Zoo Madness

Date: November 5

     Hazel usually spent her weekends at the stables, caring for the horses so that she could compete on the equestrian team in the spring. Her favorite steed was a stallion named Arion, a brown beauty who was as spirited on the tracks as he was with his voice. Percy had met him once and joked that if Arion was a human, he would be reprimanded daily for cussing.

    This Sunday, however, Hazel was waiting for Frank to pick her up. On Friday he had asked her if she wanted to go to the zoo on the weekend and she had agreed. Yesterday she had spent nine hours at the stables instead of her usual four since she wasn't going today. She had also spent a few hours on her homework and was glad to be done with Mr. Blofis's essay.

    Hazel put some serum in her hair to help with the frizz and then put it into a bun. She heard the doorbell ring and quickly put on some sneakers. She tore downstairs, opened the door, and smiled at Frank.

    "You ready?" Frank asked.

    "Oh gods," Hazel said. "I forgot my phone. Hold on."

   She ran back up the stairs and picked up the phone on her bed. Her brother was over at Will's house today and her parents were busy running the funeral home. If she forgot her phone, they might just send her to the morgue. 

   "Sorry about that," Hazel said as she followed Frank to his grandmother's car.

   "Hazel, this is my grandmother," Frank said.

    "Are you the young lady who will wed my foolish grandson?" his grandmother asked as Hazel climbed into the back of the car beside Frank.

    Hazel felt her face warm and she said, "I don't think Frank is foolish. He is very sweet."

   "Your girlfriend speaks her own mind," Frank's grandmother noted. "She's a good match for you."

    Hazel started to fan herself. Beside her, Frank was turning as red as pizza sauce. The rest of the car ride was awkward. Frank's grandmother kept talking about how she was proud of her grandson for finally getting a strong woman by his side.

    "He needs a spirited girlfriend," Frank's grandmother said as she pulled into the zoo parking lot.

   "Grandma, Hazel isn't my girlfriend," Frank said.

    "She should be," Frank's grandmother said with a snort as she parked the car. "Go do your thing kids. I'm going to stay in the car. A young gentleman wants to call me and ask for advice on world domination."

    "Sorry about my grandmother," Frank said as they bought their tickets.

   "Why?" Hazel asked. "She's great. A bit too straightforward, but very friendly."

    "Well, I'm sorry that she keeps acting like we're dating," Frank said, scratching his back.

   "Maybe she can see the future," Hazel said.

    Frank blushed madly. Hazel was afraid that she was being too straightforward with him. She wanted this zoo visit to be fun instead of embarrassing. 

    "Oh look!" Hazel said, "the spider monkeys are playing together!"

    It was true. They were frolicking around their enclosure. Hazel never seen such energetic creatures. As they moved from exhibit to exhibit, Hazel and Frank oohed and ahhed at the animals. Frank's favorite was the elephant named Hannibal, while Hazel liked the Przewalski's horses best. The entire time, Hazel felt like she had swallowed a piece of the sun. What else could explain her happiness?