The Summer of the Vitamin Bull

Maya's summer wasn't supposed to be this. While her friends posted pool party Instagrams and worked at smoothie shops, she was stuck at Uncle Ray's Wild Animal Wellness Retreat — three acres of mud and chaos.

Vitamin deficiency, Uncle Ray would declare, examining his animals with grave concern. Everything needs proper nutrition.

The bull — Mr. Waffles, massive but surprisingly gentle — got daily supplements that Uncle Ray insisted made him spiritually enlightened. Maya thought Mr. Waffles just wanted treats.

Then there was the bear. Not a real bear, obviously. But Bella, a rescue dog who looked remarkably bear-like and had developed the peculiar habit of sitting upright and staring contemplatively at sunrise. Uncle Ray claimed she was meditating. Maya thought she was just weird.

You're spending too much time alone, her mom said on the phone. Your friends keep asking about you. Jordan's pool party is this weekend.

Maya stared at her phone. The same pool where she'd frozen up last year when someone mentioned her brother's rehab. The same pool where she'd stopped swimming.

I'm good here, she said, watching the cat — a tiny, fierce thing named Boots who'd claimed Maya's lap as her throne. Actually kind of loving it.

She wasn't sure if she was lying or not.

That afternoon, the gate swung open. Mr. Waffles trotted out with newfound confidence. Bella followed, looking determined. Boots brought up the rear with regal disinterest.

Maya's phone buzzed — her friends, the pool party, everything she was avoiding.

She didn't think. She just moved, leaping the fence and chasing escape animals down the country road while a strange laugh bubbled up in her chest. Cars slowed. A neighbor filmed it. It was ridiculous. It was perfect.

By sunset, everyone was safely back. Mr. Waffles got extra vitamins. Bella resumed her meditation. Boots demanded treats.

Maya's phone showed hundreds of likes on the viral video. Her brother had texted: You're cool as hell.

For the first time in a year, Maya felt something like peace. She wasn't ready for Jordan's pool. But maybe that was okay.

Uncle Ray? she asked, watching sunset with Boots purring in her lap. Can I come back next summer?

He smiled, distributing evening vitamins. I was hoping you'd say that.

Outside, crickets began their evening symphony. Maya exhaled, feeling something loosen in her chest. She'd figure out the pool eventually. For now, this was enough.