AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The shelter is noisy and busy today. There are already people in the waiting room hoping to meet the animals in the back so that they can choose someone to take home.
“Good morning, everyone,” I say cheerfully as I walk in. The waiting customers look up and smile at me. Some reply with a hello and some just grin. A little girl of about six leaps up off her seat between her parents and says, “I’m getting a kitten today.”
“That’s wonderful, sweetheart. I’m going to put my things in my office and then I will come through and take you to the back so that you can meet them.”
“Yay!” she shouts, clapping her hands.
I head towards the back and my work colleagues smile and say hello as I walk past.
“Jennifer, is that you?” I hear someone calling my name from the vet’s corner.
“It’s me!” I shout back, heading in that direction.
Entering the vet’s office, I see him leaning over a little Maltese poodle with knotted and dirty fur. The dog looks a little nervous, so I hold the back of my hand out in front of his nose and let him sniff my skin. When he licks me, I reach out and scratch him between the ears.
“This one arrived last night,” the vet tells me. “I’ve done his checks and besides looking really scruffy and ever so slightly underfed, he’s healthy and happy.”
“Are you done with all his vaccinations and booster shots?”
“Yes, he’s ready for you.”
“That’s great news. Let me take him to the groomers and have them give him a bath, and then I can get those photos before lunchtime so we can start looking for his new home.”
I slip my hand under his slightly underweight belly and cradle him in my arms. “Come on, little guy, let’s go get you cleaned up. You’re going to feel so much better after this, I promise.”
After depositing the dog in the care of the groomers, I continue my rounds. By lunchtime, seven of our animals have found new homes and the application processes have been started. This afternoon, I will go over them and by tomorrow, the applicants can collect their new family members.
It’s been a good day. To make my heart even happier, one of the adoptions was of our oldest Labrador who has been in our care for over six months. She is finally going to find peace and love with a new family.
While I am packing my things and getting ready to head over to the coffee shop, I am thinking about Lauren. I wonder where she is right now and what she is doing. Has she arrived safely? Is her hotel room beautiful? I can’t wait to hear from her, but she did let me know that she might be offline for a day or two while she sets up her new SIM card there.
“Bye everyone, I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” I call to my coworkers. “Shout if you need me.”
I wave goodbye and leave the shelter with a happy heart. I don’t have my own car, so I make my way to the bus station and climb on at the same time I do every day, heading towards the coffee shop.
“Jenni, you are right on time,” the employee behind the counter says when I arrive. “I’ve already put in your order for the grilled bacon toasted on whole wheat. Can I bring your coffee, too?”
“That sounds great. I’m so hungry today,” I say, sliding into my usual seat by the window. I like sitting here as I can see the street outside and watch the people coming and going.
“Did Lauren get hold of you yet? How was her flight? Is she all settled in?” the waiter asks as I pull out my laptop.
“Not yet. She’s going to set up a new phone there. She’s also so busy and with the time difference, I won’t have much contact with her. I’m going to have to wait this one out and I might only hear her amazing stories when she gets back.”
“Let us know if you do hear from her, though. We’re excited for her.”
The waiter walks away smiling and I drop my gaze to my laptop so that I can focus on work.
When the afternoon grows late, I close my laptop and stretch my arms out.
“I’m heading out, guys,” I announce.
Packing my things, I stand to leave the coffee shop and they wave me out with smiles and wishes for a lovely evening.
I step out the door into a cool evening breeze. The soles of my sneakers squish silently against the pavement as I turn toward the bus stop.
Maybe I should stop at the shop on my way home. I think I am running low on milk, and I am craving a muffin. I can get one of those caramel chip ones for after dinner tonight.
The screeching sound of tires yanks my attention towards the road. There is a thick smell of burnt rubber. A white van has slammed to a stop right near where I am walking.
