If you don't agree with guys being in love with guys, then you need to find someplace else to spend time.
Okay, these characters are not meant to resemble any living or dead person.
I make no apology to anyone who is offended by anything in this story.
Let me know what you think of the story by emailing me at Hnstskr4@aol.com
Copyright 2008, 2009, 2010 by Chuck B.
Jason and Shaun
Chapter 10 - Class Trip
Jason's Point of View
Well, today is the big day. My second trip to the Bowman Company. I know he invited me and Shaun back to the business, so this will be the perfect opportunity to go back. Shaun is busy getting lunches packed and I'm busy getting a quick, but healthy, breakfast going for us. It takes a lot to get us full and we just don't have time to shovel the food in today. We didn't even really talk to each other; however we did exchange little kisses here and there. It is so great to be his boyfriend. This trip will be nice because it will get him out of the apartment for a little while.
Shaun needs a break. Yesterday was horrendous. I've never seen him so stressed in my life. No wonder the poor guy was so uptight when I first met him. His mom is a royal bitch. I'm sorry to think that about my boyfriend's mom, but it's true. I am holding on to this guy for life. Anyone even thinks about coming between me and my man, and I may have to put them out. Looking up at the clock, I realized that we needed to wrap everything up and head out.
"Shaun, we need to get out the door. I've got the breakfast wraps finished. Do you need more time on the lunches?"
Shaun was carefully placing large red apples into our bags just as I turned around to ask him.
"Nope, all done," he said as he leaned in for yet one more peck on the cheek. We quickly ate our breakfast wraps and headed out the door.
We drove out to the science building, where my zoology class was gathered outside the building. The professor explained to us again about the purpose behind this trip. He wanted us to see what someone with a life science can do to improve the world. We are going to the Bowman Company. This time, our trip is purely educational. For anyone who hasn't seen or heard of this company, it's a company that brings wildlife to the public. It's the brain child of Chuck Bowman. We've met this guy before and he is incredible. He lives this job and he loves the animals that he works with. My professor stressed to us that it's important that the public should be educated about the world around them. After he was done talking, we got back into the car and drove to the Bowman Company.
The building that houses the traveling zoo looks like a warehouse. It's nothing fancy, just some bricks and roof with windows, your average ordinary building. I was sort of surprised at just how ordinary this building looks. When we entered the building, that is when everything changed. The entryway held two 150 gallon aquariums, set up as terrariums, that couldn't hold any more plants. A waterfall fell down from the west wall and into a pond which was home to koi. We were greeted by a woman who had to be around 24. She approached the professor and gave him a hug. I heard him ask about the tour and she said there was a slight change of plans. My professor looked a little worried. With that, she sat back down at her desk and spoke into the intercom.
"Mr. Bowman, the tour group is here."
I was surprised that Mr. Bowman himself would take time out to lead the tour. I would have thought he would have other stuff to do with his time. Somehow in my mind, I see him as being very busy.
Apparently, he's not as busy as I thought. He came out of the back as if he were welcoming a group of friends into his business.
"Welcome to the Bowman Company! We are unlike any zoo or nature center in the area. Our zoo travels out to schools and other groups. We rarely open our doors for tours so, you are very lucky..."
I don't know if he was just saying that or not, but I feel totally in awe. I can't wait to see the collection.
"This collection started off with my own private collection. Ten years ago, I ran out of room at my house and moved more than half of my collection to this building. Our animals have visited with a million people or more over the years. I'd like to start our tour in one of my personal favorite areas, the Invertebrate room."
This room is huge! Don't know the exact measurements, but there are 10 shelves that are loaded down with tanks and vials. There is also a large table in the center of the room loaded down with tanks. Mr. Bowman approached the table and had our small group surround it.
"I want to share with you a few of my favorite invertebrates that we keep here at the company..."
He took a large critter keeper tank and opened it up. Mr. Bowman pulled out two cockroaches. Instantly, I recognized them as hissing cockroaches. He went into a little background about them and how to tell the differences between the sexes. He also opened up another tank and told us to be very careful. He told us not to hold what was coming out next. What came out of the tank was an orange and black tarantula. I didn't know this species, but it looked like something that I've seen before.
"This tarantula comes from Africa and is called an Orange Baboon Spider. The one I am holding here is a mature male. The female is actually sitting on an egg sac, so I decided to keep her on the shelf."
He showed us several more invertebrates before we moved on to the next room. The whole time, Shaun seemed kind of dumb-founded. A couple times I think he was freaked out because he kept taking my hand. He did mention to me that he was amazed at the animals in that room. I have to admit, it was packed. I cannot begin to describe how cool that room was. I wonder if the other rooms will be as packed.
He led us into another room that held wire cages and glass tanks as well. I could see little beady eyes looking back at me. This room must be the rodent room. Oh wait; my bad, the mammal room. Mr. Bowman was quick to explain that they do a lot of feeding with baby rats and baby mice. When he said that, I glanced around and noticed the number of mice cages and rat cages. He also pulled out some ferrets. Shaun was sort of taken by the pygmy hedgehogs that were pulled out next. Mr. Bowman went on to explain that some of the animals here at the company were rescues that have been dropped off. In a corner of the room, there was a tall cage that housed a pair of raccoons. He went on to explain to us that wild animals aren't meant to be pets. From there he took us to another room.
To say that this room was quiet would be lying. It was noisy. I mean the type of noisy that gives one a headache. It was filled with quite a few birds, mostly different forms of parrots. There were also a few other species of bird. He had one of the other workers open up a cage.
"Rex, come here!"
With a flap of wings, a large red macaw landed on his right shoulder. He went on to explain how macaws were endangered in their home land. This particular bird was a rescue that was being abused by its own. His next feathered friend was a gray parrot that was great at using its ability to mock sounds. He showed us a few more birds and then took us into one final room.
This room was warm. As I looked around, I felt at home. Here is my second favorite group of animals. I was in heaven. There were big tanks, little tanks, and custom cages. There were frogs, toads, lizards, snakes, and turtles. He brought out a marine toad and showed us the venom glands. He also brought out a corn snake. As he readied to say goodbye, he told us to feel free to visit the rooms by ourselves. I turned to Shaun, knowing he wouldn't want to stay any longer than needed. It isn't that Shaun isn't interested in the animals, but he's been very worried about his brother. I want him to enjoy the day and get some rest.
As I was about to suggest to him that we head home, he whispered into my ear, "You need to work here. No, you are destined to work here. If you don't talk to him, then I'll do it behind your back."
Shaun is sneaky enough to do something like that too. Guess I'll talk with Mr. Bowman.
Everyone else had left the building and headed out the door. Quietly, I waited for my professor to leave before I approached this man who could be my new boss.
"Mr. Bowman, can I talk with you for a minute?"
"Sure Jason, why don't you come with me into my office?"
I started following him to his office and was surprised when he turned around and also invited Shaun to follow us. Leaving the door open, he sat down behind his desk. First thing I noticed was this door that was on the west wall. It had "Private Collection" painted on the door frame. Mr. Bowman took a key from out of his desk and unlocked the door. He came out with a tank and placed it in front of me.
"Do you know what species of tarantula this is?"
The tarantula had a black abdomen with orange/reddish stripes near the joints on its feet. My mind raced through the various species that I knew. At some point, I know that I had read about this species. Come on mind, come on! Shaun was looking at me and he seemed to be saying, "You know this!"
"I think it's a Mexican Red-Kneed Tarantula."
Mr. Bowman smiled. He then directed the spider up the side of the tank. When it got to the top, he looked at me and then directed me to pick it up. I have to admit that I was nervous beyond belief. Luckily, I had seen him pick up a spider or two today. I'm also a really good learner. Putting my left hand out flat near the tank, I eased the tarantula onto my hand.
"Does she make you nervous?"
"At first, yes, but not anymore. She feels pretty cool."
Mr. Bowman smiled and was watching me and the tarantula. He seemed to be studying the tarantula's movements and my responses to them.
"Shaun, do you think you're boyfriend is capable of working for me?"
"I think he can handle it and then some."
"In that case Jason, I need a copy of your class schedule at school so I can arrange a work schedule. You'll be conducting tours for me and also working primarily with the private collection. Follow me!"
He led us into his inner sanctum, his private collection room. I thought I died and went to heaven. This room contained an estimated 105 tarantulas maybe even more. He walked over to a large table. On the table were several plastic storage bins about the size of a shoe box. He grabbed four vials from four different storage bins.
"Jason, I would like to give you the four babies from my collection. You are getting four different species:
-
Brachypelma boehmei - Mexican Fireleg
-
Brachypelma smithi - Mexican Red-Kneed
-
Cyclosternum fasciatum - Costa Rican Tiger Rump
-
Grammostola pulchripes - Chaco Golden Knee
You can house them in these containers until they get bigger. If you have questions just call me." He grabbed his walkie-talkie. "Aiden, I need a dozen small crickets brought to my office."
"As for you, young man, be here tomorrow at some point during the day and have your schedule written out. Oh... and if these tarantulas end up being males, I'll give you females instead. Thanks for coming in."
Shaun and I exited his office area and headed out to the car. Talk about nice! I got four new pets, a job, and I have the sweetest guy in the world. When we got home, Shaun disappeared while I put the babies on the dresser in the spare bedroom. Shaun found me as I was putting the last vial on the dresser. Taking my hand, he led me to the bathroom. He had taken a few scented candles and put them in various places around the room. The bathtub was filling with warm water.
He looked me and said, "Babe, you've earned a nice relaxing bath. So just kick back and relax. I'm going to lie down."
Just then the phone rang and he ran off to answer it.