and is always on at him to donate to animal preservation charities. It wasn’t a big stretch to sell us to the cause, and of course, my powers of persuasion can be amazingly effective,” she purred. Her face sobered. “It’s just as well, because there’s so much to do here, and the money will be put to good use. This place sucks money like a leech.”
Ben and Hemingway nodded. Ben knew that funding for the zoo was always a challenge. The situation a few months ago had been dire and it was only at the last minute Hazel had secured enough funding to keep them going.
“No shit,” Ben murmured. “I bet you charmed the pants off them.” He hesitated. Was he about to make a complete fool of himself? “Say, guys, do either of you believe in, like, the supernatural at all?” Even as he said the words, he winced in embarrassment.
Hemingway chortled. “You are talking to an African man brought up in the myths of my ancestors.” Ben knew Hemingway was from Botswana. “Of course, I believe in it. The Tokoloshe, hooting owls, black cats and nkisi—believe me, I’ve heard them all.” He frowned. “Why do you ask?”
Ben floundered then lied. There was no way he could tell anyone the truth about him Airbnb-ing a genie. “Oh, I was talking to a guest at the zoo, and they were telling me they thought their house was haunted. I thought it was interesting, that’s all.”
Hazel hummed. “Puerto Rico is a pretty superstitious place. El Chupacabra, upside down brooms, the mal de Ojo or evil eye. Like Hemingway, I was brought up with all this. I might not believe them all today, but there are still plenty of things I do that go back to my childhood.” She shrugged. “You can take the girl out of Puerto Rico, but you can’t take Puerto Rico out of the girl.”
Ben nodded thoughtfully. “So weird things can happen, and you don’t believe that a person is crazy if they think or see something that is out of this world?”
He knew he’d said too much when Hemingway narrowed his eyes and slid off the countertop. “This sounds oddly specific, Ben, my man. Have you seen an alien or perhaps a werewolf or something?”
Ben hooted in forced laughter. Yes, a half-naked genie appeared in my house and promised me two wishes. He’s staying in my spare bedroom and rents an inter-realm storage locker. God, he’d be transported away in a white van and never seen again. “No, of course not. This person I was talking too was convinced he had a poltergeist. It was crazy listening to him, but he believed it.”
“Uh-huh.” Hemingway didn’t sound convinced. “If you say so. Anyways,” he nudged Ben with his elbow. “If you had anything weird going on in your life, you’d tell your best friend about it, right? That’s what BFs do.”
Ben nodded vigorously. “Of course I would, Hemmy.” Are you fucking crazy? I’m not looking to get locked up. “Stranger Things, right? We’re a team, you and me, like Mike and Will. Dustin and Steve.”
Hemingway’s eyes lit up. “Yeah. Like them. Reminds me, it’s time for a marathon watch of episodes of Mindhunter. Maybe I can come over to yours tonight, and we can get some food and sit and binge-watch? I’ve got the day off tomorrow.”
Ben swallowed. Oh shit. How am I going to explain Dae living with me? He knew he could fob Hemmy off once, but the man was a pit bull, and he loved Ben’s large TV. He’d think nothing of turning up unannounced and letting himself in.
“Sure, but can’t stay up too late. Some of us have to work in the morning.” He waved a hand. “Oh, and so you know, I’ve got someone staying with me temporarily. He’s a—” Ben winced, “cousin from Scotland. His name’s Daniel. He won’t be around long, but he needed somewhere to stay.”
Hazel stared at him appraisingly. She raised one perfectly manicured finger to her lips and tapped them thoughtfully.
Shit, have I ever told them I don’t have any other family other than Dad? I don’t think I did.
Hemingway grinned. “Wow, I didn’t even know you had a cousin. That’s cool, man. The more, the merrier. What’s he doing staying with you?”
Ben stalled. “Erm, he’s taking some leave, a sabbatical of some sort.”
Hazel looked intrigued. “That implies he’s some sort of scholar or something. What does he do?”
Shit, this lie is growing out of control. Keep it