Antwerp Zoo Says Woman Who Had 'Affair' with Chimp Asked to Stay Away for 'His Health' | Patricia Q. Bidar

The so-called experts simper that a chimpanzee who is seen as being too close to humans is less respected by his peers. Like I care what those knuckle draggers think. Blonde Carol, my love, is facing empty nest syndrome. This had led from one thing to another and at this point, her children have blocked her on all the socials. Her texts go unanswered, and she receives no thanks for the baked goods she leaves.

Until today, my sweet consort would visit me daily in this most virtual of places. I mean, think about it. I am literally enclosed here. She was made to pay money to access my company. Carol would wave and blow me kisses; jump up and down. We never touched. She broke no rule. All I wanted was to cradle, to protect her.

Antwerp Zoo Says Woman Who Had 'Affair' with Chimp Asked to Stay Away for 'His Health,' the headline smirked. Oh, I saw. And now my life is scrubbed of both my peers’ respect and my amour fou with my soul’s twin.

My family is gone, too.

Patricia Quintana Bidar is a California native, raised in the Port of Los Angeles area. Her writing has appeared in Wigleaf, SmokeLong Quarterly, The Pinch, Pithead Chapel, and Atticus Review, among other wonderful places. Her story, Over There, will appear in Flash Fiction America anthology (W.W. Norton, March 2023). She lives with her family and magical dog outside of Oakland, CA. Connect with Patricia on Twitter (@patriciabidar) or on her website (https://patriciaqbidar.com).