Chapter 10

~Wednesday July 09, 2025~

The weather forecast was correct, there were nonstop thunderstorms from dawn until dusk. Fortunately, Sphinx treated their employees like people and allowed flexible working. Everyone chose to work from home, including The Gang of Eight and Logan Barrett. Megan was also taking the opportunity to work from her couch in her pajamas. She and Penelope both worked from Megan’s place while taking turns playing with Carter.

“I missed you today,” Theo said into his phone while laying in bed.

“Of course you did, I’m fuckin’ awesome!” Sienna giggled from her own bed.

“Not the response I was hoping for, but I can’t argue with that,” he chuckled.

“I missed you, dummy,” she shifted in bed while putting her auburn hair into a ponytail.

“You’re going to the office tomorrow, right?” he wondered.

“Yup!” she confirmed. “I love being able to work from home, but some days it’s nice to go in. I was alone all day.”

“Did you work in your room?” Theo asked. “Noah and I spent most of the day in the living room.”

“I moved around a bit,” Sienna answered, pushing a couple of her stuffed animals out of the way so she could get more comfortable. “Kitchen, living room. The best part was not having to wear a bra.”

“Mm, what are you wearing now?” he inquired slyly.

“Why do guys ask girls what they’re wearing as if they hang around in sexy lingerie all day?” Sienna snorted. “I’m in my giraffe onesie, what are you wearing?”

“Uh, I’m just wearing sweatpants,” Theo mumbled. “Is that really what you’re wearing?”

“Nah,” she laughed. “I have pink pajama bottoms on and a white t-shirt. Oh, and fuzzy pink socks to keep my feet warm.”

“Do you have a giraffe onesie?” he couldn’t help but ask.

“Maybe, maybe not,” she said, turning her body sideways while keeping the phone to her face. “Now, stop being a perv and talk to me. It’s not like it would matter even if I was naked; you can’t see me!”

“We can switch to a video call,” Theo reasoned.

“Keep dreaming, buddy,” Sienna giggled, making Theo smile. He loved that giggle. “Ever since the wristy, you’ve gotten a lot more bold.”

“Wristy?” he repeated in confusion.

“It’s a slang term for a handjob,” the redhead explained. “I’m honestly shocked you’ve never heard of it.”

“Maybe it’s actually you who’s the perv,” he suggested.

“Perhaps,” she replied primly. “But I’m a pretty girl, every guy would love it if I was a pervert.”

“You pretty girls have it so easy,” Theo grumbled. “No hot chick ever had to sit all alone at lunch in high school.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” Sienna said sincerely.

“It comes with being the school weirdo,” he replied. “I was lucky I found Noah in college. Although, living vicariously through him was its own kind of torture.”

“You’re not a weirdo,” she responded sweetly. “You just think a little different from other people. I, ah, I did some reading on autism.”

“Oh yeah?” Theo asked. “What did you find out?”

“A bunch of things, actually,” Sienna answered. “I know social interaction is tough for you and you often like being alone. It makes sense. It was never so much what you said that annoyed people, it’s that you picked the wrong time. Or didn’t know someone well enough to say something.”

“I do love my alone time,” he chuckled. “But, yeah, I have been working on being more careful, but it’ll always be tough for me. Just like eye contact. I suck at job interviews, I can’t believe Sphinx ever hired me.”

“Ew, I never thought of that. Job interviews must be a special kind of hell for you,” Sienna winced in sympathy before continuing. “I found stimming interesting. I know it can be motions or sounds, but you seem to mainly use motions.”

“Right, some people even sing as a form of stimming,” Theo agreed. “I rock back and forth. I used to do it in the car when I was a kid. My mom complained the entire car was rocking.”

“That’s actually adorable,” Sienna giggled cutely.

“Thank you for not judging me,” he suddenly said, overwhelmed that she was treating him so well.

“I would never do that,” she insisted. “Yeah, I got annoyed with you when you made everything a joke, but I never hated you or anything. I know this is hard for you, and I appreciate the effort you’re putting in.”

“Thank you,” Theo repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you so much.”

“I’ll be honest, I was surprised to feel a spark between us, but I did feel it.” the redhead explained. “And I still do.”

“D-does that mean you might want to, ah, you know, be an official couple?” Theo stammered nervously.

“I think so, but I don’t want to get together over the phone, it’s not romantic!” Sienna replied, and Theo could practically hear her smiling. “You still owe me another date, mister. Ask me again then.”

“I like that plan,” he laughed. “When did you wanna go out?”

“Hm, I’m not sure,” she mused. “Maybe not this weekend. I’m hanging out with the girls on Saturday and spending Sunday with my parents.”

“Okay, we’ll see what next weekend looks like then,” Theo agreed.

“Shit, next Thursday is Camilla’s birthday,” Sienna grumbled. “We still haven’t planned anything.”

“I still have to get her a gift,” Theo sighed. “And I have no idea what we’re gonna do.”

“Just as long as she doesn’t want to get male strippers,” Sienna laughed.

“Not interested?” he questioned.

“I don’t want some strange guy’s junk in my face!” she exclaimed. “No, thank you.”

“Good to know,” he replied.

“Well, we’ll figure out our date and Camilla’s birthday later,” she insisted. “What are you doing this weekend?”

“I’ll be spending Saturday with Noah and Conner. Since Steven is going to the zoo with Megan and her son.” Theo answered.

“I’d say that’s a nice family outing, but apparently a socialite friend of Megan’s is going with them,” Sienna commented.

“Yeah, Steven’s really living the high life now,” Theo observed. “He met a ton of famous people at that charity event, and even I can tell Megan wants him bad.”

“I’m convinced he already got himself some rich-girl snatch,” Sienna said.

“He slept with Megan?!” Theo gasped.

“I don’t know anything for sure!” she laughed. “Don’t tell anyone, alright? It’s just a hunch. I mean, the way those two look at each other? The chemistry is so fucking obvious.”

“I won’t tell anyone,” he promised, only speaking up again after a few moments of silence. “I should probably get to bed. The sooner I fall asleep, the sooner I get to wake up and see you.”

“Aw, that was really sweet!” Sienna gushed as she laid back in bed. “But, I was actually hoping you could help me with something first.”

“Sure, what’s up?” Theo inquired.

“Well,” Sienna began, drawing out the word in a sexy purr, “I’ve been alone all day and I’m feeling stressed. What do you think I should do to relax?”

“W-what?” he stammered in a high-pitched voice.

“I’m laying in bed and I just pushed the blanket down,” she explained. “I’m just not sure the best way to relax. I don’t feel like getting up, but I’m still feeling restless.”

“Uh...” Theo trailed off stupidly.

“I’m suggesting phone sex,” Sienna took pity on Theo and told him. “My nipples are really hard and ready to go. Maybe you might like to tell me what I should do?”

“You should tease yourself,” Theo whispered as he felt himself hardening. “Trace your finger around your nipple without quite touching it.”

“Mm, feels good,” Sienna moaned softly. “What should I do now?”

“L-lift up your shirt?” he suggested nervously. Then he swallowed as he gathered his courage. Confidence. She wanted confidence. “Lift your shirt and get your brea, uh, tits out.”

“Yes, sir,” the redhead purred, yanking her t-shirt up to her neck. “They are out!”

“Play with them,” Theo instructed.

“Let me put you on speaker phone so I have both hands free,” Sienna said before doing just that. “Ready, how should I play with my titties? Be specific.”

“Touch them, caress them,” he replied quietly. “Feel them in your hands, squeeze them together.”

“I’m holding my tits together, they look so big on my small body,” she moaned softly. “I think you’d like the freckles on my boobs. Oh, my nipples are so hard.”

“Roll your nipples between your fingers,” Theo ordered.

“Yes, I’m doing it,” Sienna gasped. “It feels so good, I’m getting wet.”

“I’m hard just thinking about this and hearing your voice,” he told her, also putting the call on speaker.

“Mm, is your cock nice and hard for me?” the redhead husked while tugging on her nipples. “Is that throbbing dick straining in your sweatpants?”

“Yes,” he hissed.

“Take it out for me,” Sienna ordered. “Take your cock out.”

“Okay,” he nodded even though she couldn’t see him. Then he quickly pushed down his pants and underwear, freeing his erection. “It’s out for you. I’m so hard.”

“Stroke it for me,” she growled passionately. “Think about me while you jack off.”

“You’re so beautiful, Sienna,” Theo moaned while playing with himself.

“I love when you say my name,” she gasped. “My pussy is soaked for you.”

“Do you want to touch yourself?” he asked.

“Yes!” Sienna hissed. “Mm, does that make me a bad girl?”

“It definitely makes you a sexy girl,” Theo laughed nervously and took his shot. “Push your pants and underwear down.”

“Done!” she declared after complying. “I’m soaked, can I please touch my pussy?”

“Run your fingers along your slit,” he requested.

“Mm, I’m so wet,” Sienna moaned. “Are you stroking?”

“Yes, while thinking about you,” Theo answered. “Push two fingers inside.”

“I’m fingering myself now, it feels so good,” the redhead gasped, a strand of hair over her face. “Are you imagining my naked body? Do you wanna touch me?”

“You have such an amazing body, I want to touch you so badly,” he groaned, his cock throbbing. “Rub your clit before pushing your fingers as deep as you can.”

“Oh God, I wish there was something longer and thicker inside me,” Sienna groaned, arching her back. “Mm, would you get on top of me and put your cock in me? Or would you want to be really dirty and shove it down my throat?”

“Both,” Theo gasped after a couple minutes of the two of them moaning while breathing heavily. “I want to feel your mouth on me, I want to be inside you.”

“Mm, I’ll get you nice and hard with my little mouth,” Sienna gasped while rubbing her clit. “Then maybe you can bend me over and do me like a dog? Would you like that, hm? Do you want to fuck me from behind?”

“Yes, I want to fuck you! I want you, Sienna!” Theo exclaimed, his hand a blur on his dick. “Pinch your nipple while you finger yourself.”

“I’m close! I’m gonna cum soon!” she announced, her hips bucking against her fingers. “I’m gonna cum for you!”

“I’m close, too,” he warned.

“Where, ah, do you wanna cum?” Sienna gasped. “Do you wanna, ah, cover my face and tits? Shoot it down my throat? Cum in my pussy? Oh God, I’m gonna cum! Ah, maybe, ah, you could pull out and cover my butt and back?”

“I-inside you,” he groaned, feeling his orgasm approaching.

“Yes! You’re pumping into me, I can feel you swell as you fill me with your love,” Sienna moaned, her body tensing as her tits shook. “Oh fuck, I’m cumming! I’m cumming! AH!”

“Sienna!” Theo grunted as he came all over his hand.

The two of them lay in bed panting heavily. A couple of minutes went by as they just listened to each other breathing. Sienna started giggling softly, making Theo smile. He swallowed weakly as he struggled to catch his breath. She hadn’t even been in the same room, yet that was better than any sex he’d had with any woman. Theo was once again amazed at how much better it was with a real connection.

“I need to wash up,” Sienna finally said. “I’m all sweaty and there’s pussy juice all over my hand.”

“Same,” Theo replied.

“There’s pussy juice on your hand?” she asked with a giggle.

“No, the other two things,” he laughed. “I’m sweaty and need to wash up. I have cum on my hand.”

“Talk to you tomorrow?” Sienna questioned cutely.

“Yes, please,” Theo responded. “Sweet dreams.”

“They always will be with you in them,” the redhead whispered before ending the call.

Theo had a huge grin on his face as he went to the bathroom to wash up. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, unable to believe a gorgeous creature like Sienna was actually interested in him. He was afraid he was going to screw this up and his heart was racing as he brushed his teeth. He returned to bed and realized Sienna had sent him a picture message. All he could see was her fingers, which appeared to be glistening.

Sienna: See? Pussy juice.

Theo: I already washed off the cum or I’d show you!

Sienna: Bastard!:P Next time?

Theo: I promise.

Sienna: I’ll hold you to that! G’night!:*

Theo: Goodnight, beautiful.:*

~Saturday July 12, 2025~

“So, this is your bachelor pad?” Penelope Miller asked Steven as the four of them entered the apartment.

“I guess you could call it that,” Steven laughed, shutting the door.

“Mommy, I have to go to the bathroom,” Carter said, tugging on Megan’s arm.

“Okay, honey,” Megan nodded before turning to Steven. “Steven, where’s your bathroom?”

“Right over there,” Steven replied, pointing. “You can’t miss it.”

“Thanks!” the six-year-old exclaimed, running toward the room.

“Don’t pee on the seat and remember to wash your hands!” Megan called out after him.

“I know, Mom!” Carter whined before disappearing into the bathroom.

“Way to embarrass him,” Steven chuckled. “He knows he can lift the seat, right?”

“He does, but he’ll still pee all over the rim,” Megan grumbled.

“And he’s not embarrassed,” Nell snorted. “Megs and I changed his diapers, and you probably still pee on the seat.”

“I do not!” Steven gasped in mock-offense before withering under the incredulous gaze of both women. “I clean up without being told.”

The two ladies laughed as they followed Steven into the kitchen. He had already made breakfast for everyone and set it up before meeting them outside and showing them to his apartment. It was standard breakfast foods and the girls thanked him as they sat down while he poured coffee.

Steven noticed that Carter was dressed just like he was, in shorts and a t-shirt. Megan and Penelope, however, had once again gone with the twin look. Both women were wearing jean shorts that showed off their endless legs and casual shoes for walking. Their shirts were also the same; white button-downs with short sleeves. Each girl had a stylish purse that looked designed for a casual day out.

The tall, gorgeous heiresses had once again coordinated their hairstyles. They had gone with waterfall braids, which looked amazing with their long hair. A waterfall braid was where part of the hair was braided in a French braid around the head, allowing the remainder of the hair to cascade down like a waterfall. Steven thought it was a bit much for a day at the zoo, but had to admit that the effect was quite nice.

“You know, if you two really wanna be twins one of you is gonna have to dye her hair,” Steven pointed out with a smirk.

“It’s not gonna be me,” Megan declared while making Carter a plate. “I love my dark hair.”

“And I love being a natural blonde,” Nell giggled. “Most people have dark hair.”

“What makes you think we wanna be twins, anyway?” Megan wondered.

“You coordinate your hairstyles,” he reasoned. “Both the only child of rich parents who aren’t together. Same height, similar eye color, same, uh, well, similar body types.”

“Smooth,” Megan snorted, making Steven’s face turn red.

“That blush is super cute,” Nell smiled at Steven. She looked like she was going to say something else, but was interrupted by the return of the six-year-old. “There he is! About time, I’m getting hungry.”

“So eat, Auntie Nell!” Carter suggested as he sat down and reached for his plate.

“Did you wash your hands?” Megan quickly asked.

“Yes!” Carter insisted, even after Megan gave him a stern look. “I did, Mom!”

“With soap?” Megan raised an eyebrow.

With a huge sigh that only a six-year-old with the weight of the world on his shoulders could give, Carter pushed his chair back and stood back up. He then slowly made his way back to the bathroom to wash for real. Carter returned a couple minutes later and sat back down.

“Okay,” Megan smiled. “Thank Steven for breakfast.”

“Thank you,” Carter grinned.

“You’re welcome,” Steven inclined his head. “Enjoy.”

Carter immediately requested syrup for his pancakes, which Steven wholeheartedly approved of. The two boys debated the merits of maple syrup versus strawberry while the girls laughed. Megan took a bite of sausage while Penelope lifted her coffee cup to her lips.

“I hope the coffee is up to your standards?” Steven joked.

“It’s acceptable,” Nell nodded and placed her cup back on the table while glancing at the coffee machine. “Although, even with what Megan pays you, I’d think you’d be able to afford a better coffee maker.”

“I pay him very well!” Megan exclaimed.

“What do you think Carter?” Steven asked, turning to Megan’s son. “Should your mother give me a raise?”

“Yeah!” Carter announced.

“There you go, three against one,” Nell spoke up. “You lose, Megs.”

“I’m the only one who gets a vote,” Megan stated primly before looking at Carter. “Carter, why do you think Steven should get a raise.”

“You told Aunt Nell you thought he was cute,” Carter shrugged.

“Carter!” Megan gasped. It was her turn to blush.

“You said to never lie, Mom,” Carter declared seriously.

“Using my own words against me,” Megan sighed.

“Did she really tell you that?” Steven asked Penelope with a smirk.

“She did,” Nell confirmed, laughing hysterically. “And if you’re half as good with numbers as she claims, maybe I should poach you for Miller Coffee Traders.”

“No headhunting at the table,” Megan rolled her eyes.

“But he hasn’t even heard my offer yet,” Nell said, her voice heavy with innuendo.

The four of them finished eating breakfast and cleaned up the table. The Bronx Zoo didn’t open until 10:00AM, so they really weren’t in a hurry. Steven gave the others a quick tour of the apartment before grabbing his overnight bag and walking with the group out to where Megan’s red sports car was parked on the side of the street. Fortunately, it was one of the few sports cars with four doors.

“Oh, come on!” Megan yelled when she noticed the bird poop covering her car in several spots. “Fu-uh-n pigeons. Fun pigeons!” Megan barely turned that one around.

“Hey, that’s supposed to be lucky,” Nell laughed while Megan unlocked her car and opened the back door.

“That’s only if they poop on you, not your car,” Megan countered, taking out a container of wipes while Steven put his overnight bag in the trunk. “And it’s not true anyway.”

“Why would it be lucky if a pigeon poops on you?” Carter wondered.

“I heard it’s because they chose you of all people to poop on,” Steven answered, taking a wipe from Megan. “I think it’s mostly a joke.”

“Oh, okay,” Carter nodded.

“If I ever find that pigeon...” Megan grumbled while cleaning the bird poop off her car.

“You’ll do what?” Nell asked with a laugh.

“I’ll have Carter poop in his house!” Megan declared.

“I think that might be considered animal cruelty,” Steven replied as he scrubbed bird poop off Megan’s window.

“You have no idea,” Nell’s eyes widened in horror. “Carter’s in a class by himself.”

“I don’t wanna poop in a bird’s nest!” Carter spoke up. “You do it, Mom!”

“Mommies don’t poop, everyone knows that,” Megan responded confidently.

“Is that true, Carter?” Steven asked.

“Everyone poops!” Carter announced loudly, making Nell and Steven laugh. “Don’t you remember that book, Mommy?”

“Yes, thank you so much Auntie Nell for that lovely book,” Megan said drolly.

“Yes, Auntie Nell! Thank you!” Carter parroted enthusiastically, making everyone laugh again.

“Steven,” Nell began as she kept giggling while Megan stuck her tongue out at her son, “Carter went through a phase where he’d knock on the door whenever someone was in the bathroom and ask them if they were pooping.”

“Phase?” Megan snorted. “He did that yesterday.”

“I hope you weren’t expecting a day of culture?” Nell asked Steven. “Little boys love poop and fart jokes.”

“I’m prepared,” Steven laughed.

Once the car was clean, Steven sat up front with Megan while Nell and Carter got in the backseat. It was a beautiful day, and the windows were rolled down as the four of them made their way to the Bronx Zoo. Megan parked the car in the Bronx River Lot so they could use the B Gate entrance.

They got out of the car and put on sunscreen. Megan squatted in front of Carter and helped with his before putting a hat on his head to protect him from the sun. Steven wore a hat as well, while Megan and Penelope just put on sunglasses. The two women were stunning with their long hair cascading down their backs.

There were quite a few people walking toward the zoo; some families, a few couples and groups of friends. The four of them blended right in as they headed for the B Gate. Megan had already bought their tickets, and apparently had also booked a penguin encounter for 3:00PM. Armed with paper maps, they entered through the gate just a few minutes after the zoo opened.

“Okay, this way,” Megan said, leading them straight.

“Wait, wait, wait!” Nell exclaimed. “We need to go right first.”

“What, why?” Megan frowned, looking up from her map. “Everyone knows you should go left first and loop to the right.”

“Uh, the giant bird cage we can walk through?” Nell replied, holding up her map with one hand and pointing to a spot on it with the other. “When you’re with me, you go play with the birds first. THEN we loop around so that we can see the birds again before we leave. Duh!”

“Aunt Nell likes birds,” Carter told Steven.

“I noticed,” Steven laughed. “I love them, too.”

“After this morning, I have mixed feelings,” Megan deadpanned.

“Those were pigeons; rats with wings,” Nell argued. “They barely count as birds.”

“And it only took a minute to clean your overpriced car,” Steven added. “It’s not like they damaged it. Birds are beautiful and their chirping can be amazing. My sister used to love to watch and listen to them.”

“Used to?” Nell wondered.

“Uh, yeah...” Steven winced, not wanting to talk about it in front of Carter.

“Oh!” Nell gasped when realization dawned on her. “Oh, ah, I’m so sorry.”

“What?” Carter wondered.

“Birds first,” Megan interjected, distracting her son. “We’ll go right to get to the birds then follow the path left.”

“Birds first,” Steven nodded and smiled.

“And last! Right, Auntie Nell?” Carter spoke up.

“And last!” Nell grinned as she boldly marched down the right path.

The bird exhibit was a massive structure made up of multiple exhibits. It was a popular attraction because it allowed visitors to observe the natural habitats of different birds without any barriers. The plants, lighting, and humidity were all accurate to different habitats around the world.

“You’re changing your phone case now?” Steven frowned at Penelope just before they walked inside.

“This case has an external lens,” Nell explained as she finished swapping her phone case. “I love taking pictures of birds and I didn’t want to carry around a dedicated camera.”

“Julie, my sister, used to love taking pictures of birds together with me,” Steven smiled at the memories. “I still do sometimes, when I can find time. It makes me feel close to...” he swallowed weakly. “Uh, I thought I was the youngest person who actually bird-watched.”

Nell took Steven’s hand, squeezing it in quiet sympathy before trying to lighten the mood.

“They’re so pretty!” Nell exclaimed excitedly. “And they have the freedom to go anywhere, not held back by anyone’s expectations. Plus, nature is so beautiful, and birds are everywhere! They’re a part of nature all over the world.”

Steven smiled gratefully at Penelope before releasing her hand. Then they continued talking about birds while standing just outside the entrance. They were both smiling as they debated the best way to get good pictures. It was quite an in-depth conversation, and several minutes went by without either of them even realizing.

“Now there’s two of them,” Megan sighed and shook her head as she remembered previous trips to the zoo with Nell. With a smirk, she took Carter’s hand. “C’mon, let’s head inside. They’ll catch up.”

“Okay, Mom!” Carter agreed, letting Megan lead him into the building.

“I keep running out of storage for all my pictures,” Nell told Steven with a laugh. “I do keep most of my best shots organized.”

“I’d offer to show you some of mine, but I just realized we’ve been ditched,” Steven frowned, noticing Megan and Carter were gone. “Maybe later? I even have one of a mating pair of peregrine falcons.”

“You had me at mating,” Nell winked and smirked before her face suddenly fell. “Ah, sorry about earlier, about your sister. Megan never mentioned anything.”

“It’s okay,” Steven replied. “Julie had an aneurysm in second grade. I was in fourth. They said. Uh, they said she didn’t suffer.”

“That’s terrible!” Nell gasped, stepping forward to hug him tightly. “I’m so, so sorry.”

“Thank you,” Steven said, hugging her back. Her blonde hair smelled amazing as it tickled his cheek and nose. “Although, I am curious what Megan did tell you about me.”

“A girl has to have some secrets,” Nell teased, pecking his cheek before releasing him. She then took his hand. “Let’s go!”

Thirty thousand square feet of bird habitats. It was truly an amazing exhibit and all four of them enjoyed it. The bee-eater exhibit was first and Nell was immediately taking pictures. Steven pointed out to Megan that not all pigeons were bad when he saw a Nicobar Pigeon; a beautiful bird with blue and green coloring. Nell was full of fun little facts about birds and was happy to share them. They spotted a maleo, and Penelope quickly explained that the bird used heat from sand or thermal vents to warm their eggs instead of body heat.

Steven had only met Penelope one other time in person. He quickly realized that he liked her personality a lot more when she wasn’t at a high-society event. Nell was still a shameless flirt, but she seemed a lot more at ease, like she didn’t have to act a certain way. It was strange, Penelope could be so passive around guys, but then she could talk with a confidence on par with Megan.

Watching Megan interact with Carter kept bringing a smile to Steven’s face. He had spent time with the heiress outside of work, but it was always refreshing to see beneath her mask of supreme authority and indifference. Penelope and Megan both kept people at a distance, but Steven was enjoying getting to know who they really were. Much like the birds, they were so much more beautiful in their natural state. He never imagined enjoying spending time with such wealthy socialites, and he was shocked that he rarely thought about it while in their company.

“Budgie Landing time!” Carter declared, dragging Megan out of the world of birds.

“The budgies are halfway across the zoo!” Megan argued. “This is so inefficient!”

“I don’t care, I love budgies!” Nell grinned. “I had a couple growing up. Remember what I told you, Carter?”

“Budgie is short for budgerigar, also known as the common parakeet,” Carter sighed, clearly having heard that quite a few times.

“That’s my man!” Nell announced proudly as she took off his hat and mussed up his hair before putting it back on his head.

“I’m impressed,” Steven smiled.

“Aunt Nell tells me about them every time we go to the zoo,” Carter explained.

“Nell’s showing her weirdness, I guess that makes you one of us,” Megan told Steven with a laugh.

“One of us, one of us,” Nell said in a robotic voice.

“I think I should be scared,” Steven laughed.

“Yup!” Carter agreed.

They cut through the center of the zoo, ignoring the tigers, the deer, and all the reptiles. Megan was exasperated, but allowed her son to lead them to the right location. There was already a small line of people waiting to get in. The four of them stood in line to pay to enter.

Each person got a seed stick before entering the enclosure that housed dozens of colorful parakeets. Megan squatted beside Carter and the two of them let budgies land on their seed sticks. Nell took pictures the entire time. Everyone laughed when an all-white budgie landed on Megan’s shoulder and became fascinated with her hair. The bird flew off after realizing the silky strands could not be taken for nest material. At least after a couple of painful attempts.