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

glove with too much force.

“I need a minute,” he said, and walked out before anyone could answer.

I found him behind the education center, under the metal awning where staff smoked even though none of them were supposed to. Tom did not smoke. He stood with both hands braced against the railing, staring down at the drainage ditch where rainwater carried continue reading …