Ivy put her arm around Daisy. “In fact, the doctor will be here soon.”
Mitch lifted his chin toward Vanz. “We know you were staying in the bunker.”
“I didn’t touch anything in there.” Vanz blinked hard against tears pooling in his eyes.
Shelly touched the boy’s shoulder. “You needed shelter. But you can’t stay there anymore. It might not be safe.”
“So stay with us.” Mitch’s voice was welcoming. “You can sleep on the futon. Tomorrow, we’ll figure out the rest.”
They talked more until a knock sounded on the door. It was Dr. Caleb.
Ivy greeted him. “Thanks for coming so quickly.”
“Glad you called.” Caleb examined the kitten’s hind quarter with care. “This little kitten was lucky. Young cats are more resilient.”
While Caleb worked on the kitten, Daisy watched in fascination.
Vanz continued petting the kitten. “Dad never let me have a pet. Can I keep him?”
Mitch and Shelly traded a look, and Shelly nodded. “Unless she belongs to someone else, she can stay with you for now.”
Seeing Vanz bury his head into the kitten’s fur tugged at Ivy’s heart.
Caleb was clearly moved by the boy’s fondness for the kitten. “Would you mind if I took her overnight for observation? I want to make sure she’s okay.”
Vanz stroked the kitten and nodded. “You’ll take good care of her?”
Caleb squatted to eye level with Vanz. “I promise. And my sidekick, a big furry dog named Starry, loves it when I bring home patients so she can mother them. I have acarrier in my vehicle. I’ll get it and come right back for her, okay?”
Vanz nodded with a measure of relief.
Ivy smiled at that, remembering how Starry had looked after Pixie when she was injured. She would ask Caleb if the kitten could stay with him until after they returned from the apple orchard trip they’d planned for tomorrow.
Turning back to Vanz, Shelly asked, “Do you mind if we call your mother?”
Vanz gave her his mother’s phone number. Mitch went outside to make the call.
When Mitch returned, he filled Vanz in on the conversation. “Your dad has disappeared, but your mom plans to stay with her sister while she figures out what to do. She asked if you could stay here temporarily. A few weeks, maybe a month or so, until she gets settled.”
Shelly smiled at the teenager. “We’re happy to have you and the kitten. What will you call it?”
Vanz thought for a moment. “I think she’s lucky, so that’s what I’ll call her. Lucky.”
“That’s a great name,” Shelly said.
When Caleb returned with a carrier, Vanz handed the kitten to him. “Goodbye, Lucky, I’ll see you soon.”
Caleb picked up the carrier and thanked them all for calling him.
After the veterinarian left, Shelly put her arms around Vanz, and after a moment of stiffness, he melted into her hug. His thin shoulders shook with silent sobs while Shelly held him, and Mitch wrapped his arms around them.
Ivy reached for Bennett, and he clasped her hand, squeezing gently. She watched the heartfelt scene, hoping that Vanz wouldn’t flee during the night.
14
The next day, after receiving a call from Mitch, Bennett arrived at Mitch and Shelly’s beach bungalow.
Mitch met him outside. “Thanks for coming over. I was relieved to see Vanz still sleeping when I got up this morning. I was afraid he might bolt during the night, but he stayed. He even called his mom this morning. I think he’s a good kid at heart. I could be wrong, but I really believe that. His mom seems to have influenced him more than his wacko dad.”
