, Terri, Mike, Wes, and Dr. Sam. They were all cheering for me. Terri approached me and hugged me.

"We couldn't send you off without throwing a big party."

The huge celebration was spent eating excellent food, unwrapping gifts, and having a fantastic time in general. They even brought out a birthday cake, to which everyone sung happy birthday and I blew out the candles. It was later in the evening, and I was enjoying some alone time when the door opened. Bindi had joined me on the railing.