When the old keeper forgot one latch, the 400-pound silverback reached through the steel

a moment. He did not step forward this time. His jaw worked once, and the muscles around his eyes tightened until the laugh had nowhere left to go.

“Don’t,” he said softly.

Winston’s fingers curled through the training openings. Not grabbing. Asking.

Tom looked toward the observation booth. For the first time since I had arrived, he seemed less embarrassed continue reading …