Saving Summer Read online

  It was on the tip of her tongue to say that she didn't have it or she didn't have it on her, but a glance towards her backpack gave the game away. "What fake ID?" she asked lamely.

  "I'd like to see it please."

  "I...don't..."

  "You won't finish that sentence if you know what's good for you. Now I'd like to see the ID you used to get into a club where you had no place being."

  Their eyes met for a split second before Summer caved and produced what Ben wanted to see.

  He took it from her and stared at it for a minute before opening his top desk drawer. Before Summer realized what had happened, Ben had snipped the phony card into three pieces. "I trust you won't have any trouble getting up on time or driving to work in the future."

  "You can't do that!" Summer said, horrified. "I paid a lot of money for that ID!"

  "Then it was a silly investment. I'm giving you a chance to invest in your future. I told you were on notice. I won't sit by and watch you fritter away a golden opportunity, one that you have taken away from someone else, I might add. Not for a few drunken nights with your friends."

  Summer's eyes filled with tears. Polly was never going to forgive her for this. There was no way she could afford to replace what had just been destroyed before her very eyes. Her partying days were over, at least for the time being. "Can I go now?" she asked snatching up her bag and slinging it over her arm.

  "Yes. Let's go. I'll drive you."

  "It's ok, I'll get the bus."

  "I don't think you'll be very popular on the bus."

  "Why not?"

  "You smell a bit like you've been sitting in a gorilla enclosure."

  Summer clutched her clothes and sniffed. Oh, lord he was right. With all the excitement she hadn't even noticed. She was used to the smell of animal dung. She just wasn't used to wearing it. "Okay, thanks. You're not worried I might stink out your car?"

  "You can sit on a towel."

  * * *

  "Address?" Ben asked when they were sitting in the car.

  Summer rattled it off and then sunk back in her seat doing her best impression of the invisible girl.

  "I don't have to be your enemy, you know, Summer."

  "If you say so."

  "You can can the attitude. I was being civil. Nice even."

  "It's a bit hard to talk to you like some kind of normal person when you just saw my naked butt, spanked it and then told me I smell. I'm feeling just a little bit humiliated here."

  "You shouldn't be humiliated about the smell. The smell doesn't worry me at all, I'm used to it. I was actually trying to save you the embarrassment that you would have felt on a crowded bus when you realized or someone else pointed it out to you."

  "Oh." That made her feel a little better.

  "As for the spanking, you should be more embarrassed about what landed you in that position in the first place."

  "So I was stupid, you pointed that out already." Back to feeling silly again.

  "I actually think you're very intelligent. I never would have chosen you for my program otherwise. You're a very lucky girl."

  Summer kept her mouth shut, but she was feeling anything but lucky at that point. Her ass hurt, her feelings were hurt and her head hurt. She'd eaten nothing all day and she still had a hangover. Maybe this was what was meant by a world of hurt.

  As if he read her mind, Ben glanced at her sideways. "You're very pale. Did you eat lunch?"

  "I didn't have time."

  "Breakfast?"

  "I'd already missed one bus, if I stopped to eat a bowl of cereal I would have been even later."

  "Did you even eat anything last night?" he asked, his voice rising.

  "My friend and I split a burger."

  "You don't just need rules, you need a keeper."

  "I'm not one of your gorillas," she spat.

  "No, you're not. You're a naughty monkey that needs someone to look after her."

  Summer's belly flipped with a sudden rush of pleasure that shocked her. What titillated her about being called a monkey? Or was it the looking after her thing? His tone of voice maybe? She knew one thing, she needed to get out of that car and eat something before she lost her mind altogether. She closed her eyes and leaned against the seat.

  "Summer… Summer."

  Summer opened her eyes and Ben's face was close to hers. He was holding a drink cup in front of her. "Huh?" she said, wiping the drool from the side of her mouth. Honestly, was there anything else she could do to make a fool of herself?

  "I went through a drive-thru. Got us some food."

  "You didn't have to do that. I could have waited until I got home." Her mouth was protesting, but her eyes were staring hungrily at the burger Ben was holding out to her.

  "Luckily you don't have to. Now eat."

  "Why is the car not moving?"

  "Because I parked it so we could eat."

  "You really want to eat in a car that smells like someone died in it?"

  "Like I said, I'm used to it. Does it bother you that much?"

  "Not really." That wasn't what was bothering her.

  "Good, so be a good girl for once and eat."

  "Anyone ever tell you that you have a bossy streak?"

  "No, not really. Not everyone brings out this side of me."

  "Lucky me."

  "I think so," Ben said with a grin, popping some French fries in his mouth.

  "You know, I could be a vegetarian."

  "But you're not," he said, noticing she now had a death grip on the burger even though she hadn't unwrapped it. "Just eat the burger, Summer, and stop being such a contrary brat."

  Summer's face flushed. "Sorry," she said finally, allowing herself to give in and unwrap the burger. "It's been a very long day."

  "Tomorrow can be better," Ben said. "That would be up to you though, wouldn't it?"

  "I guess so," she said, tucking into her hamburger with gusto.

  "You will have had your dinner, so I would suggest when you get home, a hot shower, an hour of TV or reading and then set your alarm and get a goodnight sleep."

  "What am I, eight?"

  "An eight-year-old probably would have had the sense to stay out of a gorilla's enclosure."

  "I thought it was empty!"

  "How did that work out for you?"

  Summer almost thought she saw a hint of a smile. "Not great."

  "My point exactly. Try to follow the rules; they're there for a reason. To keep you safe."

  "I get the point. I'll be more careful before I do anything silly like that again."

  "No you won't need to be careful before doing the wrong thing, just don't do it at all."

  Summer rolled her eyes. "Now you're just twisting my words. I won't go into an enclosure again without permission."

  "Without my express permission. You answer to me."

  She couldn't help it, his words made her shiver, but still she nodded. What else could she do? He held all the cards. "I'm tired. Can you take me home now please?"

  "Of course." He started the car immediately.

  Summer found that she was more comfortable than she probably should have been. Her bottom wasn't hurting at all, really. It was a weird feeling, not quite normal, but it would be exaggerating to say that it hurt. She sank into the deep comfortable leather seat. Whether she fell asleep straight away or just blinked and then didn't manage to get her eyes open wasn't clear; but it wasn't until Ben shook her softly, that they sprang open again and she realized there was a line of drool sliding out of the corner of her mouth.

  "Fuck," she said, sitting bolt upright and trying to get her bearings. "Oh, sorry. I got a fright. I wasn't quite sure where I was."

  "I'm sorry I frightened you," he said dabbing at the corner of her lips with a tissue.

  Oh, God. He actually had to wipe off her drool, perfect. "I'm ok. Sorry. I'll see you tomorrow," she said turning slightly and reaching for the door.

  "Wait right there," he said opening his own door and ge
tting out. He was at the passenger side within seconds and opened her door. He held out his arm for her to take.

  She was grubby and smelly and she didn't want to have any part of touching his clean shirt. "I can manage," she tried to say.

  "I'm sure you can, but you don't have to. Allow me?" he said with a smile that melted her heart.

  It was funny, but in all the weeks she'd been working for this man she'd not really seen him smile. He had nice teeth, straight and white. But his gaze and the accompanying smile were fixed and she had a feeling neither the grin nor in fact, the body of this man, were moving until she did as he asked and took his arm. "Thank you," she said finally doing what he expected and linked her arm through his.

  "I'll walk you to the door." He gave her another glimpse of his white teeth.

  She opened her mouth to tell him that she never had anyone to walk her to the door, that she always managed to get there just fine; but she closed it again, following behind him to the door. He was only trying to be nice and she had to admit it felt good for someone to treat her like a lady.

  Chapter 2

  "Are you fucking kidding me?" Summer blurted out when she opened her eyes and jumped out of bed the next morning. The sun was beaming through her bedroom window like a beacon that could only mean one thing. Her alarm didn't go off. She tried to turn on her phone, but it was as dead as a doornail. All her good intentions of a fresh start and a different attitude had just slipped away on the first morning. She must have forgotten to put the stupid thing on charge. Ben was going to... he was going to... her mind swam with images of what she knew he was going to do, but she was having trouble making herself even think the words. At least she hadn't had anything to drink the night before and she could drive. Maybe she could make up some time.

  Summer had a three hundred and sixty degree shower in about a minute and a half, twisting around in a complete circle under the water while she washed her hair and soaped up her body. A final rinse and she was out. She dragged on her clothes while she was still half wet and then tied her hair into a ponytail as she ran to her car. Maybe she should have just called in sick, but then her gut told her Ben wouldn't accept that without knowing the exact ins and outs. He would either ask for a doctor's note or he would turn up here to check for himself if she was telling the truth. Neither scenario would end up in her favor. She might as well cut out the middleman and face the consequences now. That or drive like a bat out of hell and hope she didn't get pulled over, she thought with just a smidgeon of hope.

  There was about a minute to spare by the time the frazzled young woman pulled up outside the zoo. She parked quickly and took off like her life depended on it, flashing her pass and running all the way to Ben's office that was in the back area of the enclosure. "Hi," she panted trying to drag in a breath. "I'm not late am I?"

  "Thirty seconds," he said with a crooked smile. "I'll give that a pass. It's an improvement. You have eaten breakfast this morning, haven't you?"

  "Well, I didn't really have time."

  "Hmm. You can't work on an empty stomach. Grab a banana from the kitchen and a tub of yogurt from the fridge over there," he said, pointing to his personal fridge in the corner.

  "Thanks." She wanted to explain to him that she hadn't been out or anything, that she stayed home like a good little girl although why she cared what he thought was beyond her. Still it seemed to matter, regardless. It wasn't necessary though. He knew she hadn't gone out, he'd destroyed her fake ID. She took the yogurt out and walked down to the kitchen for her banana. As she came back past the primate bedrooms munching on her fruit, Char thumped the wall, letting her know in no uncertain terms that he was not impressed that she was eating a piece of his fruit. She was glad that yesterday was yesterday and today was today. She didn't want to know what a peeved gorilla would have done to her.

  "Come on. Stuff to do," Ben said as she walked into his office.

  "What's first?" Summer dropped her banana skin into wastepaper basket.

  "We're going to go through the procedures from the beginning. You can eat your yogurt while we walk."

  "Oh, come on! We're starting over again? You already showed me all this stuff."

  "It's STUFF that has to be done anyway. It won't hurt you to observe. You never know, you might learn something."

  "I have learned lots since I've been here. I remembered not to make eye contact with Char."

  "Did you remember not to go in there by yourself?" Ben turned to look her in the eye and an eyebrow rose.

  "Not exactly," Summer sighed. This man had an answer to everything. Actually he had the questions first and then the answers.

  "Then you didn't learn enough. Or retain enough perhaps."

  "Fine."

  "OOh, that sounds very close to an attitude to me, Miss," Ben said letting his handclap off her bottom.

  "It wasn't," Summer said, her face flushing as she looked around for spectators. "I'm sorry," she added.

  "Good. Now let's start. First thing we do is a head check. Check that they're all here. Check that everyone's ok; no one's acting lethargic or overly aggressive."

  They walked along the long aisle where the bedrooms were all side by side. Summer giggled at Char's unimpressed look. It was time he was let out and he knew it. If he could have spoken, she wouldn't have minded betting he would have told them that, too. "Morning Char," she said, ignoring his unimpressed grunt. She greeted each of their little family in turn, returning to find Ben getting the meds ready.

  "Now. We give Char his first. He's the one that will be hardest if he decides he's had enough of being in here and doesn't want to cooperate. Also he's hungry so this banana won't touch the sides and he will have swallowed his vitamins." That tip proved to be true. He snatched the banana through the hatch in the glass and practically swallowed it whole.

  "Next the girls?"

  "Yes. They have their birth control pills in juice." He poured three cups of juice and dissolved the pills inside. After handling them around, he took out a melon.

  "Why are the girls on birth control? Isn't the idea to help with the breeding?"

  "Yes it is, but Pickles is too closely related to them. We can't risk them getting pregnant."

  "You seriously think Char's going to let that happen?"

  "We have to be sure. Both Delilah and Zula have young ones anyway. They won't have any more babies just yet."

  Summer didn't really want to have incestuous thoughts about the young blackback. She shuddered. Pickles had always been her favorite. Long before she came to work here she'd been a regular at the zoo. In the summer anyway, when she'd stayed with her grandmother. Her family had watched Pickles grow up.

  "It's the order of things, Summer. You know how it goes. If they're all kept together, then nature takes its course."

  Summer said nothing for a few minutes while she tried to make Pickles just a baby again in her head. It was like finding out about Santa and the tooth fairy, that feeling you get with a loss of innocence.

  * * *

  Ben left her for a minute while he instructed a couple of other young people on how to get the food ready for the evening. It was a job that took hours. Food is nearly always being prepared for the large animals that eat huge amounts of vegetation, specific types at different hours of the day.

  Summer wandered around visiting the large primates while she waited for her boss to return. She waved shyly at Char, the frightening memory of yesterday still fresh in her mind. As much as she would have liked to believe that he wouldn't have hurt her, she was glad that Ben had come to her rescue.

  Zula was feeding her infant daughter Midge, who was snuggled happily enjoying her breakfast, luckily still being fed from her mother and not having to wait for their keepers to get their act together.

  Kai, Delilah's two year old wandered over to the window curiously but his mother scooped him up and planted him firmly on her back.

  Pickles, though, came up to the glass and stared right at her. Summer smiled
and waved. "Hi Pickles baby," she crooned. He picked up a ball and tossed it at the window, doing a backward somersault as he gathered it up again. Summer giggled at his playfulness. He did it again, if anything tossing the ball harder. "You want to play?" she asked. She got a ball out of a basket of toys and tossed it at the window gently. He jumped up and down and threw his own ball at the window again.

  "Having fun?" Ben asked from behind her.

  Summer nodded, continuing her game. "He's very smart."

  "Yes he is. They all are. They are also hungry so we need to do the enclosure."

  Summer waved goodbye to Pickles.

  "What do we do again?" Ben asked.

  "Head count."

  "That's right. Nothing is more important that making sure the area is clear before entering. They walked up and down counting all the apes twice, the second time to check that no doors have been left open and that all their inmates are still safely holed up in their lavish indoor home.

  Summer slipped on the gloves that Ben passed her and, with a wince, took the shovel. "Not the most glamorous part of the job is it?" Summer wasn't fond of housework at home; she hated cleaning on such a large scale here even more.

  "Nope, but probably the most necessary. How would you like to have dinner served in your toilet?"

  "Yeah, NO. Eww."

  "Exactly. They can't exactly clean up after themselves."

  "I'm not so sure. As we just agreed, they're very smart. You said they get bored if they're not kept busy. Let's give them a shovel and teach them how to use it."

  "Not going to happen." Ben opened the door and gave her a gentle shove inside.

  Summer was even less enthused about the piles of poop everywhere now that she saw them. She didn't mind doing her share, but she did this the day before yesterday. They usually did things on a roster. There must be something better for her to do than this. "How about I push the wheelbarrow and you shovel?" Summer said cutely.

  "How about I push the barrow and we both shovel?"

  "If you like. I thought it would be part of the whole gentleman thing, you know like opening the door and being the boss and all."

  "I'm still the boss and this is work. Work that has to be done quickly so it's going to need two people."