Fragile

Chapter 24 - Arguments & Zoo Day

His grin widens. "I'll race you to the car!"

Before I can protest, he's gone, the front door swinging open behind him. Evelyn sighs, shaking her head. "I swear, that kid's got a turbo button."

We load up the car, Riggs chattering non-stop from the backseat about all the animals he wants to see. Evelyn leans against the window, her fingers laced with mine over the center console. It's a small thing, but I feel it settle something in me, anchoring me in a way I didn't know I needed.

The moment we step through the gates, Riggs takes off like a shot. He's running on pure sugar and adrenaline, pointing wildly at every enclosure we pass.

"Look! A bear!"

"That's a rock, Riggs," Evelyn says patiently.

"Oh. Look! A flamingo!"

"That's a trash can," I add, biting back a laugh.

He scowls, crossing his arms. "Okay, well, where are the actual animals?"

We steer him toward the enclosures, starting with the giraffes—his so-called aliens. He presses his face against the glass, eyes wide as one lowers its head to nibble on some leaves.

"They look weird," he announces.

"Right? Imagine them in football kits," I joke. "Bet they'd be great at headers."

Evelyn snorts. "Riggs, do not tell people that giraffes are secret football players."

He grins up at me, mischief lighting his face. "I'm definitely telling people."

The day unfolds in a blur of excitement and chaos. Riggs insists on reading every single sign, stumbling over the words but refusing help. Evelyn watches with quiet patience, correcting him gently when he asks. I see the way she tenses when he struggles, when his ADHD makes him frustrated. I recognize that helpless look—the one that says I wish I could make this easier for him.

By the time we reach the reptile house, I'm limping a bit, my knee aching from all the walking. Evelyn notices immediately, her hand resting lightly on my lower back.

"Wanna sit for a bit?" she murmurs.

I shake my head. "I'm good."

She doesn't buy it, but she lets it go. Instead, she crouches next to Riggs, who's pressing his hands against the glass, watching a snake curl around a tree branch.

"Think you could outrun that one?" she teases.

He grins. "Duh. I'm super fast." Then he turns to me. "You might be too slow now, though."

Evelyn gasps. "Riggs!"

I chuckle. "He's not wrong."

His face softens, and for a moment, I think he might say something sweet. Instead, he just grabs my hand, tugging me toward the next exhibit. "Come on, slowpoke!"

By the time we reach the gift shop, Riggs is running on fumes. Evelyn and I exchange a look—we both know what's coming. He clutches a stuffed lion to his chest, his eyes pleading.

"Please?"

Evelyn sighs. "Riggs, we already talked about this. One souvenir, and you picked the book."

His lip wobbles. "But I need it."

I crouch beside him, ignoring the way my knee protests. "Hey, bud. I know it's hard, but we made a deal, yeah? You got the book."

Tears well in his eyes, and I brace for the explosion. Instead, he throws the lion down, stomps his foot, and storms out of the shop.

Evelyn sighs, rubbing her temples. "I'll get him."

I catch her wrist. "Let me."

I find him outside, arms crossed, glaring at the pavement. I lower myself onto a bench beside him. "It's hard, huh?"

He nods, kicking at a rock.

"I used to throw tantrums when I was your age too."

He looks up, doubtful. "No way."

"Swear. Ask my mum." I nudge his shoulder. "You feeling mad?"

He nods again.

"That's okay. Being mad is normal. But throwing stuff? Not great."

He sighs. "I just really wanted it."

"I get that. But you know what you do have?" I tap the book in his lap. "This. And you can read it with me tonight if you want."

He considers it, then finally nods. "Okay."

When we return to Evelyn, she gives me a look—one of those soft, appreciative ones that makes my stomach flip.

We get ice cream on the way out, Riggs' mood instantly lifted as he devours a cone bigger than his face.

By the time we get home, he's out cold in the backseat. I carry him inside, tucking him into bed while Evelyn leans in the doorway, watching.

"You're good with him," she says softly.

I shrug, brushing a curl from Riggs' forehead. "He makes it easy."

She steps closer, wrapping her arms around my waist. "And you're good with me, too."

I press a kiss to her temple. "Lucky me."

For the first time in months, I don't think about my knee. About football. About what comes next.

Right now, I just think about this.

And for once, that's enough.

~~~~
AN: I know I said you'd get an update on Sunday after I got home from vacation, but we had some car trouble and I was super stressed out, so I wasn't able to update. But I'm back! Not gonna lie, I'm running out of some ideas to carry on and I don't want to rush it too much. So feel free to leave ideas! Or if you're unsure and want to private message me, do so on Pinterest.

Love you all, thank you for being patient with me!

Pinterest: @tayL2472

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