On Santa's lap - S01 E08

3 months ago

On Santa's lap - S01 E08

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 8

I didn't know how I ended up talking on the phone for so long but by the time I went back in the play was long gone and everyone was searching for their families. Thankfully I found Janelle before her son did and I was saved for a lifetime off "Aunt Eve, you always missed my school plays," Ha! I was here.

I placed my ten percent left phone into my pocket as I looked around for Evan.

"Where did you go?" Jan asked from beside me with a raised eyebrow. I could either tell her the truth or make some vivacious lie. Either she started telling my brother about this "Guy" i was seeing, which I was not, or she was going to just catch me out.

I was going to take my chances.

"I was on the phone outside,"

It sounded better than telling her I ate a chili hot dog and felt sick, well I did eat a whole punnet of strawberries myself.

She scoffed, "Sure you were," I raise an eyebrow at her. Thought so, no one ever believes me. Probably because the last time I had a conversation that long would have to be when I was in High School.

"Mum! Aunt Eve!" We both turned to look at Evan running towards us, still dressed in his costume as he hugged his mother before brushing his hair out of his face, "Hey Aunt Eve, did you like the way I danced in the end?"

"Um," I looked up at Jan confused, did I miss his solo performance, probably, "You were brilliant," I lied. Well it wasn't really that much of a lie, since he probably was brilliant.

"Want me to teach you," he asked his eyes brightening and I patted his head, "Maybe another day, we should get going it's past your bed time,"

Pathetic Eve.

"How are you getting home?" Jan asked as Evan raced off to collect his things and say bye to everyone.

"Cab or something," I shrugged. Jan gave me a disapproving motherly look at me, "Come home with us, you can leave tomorrow,"

"But I have no phone charger,"

"Your brother will have one somewhere, tomorrow is Saturday anyway, you and Evan can go to the zoo or something" or something. The last time I had been to the zoo was I eighteen, and a Rhino head butted the bus we were in. So no thank you.

It was an "Open Range Zoo," A tour bus drove you around the different areas and sometimes the animals weren't so friendly.

I took up on her offer, only because I hadn't spent that much time with Evan and he was my favourite nephew, and only nephew, and I didn't want to waste more money on the cab home.

"Oh yeah?" I nodded my eyes getting heavy as Evan told me about the play. "Yeah and then Robert forgot his lines so I had to take in and do them," he beamed proudly and I nodded. Somewhat bad for falling asleep on him a few times as he explained.

"Aunt Eve you're staying over?" He asked as Jan drove into the driveway. I nodded in reply and he threw his arms around me, "This is the best night! Can we watch The Grinch?"

"You're weak," I whispered to myself as I sat on the wooden benches. What on earth made me text him? Usually he texted me, but that was the thing I was weak.

I loved my nephew, but spending the day with him at a zoo by myself would have killed me.

And I was equally as surprised when he replied to my text, fast. I liked fast texters.

Sure, where?

I blinked twice before looking up, Evan was too busy waiting in line for the tickets.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Are you sure, you don't have to. Terrible day, Melbourne Zoo.

Weak Eve, weak.

Besides what the hell was he doing up at nine in the damn morning.

"Aunt Eve, my legs are hurting," I sighed getting up walking over to where he was, "Are you sure you want to go inside then? There is a lot of walking and we don't want your legs to hurt," I said looking down at the crouching boy in his leopard print pants and matching vest.

"Nope I'm fine," he said suddenly standing up. Great.

Suck it up, he's your nephew.

My nephew would have picked watching movies and eating ice-creams, not walking around in the zoo.

My phone buzzed again and I looked down to see it was Nik telling me he will be here in half an hour.

Evan tugged my hand when it was finally our turn in the queue, "Lift me up I wanna see,"

"It's a ticket counter," I said but nevertheless picked him up and sat him on the counter top, "One adult and child please, he's over four,"

The woman nodded printing off tickets as I passed in, she handed us a brochure, "Would you like a kids pack, it's only an extra $6,"

"Do you want one?" I asked looking at Evan as she pulled out a "kids" pack. These were all a tourist rip off, it only had a drawing book which I could buy in a two dollar store and four crayons as well as another copy of the free brochure. But I guess the toy binoculars were worth something.

Evan pondered, his head tilted as he tapped the desk, just like his father would do when he was thinking about a decision, something he wants but doesn't think is worth it. I rolled my eyes, no kid that young should be doing maths formulas in their mind to work out the value of something.

"We'll take it," I said handing her extra money.

"Are you sure Aunt Eve, because I think I saw that colou-,"

"Yes," I said handing him the pack. He got to work at ripping the plastic open as I took the tickets.

"Cute kid, he has your smile,"

"Thanks," I said, not smiling at all, as I picked him up putting him back on the ground. Great, I really did look like a mother. Brushing my hair out of my face I walked over to the gate giving the man our tickets which he ripped in half and handed back.

"Enjoy,"

Probably not, welcome to the zoo, where the animals were going to be sleeping or eating, and it was going to smell like poop. And not to mention I didn't agree with half the way the animals were treated.

I pulled the cap I was wearing, which I stole from Ethan's car when he dropped us off on his way to work, making us an hour early for the zoo to even open, but it kept the sun out of my eyes, and shielded my face.

I kept forgetting to put on sunscreen.

"What do you want to look at first?" I asked bending down to grab the book and crayons off him as he started putting the binoculars on and opening up the guide map. I flicked through the book, maybe I should colour some in while I let him run around.

One was never too old for overpriced colouring book with four pictures in it, but then again I can't let a child run around by himself. The lions could eat him.

Because Evan was the type to do exactly what the rules said not to, "Don't stick your fingers in the cage,"

"The rhinomgonerous,"

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

I smiled, "Rhinoceros?"

"That's what I said, I think it's that way,"

"Alright tour guide, lead us,"

I was sitting on the bench, somewhat bored already when Nik texted me.

I'm in, where are you?

Butterfly sanctuary I replied looking up, yep the kid was still looking at the butterflies. The six year old was way too interested in reading all the signs on the exhibits than I was. Hell they had too many words for me, but not for him.

It wasn't too long before I heard a stampede, but looking up it was just Nik running up to the closed closure. There weren't that many people this early but by noon it was going to be filled. The joy of holidays and school kids.

"Hey Chripy chirp," he said plopping onto the seat next to me, "Didn't think you were the zoo kind of girl,"

"I'm not,"

"Then why are you here?"

I nodded over to where Evan was standing and reading a sign, "Oh right, babysitting?" he asked.

"Something like that," I said spilling juice on myself when he grabbed the cup from me, "Why thanks for offering," he said sheepishly and I rolled my eyes wiping my leg with the back of my hand.

"It's hot,"

"I know, want me to leave?"

"Really?" I asked raising an eyebrow at him.

You called him, now deal with him.

My conscious needed to shut the fuck up.

He shrugged drinking through the straw before handing it back, "It's summer,"

"I hate it,"

"Another to add to the list," he said as Evan turned around running back to us.

"Okay I finished reading it, did you know that butterflies are actually called Rhofalocia no wait" he ran back to the sign and then came running back, "Rofol- they just have a longer bigger name," he said when he noticed we had company and his eyes moved to Nik narrowing, "Hi, nice to meet you, let's go to the lions now"

"Ever so polite," I said rolling my eyes as I got up grabbing his colouring book, vest and crayons he decided to dump, "Let's go, did you finish your drink?"

Evan shook his head bending his head to drink his smoothie as Nik grabbed his vest from me swinging it over his arm, "How old is he again"

"Six,"

"That must be the most polite six year I have ever met, and also one of the deadliest glares I have seen,"

"He gets the manners from his father,"

"And let me guess," he said bumping his shoulder into mine as we walked out, "He gets the glare from you,"

"You know it," I said smiling, I taught him that glare. I was very proud, that glare scared his grandmother.

It was a quiet walk to the lions den which wasn't too far away, the man had it all planned out. We were going to follow the blue line, then the pink and then orange, and look at everything the zoo had to offer.

Sadly that meant longer time for me.

"Nice outfit chirpy chirp," he said tugging at the back of my shirt.

"Shut up, stop calling me that, and it's my sister in laws, I stayed over so I had to borrow clothes," I muttered not sure why I was indulging in this information with him.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

"Oh right the play," he said nodding, "I thought so because I really didn't think sky blue shorts were your thing, cute, great legs, but I thought you more of a jeans type of girl,"

"You know me too well," I said my voice filled with sarcasm. I wore shorts, just at home where no one could really see me.

"Don't you know it," and then the conversation ended as we romped into the dark den with others. The lions were always the biggest and most attractive attraction that everyone flocked too. And now that it was nearly eleven a.m., there were a lot of people in the den.

There was the under-cave experience where you can view them behind glass, realy good protective glass so the lions couldn't get to you, obviously, and then it led out to a more open area where it was cages so you could smell their lovely turd.

It was strong.

But it was more for the purpose of seeing them in action and roar, but sadly not for sticking your fingers in it.

"Aunt Eve," the familiar whiny voice made me look down, "The man is blocking my view," and I looked up realising that my view was being blocked, let alone Evans.

"Just give it a minute, they'll move, do you want me to lift you up?"

"No you're short,"

Ouch, thanks man. Nik raised an eyebrow, as well as tilt of his lips before bending down and grabbing Evan, "What are you doing?" I asked panicking when he did a maneuver that looked too dangerous, before he placed Evan on his shoulders.

"Can you see now?"

"Thank you,"

"You're welcome,"

"I pay,"

"No last time I said I will pay, so let me pay," I said trying to shove my note at the lady.

"That's different, I pay now and then and every other time,"

"I don't think so, how about you pay for yours and I pay for mine, but then you take the money I owe you,"

"You don't owe me anything,"

"The burger, duh," I said.

"That was a date, I pay for dates,"

"That was not a date,"

"Can I just have ice-cream please?"

We both paused looking down at Evan who looked fed up with our antics, it was hot, sweltering, sweating hot and I hated it. And after an hour of sitting in the sun watching lions sleep, because Evan wanted to interrogated the zoo worker for information, ice cream was the first thing we saw.

"Yes of course," Nik said shoving the note in the lady arm "Keep the change, I hate coins"

"I do not appreciate this," I said holding my note and frowning.

"Can I have sprinkles on mine?" Evan called out looking up at the ice-cream truck.

"I invited you so I pay,"

"Actually," I pointed out, "yes that is true for the burger thingy, but this I invited you,"

"I still pay,"

"What type of logic is that?"

"Nik's logic. A man would never let a woman pay. First of all, it's about honor, it's the gentleman thing to do. Second of all, it makes them feel inferior and doubt the money the make, it also makes them feel more dominant. Third of all-,"

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

"What flavor do you want?" the lady asked us irritated with our bickering and we both froze. I grabbed the ice-cream she held and passed it onto Evan who grabbed it and then walked over to sit in the shade, also annoyed at us both.

"Vanilla choc-top thanks,"

"Um, well," I said staring at the menu, man, I can never make a decision, "Blueberry and chocolate,"

"Ew," Nik muttered from beside me "What type of combination is that?"

"I tried it when I was younger, it was really nice, I liked it,"

"You're weird,"

"Thank you for noticing,"

I plopped onto the ground where Evan had already finished most of his ice-cream and stretched out dumping all the other stuff in my hands, the colouring book and crayons, his binoculars he decided he didn't want to wear anymore, his vest, the juice he wanted to finish but not right now, and also a monkey toy he bought at the monkey exhibit and were selling supplies.

"I should have brought a bag," I noticed, all I did was shove a handful of notes my brother handed me in my pocket and then held my phone, not like I needed anything. And left everything else at theirs so I could pick it up and not lag it around all day long. But looking at this, and knowing that we weren't even half way through the zoo, there was going to be a lot more things Evan would buy.

Nik stretched out his legs leaning back and I envied how long they looked next to mine.

"So what are you doing for Christmas?"

I shrugged licking my ice-cream, the blueberry was lightly tangy and sour and the chocolate brought it back down by being sweet, I don't get why he thought that was weird, "Dunno, I'll think of something,"

Nik half turned to stare at me, "What?"

"It's in four days,"

"I'll think of something," I nodded, how hard could it be?

"Are you coming for lunch Aunt Eve, you said you would,"

No I didn't I would recall if I made such an absurd promise, "Maybe not this year Evan,"

"Why not," He said as I handed him a tissue to wipe his face and hands with it, "You didn't come last year," he pouted. If there was any exception in buying someone a gift, it would be him, especially since he was really disappointed I didn't get him one that I had to go out and buy him something, which ended up being a dog collar since the closest shop was a pet store.

And now his dad hates me cause Evan thought that meant he was getting a dog this year.

"I did come last year,"

"For ten minutes," He huffed.

"I had work honey," which was a lie, I went home and slept, it was amazing. And then I woke up, ate lots of ice-cream and then played in the park on the swings, which was also fun.

Nik watched us both curiously, I could see he was itching to say something but then went back to eating his melting choc-top.

"You're always working,"

I didn't reply and went back to eating my ice-cream, partially it was because it was true. I was always working, or I tried to always be working. The extra money helped, and I had to have something on my mind. Leaving me alone with my thoughts was not a good thing at all.

"Can I play in the park while you finish eating your ice-cream?" Evan asked as he stood up, I looked across at the park, well I had a good view of it, "Sure I guess,"

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

He started running towards it and came back when I yelled out his name, "Yes?"

"Here," I took off my cap and leaned over placing it on his head. He didn't like it frowning reaching up to take it off, "Either that or no play. Your mum's going to kill me if you come home sunburned again," Evan nodded sighing and rolling his eyes before turning around and running into the park. I brushed my loose hair out of my face and turned to see Nik staring at me. A look I didn't really recognise.

"What?"

"Do you have snapchat?"

"What?" I asked confused and turned my head at the sudden topic change.

"I still can't believe you actually have more stars than me," Nik grumbled as I waited for Evan to pick out another souvenir. He was looking at the books so I know that would be more useful than the toys.

"Don't cry," I smirked patting his shoulder. It was funny that he thought I wouldn't have snapchat, or Instagram or anything else for that matter. I was social, just to the people I wanted to be social with. I wasn't an outcast.

And when he saw the star on the profile beside my name, which means how many you sent and received, he cried that it was more than his. Well I guess I was a bit addicted to sending pictures to my friends, but they weren't all selfies.

Okay, most of them were.

Nik had a lot, thirty thousand, but he was never going to reach my eight nine thousand and six hundred and thirty one snaps.

"What are you doing after this?" He asked rocking back on his heels next to me. I was surprised he even stayed, it was nearly six in the afternoon and thankfully the sun was going down.

"Drop Evan off, pick up my stuff, go home,"

"Fun," he said nodding and paused tilting his head, "Have dinner with me,"

"Why?" I asked confused. Wasn't spending the whole day with me and a six year old already fun enough.

"You have to eat, I have to eat, so let's eat together,"

"Will you let me pay?"

"No,"

"Then no,"

He smiled "How about we discuss about who pays over dinner?"

"I got one!" I looked over at Evan who was holding a book to big for him and handed the things I was holding to Nik, "I'll be back,"

"Yeah?" I asked crouching down and taking the book from him, it was heavy, "Are you sure you want this one?" I know how long he takes to pick out things, which he got from me I guess, so this was surprisingly fast for him.

It was an animal encyclopedia, "It's really big,"

"It has pretty pictures, quizzes and also lots of information and how to pronounce things,"

"Right, I'll go get this for you," I ruffled his hair standing up and going to the counter, "Hey can I grab this thanks,"

The lady behind the counter nodded taking the heavy book from me and I looked at the small stuff they had at the counter and smiled when I saw a fancy pencil, "Hey Evan do you want thi-," I looked down realising he wasn't there and looked over my shoulder and thankfully he was standing with Nik.

Nik who was crouching down showing him something, "Right," I said nodding.

"How about I throw that in for free?"

"What? Are you sure? I have enough mo-,"

"Nah he's a good kid, not many of them come and choose books, been watching him swap back and forth over there, cute family you got there,"

And for once I just smiled and said "Thanks," Only because I didn't want to go through the whole "Oh sorry, you just just looked like a family," deal. Besides, Evan was family.

"Enjoy," I grabbed the nice green bag she also gave me rather than a plastic one and walked back to them, "Finally, can shove all of that into here," I said grabbing the things from Nik.

"I want to hold it," Evan said as I finished packing them all up.

"It's heavy,"

"I am strong," he said grabbing the bag from him and I watched him struggle as he walked in front of us, giving up and dragging the bag.

"Stubborn head," I muttered shaking my own.

"I wonder who he gets it from,"