Hey guys, here's Chapter 52! I hope you enjoy it. Comments and feedback are always appreciated! I read every single one. Also, please let me know if you spot any mistakes. I upload revisions all the time, and I will correct any errors that are pointed out to me. Just make sure to be specific so that I can find what you're talking about. Just so everyone knows, I'm gonna be on vacation during Christmas and New Year's. I won't be starting Chapter 53 until the new year. Please note that this story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any real person is purely coincidental. As always, this is a world without STI's, and everyone involved in sexual activity is at least eighteen years old.
-Witty
~Kayla~
"This is our red-tail boa, a native of South America," the young female zookeeper explains while holding a ten-foot snake in both hands. "Most of her body is tan with brown and yellow tones. Her small tail is where the bright red patterning is, giving these snakes their name. Interestingly, some of these snakes will have a brown tail instead."
Crown Meadow Acres is Josh's favorite place to bring Ashley. Today the three of us are getting a private tour of the animal rescue center. We're starting out in the reptile room, and the first animal has my full attention. I'm still reeling from my breakup with Ian and Stephanie, but this is a nice distraction.
Our planned Wednesday double-date is now just the three of us. Josh and Ashley are doing their best to make sure I don't feel like a third wheel. I have to admit that I am a little jealous of how easygoing Josh can be; he doesn't get jealous of Ashley at all. Yet, I feel guilty for even wanting a boyfriend that is okay with me getting dick elsewhere.
Taking a deep breath, I keep my attention on the presentation so my thoughts don't wander where they shouldn't. The zookeeper is explaining that these snakes are usually very docile. I can see that; the boa constrictor seems perfectly content in her arms, looking right at me as its forked tongue flicks from its mouth.
"You might notice that her tail is wrapped around my leg," the woman continues. "I've had people express concern about this in the past; they were concerned she was trying to hurt me."
"Uh, she's not, right?" Ashley asks with wide eyes.
Ashley and Josh are standing next to each other holding hands. Josh is wearing shorts and a t-shirt, standard summer fare for a guy. Ashley's endless legs are on display in a pair of jean shorts, and her impressive cleavage can be seen thanks to a black scoop-neck top. Her blonde hair is in a cute braid which is hanging over her right shoulder. I'm still wearing my light-green plant print dress which provides teasing glimpses of my more modest chest.
"No, not at all," the zookeeper confirms with a smile. "Snakes have terrible depth perception; she can't tell if she's two feet above the ground or twenty. She's just stabilizing herself so she doesn't fall and get hurt. In her mind I'm basically a weird tree that gives her food."
"Better than being lunch," Josh smirks while admiring the snake.
"Very true," the young woman giggles. "Another interesting thing about these boas is that they're viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young."
"I thought all snakes laid eggs," I say with surprise.
"A lot of people do, and about seventy percent of snakes do lay eggs. The other thirty give live birth," the zookeeper smiles. "Would you like to touch her?"
The three of us take turns petting the snake and I learn that snakes aren't slimy at all. After the snake, we get to pet a juvenile alligator. With black electrical tape around his jaws, he's harmless and even closes his eyes as he enjoys me rubbing the top of his head. I then get to hold a bearded dragon before seeing a legless lizard. I get it; legless lizards have eyelids while snakes don't. However, the zookeeper is unable to convince me that a legless lizard isn't a snake.
It makes me sad that a lot of these rescued animals used to be pets. Idiots who think keeping an illegal pet alligator is a good idea, heartless jerks who buy bunnies for Easter and then abandon them. It's horrible. There is an enclosure full of guinea pigs, too.
In addition to rabbits and guinea pigs, they have other small and adorable animals. Hedgehogs, chinchillas, and armadillos. I also discover that a marmoset is quite possibly the cutest thing ever. While wearing a thick glove, I'm allowed to have a spectacled owl rest on my wrist. The poor guy can't fly because he's from a facility that cruelly trims wings.
I understand why Josh loves this place so much. It's obvious how much every employee here cares about the animals. Crown Meadow Acres also has so much more to offer, including the miniature golf course and homemade ice cream. The animal rescue is something new to me, however, and I'm enjoying myself in spite of everything.
"How are you doing?" Ashley asks me as we walk along the pond.
"Okay, I guess," I sigh. "It just feels like it came out of nowhere. I mean, I thought Ian wanted some pussy when he asked me to come over early. Next thing I know I'm getting dumped."
"Sorry, Kayla," Ashley replies, giving me a side-hug. "Look at it this way, a lesser man would have fucked you before ending things."
"That doesn't help," I grunt, rolling my eyes. "I also should have waited to change my status. I keep getting messages from guys. Not sure how random old guys figured out I'm now single, but I've already deleted a dozen dick pics from my inbox."
"I get those, and my status says I'm in a relationship," Ashley says.
"It isn't all bad. Dan is being very kind and saying how great we seemed together," I continue. "Probably just hoping to get me to spread my legs."
"Dan cares about you," Ashley insists. "He's not as bad as everyone thinks. Anymore."
"Well, he's not getting any," I state firmly.
"Hey, I have an idea," Josh speaks up. "A way to blow off some steam."
"Oh yeah, what's that?" Ashley asks her boyfriend.
"You'll see, let's go!" the shy boy grins, leading Ashley by the hand.
Josh seems very excited as he leads Ashley toward the parking lot. I'm following behind them, both girls giggling as we wonder what he's thinking. Josh and I are parked side-by-side, and he pulls out his key fob to unlock his car.
"So, where are we going?" I ask.
"It's a surprise, you'll see," Josh answers.
"I'm driving, I need to know where to go," I point out with a smirk.
"Oh, right," he sighs, looking disappointed just before his face lights up. "Wait, no! You can just follow me there."
"Follow at a safe distance," Ashley adds.
"Bitch," I glare at Ashley. "Fine, let's go!"
I end up following Josh's car as he navigates various side streets until we reach the busy part of town. There aren't many parking lots in this area, but there's plenty of street parking. Josh parks his car, and I can see Ashley looking out the back window and wincing as I pull up behind him. I really don't understand why they think I can't par- oops! Shit. It's fine, it's fine. Only one of the wheels is on the curb.
"A rage room?" I ask with a frown when Ashley and Josh walk up to me.
