"Daddy, what are you doing with Mars in your arms? Isn't he Anelas?"
"Anela has asked us to watch him just until she gets everything cleared up."
"You serious? He is so adorable with his chubby little cheeks. Why can't you watch him?"
"Have you ever seen me with elephants? I don't even know the first thing about them. I know that Mars is your pride and joy and you said to me one day you wish to go over and see Mars in person."
"I think she was talking about HEZ…E..KIIIIAH!!!"
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
"Can I trust you, girls? This is no ordinary pet like the hampster you lost last time, Jewels."
"I didn't lose him. He's just out exploring his wild inside."
"Yeah, if you consider the mouth of a snake, wild!!!!!!!!"
"Shut up, Annalise."
"Girls, girls. I can be content to raise him myself if you want."
"We'll take him. We'll take him."
"That's what I thought. Remember, he is a circus performer, not a playdate for your dolls, Olivia."
"Sorry. Won't happen again, I promise."
"Mars, these are my girls. Girls, Mars. Go say hi."
"Mars…hiiiiii!!!!"
"Jewels, don't hug so tight."
"I am your biggest biggyest fan ever."
"My name is Olivia. We'll have lots of fun together. I can just see it. Oh, and this is Annalise. She likes your Hezzy!!!!"
"Do not."
"Do too."
"Awuuuuuyyybbbhhh"
"Nice to meet you too, Mars."
"He said it is very nice to meet all of you as well, and that Hezekiah would love to have a girl like you, Annalise."
"Oh….he…he said that? You sure, Jewels?"
"Every word."
"I'm flattered and a little…"
"Annalise is blushing…Annalise is blushing."
"Annalise and Hezekiah, sitting in a tree. K.I.S.S.I.N.G. First comes…MMemmmemmmehmmmm.
Why'd you do that? I was just speaking the truth."
"Speak it somewhere else."
"Come on Mars. Let me show you around."
"I'll…take that. Don't worry. I'll have your cycle fixed up in no time."
"Mars, she is great at fixing things….as well as breaking them. Her teacher even gave her a medal for the best model. She loves to tinker."
"Thanks, Jewels."
"It's not fair. Why does Jewels get to be able to understand Mars and not me? I would like to know what he thinks once in a while."
"Your time will come Olivia. Your time will come. There will be a day when all that is left is you and him. He's going to reach out to you, and at that moment your heart will be opened."
"You really think so?"
"I know so.
Now, I have a big performance in a few days. Would any of you like to help me feed the animals, or would you rather stay here with Mars?"
"Stay!!!"
"Stay!!!" Stay!!!"
"Okay, okay. You don't need to tell me twice. I'll be back in an hour to check in on your girls. Promise me that when I get back he will still look like a performer."
"Promise."
"He's gone. Olivia, what do you want to do first? Olivia? Why are you taking your shirt off....and your shorts?"
"Don't want them to get soaked, do you? Come on, Jewels. Annalise just filled the small pool with fresh water this morning. Last one in is a rotten egg. Come on Mars. I'll race you."
"OLIVIA, remember what Dad said."
"Don't worry. We'll dry his clothes, put ours back on and no one will be the wiser. I bet you've never been splashed by an elephant before."
"I….I…..You're right. Wait for me."
Man, this cycle is bent up more than I thought. OLIVIA, what did you do with my toolkit? You know it's not a serving tray. OLIVIA? OLIVIA?
I'll just use dads. Hopefully, they're not getting themselves into too much trouble."
"Wahoooo!!!! This is so fun."
"Yea, and so..fr…fr….fr….freezing!!!"
"Jewels, just run around a bit. You'll warm right up. Mars, I want a splash."
*Skliiiicccuuuup*
*Phewwwwwwwwwwwppppphhh