Working at Australia Zoo

Family Crisis

I've just been back in New South Wales for a week when my second year at Sydney University begins. While there were advantages to living in a small community, courses resumed as usual, and I reconnected with some of my acquaintances. They all wanted to know whether I met any cute boys, what QLD was like, and what it was like working for the Irwin's. I had just arrived at the principal's office; it seemed that he desired to have a conversation with me. I sat outside his office on a cozy couch while the only sound coming from the office was the tapping of one of the lady's nails on her laptop.

"You can go in now."

Pulling myself together, I opened the door. Upon entering the room, I saw the principal seated behind his desk.

"Miss Carrigan, please take a seat."

I sat nervously in front of his desk.

"Miss Carrigan, there's no need for you to be anxious. Miss Carrigan, I just wanted to say thank you for doing so well on your finals last year. You were the best student in the entire course in every subject, which amazed many people in Queensland."

My next lesson is in ten minutes, and I have to walk there from the office. I'll be courteous, even though I'll be pushing it.

"Thank you"

"You are welcome. Now move quickly. You undoubtedly have class to attend."

With haste, I left the room and hurried across the campus. With a minute to spare, I arrived in the classroom.

Weeks shortly followed days. Robert has told me that he will come see me when he visits NSW, but as of right now, he hasn't had the chance to do so. Even though we still face time together every day, it's not the same as being in the same room as him. On September 16, nevertheless, I had a pleasant surprise. I was working on a large mammal evolution task when I felt my phone vibrating. I didn't get a chance to check my phone till after class and while heading to Luch. It was from Ava.

"Meet baby Sarah."

Beneath that was an image of an obviously weary Ava, fresh out of the delivery room with a little infant in her arms. I texted my congrats right away. I head to my last lesson of the day, but I can't seem to focus completely. My mother demanded that we give her a baby gift basket after I showed her the photo to her parents. My mother didn't seem to worry that it would take around two weeks to arrive because she packed it with Teddy's, Nappy's infant onesies, and a card from all of us.

Everything was going well, but eventually something had to go wrong to depress everyone. This time, it was a call at two in the morning on a Saturday. My grandfather was reportedly taken to the hospital after suffering a heart attack. I now have both of my parents on my left as we wait in the hospital waiting area. The texts between Felix, Chris, Steve, and Mike were sent nonstop. To let her know what had transpired, my mother had contacted my grandma as well. Even though my mother's side grandparents were no longer together, they continued to look out for one another. My parents were seated on the left of Liam and Lia. Sitting to my right were my cousins Jack and Paige, as well as my aunt Rae and uncle Warren.

We have been here for an hour now, and the physicians have not yet responded to us. Robert and Bindi have been messaging me to ask how my grandfather is doing. But because I didn't know much myself, I wasn't able to offer them anything. Before we heard from the doctor, it would take one additional hour. It was around five in the morning. By 3:30, Liam, Lia, Jack, and Paige were all sleeping. Just as my aunt and uncle appeared to be ready to pass out, the doctor entered.

"Are you John Carrigan's family?"

My mum gets up to talk.

"Yes, Warren and I are his children."

"Okay, following a number of tests, we can firmly identify a hearing attack. There doesn't appear to be any long-term harm, but we'd still like to undertake further testing. For at least 72 hours, we would prefer to keep him in for observation."

We took turns going in to see him; he was attached to many machines, but otherwise appeared to be his usual self. Dad drove my brothers and me home because there was no need for us to be at the hospital. We were all able to sleep for a few hours. My phone rang right before I went to bed. Robert had sent out a FaceTime request. I agreed, and the next thing I know, I'm standing in front of a beaming Robert.

"Hey beautiful, how's your grandpa?"

"Well, it was a heart attack, but there's no lasting damage, and they are keeping it for observation."

"That's good news, and I have some good news of my own."

"Really."

"In 3 weeks, I'm going to be doing a segment for Crickey; it's the Irwin's, and guess where I'm going to be."

I'm awake and alert now.

"No way."

"I plan to compile a list of the many birds that call the Monaro region home. Before travelling to New York to participate in Seth Myers' late-night program, I want to spend at least two days in Bombala."

"It's incredible. "Where are you going to stay?"

"There is a hotel in Bombala."

This is incredible. Robert will be visiting Bombala.