Me: WTF do you mean? I’m out working but we’re on our way back.
Data: See you when you get here then.
“Huh,” I mutter.
“What’s up?” Deacon asks as he maneuvers the Ranger back down the mountain. I can still see the ruins of the roadway that’s not too far off in the distance and realize that what we’re doing is vital to those who live up here.
“My club brother is apparently waiting for me at our base,” I reply. “Only, I have no clue why he’d be here at all.”
“What the hell?” I ask Data as I pull him in for a man hug, being careful of the kitten.
“Rebel figured the club could use one, so he sent me here with it,” Data replies as I stare at the RV behind him. It’s much bigger than the one Ella has, that’s for damn sure, and I’m pretty sure my aching body is cheering loudly over the fact that it’ll be sleeping on a real mattress instead of a sleeping bag in a pup tent.
“This is nice, brother,” I say. “And I wanna see the inside, obviously, but I need to get this little one checked out.”
“What?”
“The kitten Deacon and I found when we were out clearing debris and brush,” I tell him as I start walking toward where the rescue group has set up. Not only will they house pets of those who have to be hospitalized or who are temporarily displaced, but they’ve got food for those who are staying in their homes and are also providing shots free of charge. Do I know how they’re covering that expense? Not a fucking clue, but I make a mental note to give them a donation to help, especially since I’m coming to them with a kitten.
“Oh! What do you have there?” a volunteer asks as I walk into the tent.
“Found a kitten today, but it looks pretty young,” I reply, carefully handing her the orange ball of fur.
“Let’s take a look and see if we can figure things out,” she says. “I’m one of the area vets, most call me Dr. Jo since my last name is hard to pronounce.”
“Well, Dr. Jo, I want to keep her or him, figure any animal that fights so hard to stay alive against the odds deserves a home for the rest of their life,” I tell her. “We checked around where we were working but this one was the only one we found.”
“Could’ve been washed down from one of the mudslides, or dropped by a predator, who knows?” she muses as she slips on a pair of gloves. “Okay, little one, let’s see what we’re dealing with, shall we?”
I watch as she checks it over first, then she uses a stethoscope to listen to the kitten’s heart and lungs, all while she murmurs softly to keep it calm. Honestly, while it’s been years since I’ve had any pets, it’s as if the kitten knows it’s safe so it’s behaving. In fact, it’s purring, even after Dr. Jo takes its temperature. Can’tsay I’d be as calm if I was in that position. The thought has me chuckling as I watch her go through her examination.
“Is it a boy or a girl?” I finally ask.
“Looks like a little boy,” she says. “About four weeks old, give or take, based on the fact that his eyes are open and his size. I could be off by a week due to the circumstances in which he was found, however, so don’t take that as gospel. Regardless, he’s going to need to be bottle fed because he’s too young for kitten food just yet. Good thing I’ve got a decent supply of that, as well as the bottles you’ll need to use.”
“So, he’s too young for any vaccines, correct?” I ask, vaguely remembering vet trips for shots for the family dog.
“Yes, and he’s not old enough to be neutered yet either. Give me a few minutes and I’ll get some information together, as well as supplies, then I’ll provide you with a crash course on how to take care of him.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.”
I look around while she’s gathering things for me, my eyes widening when I see the pile of supplies grow. I smile when I picture Cami’s face, then realize I’ll be raising an infant and a kitten at the same time. All while wondering how Phoebe’s going to react when she sees what I got for her. It doesn’t take much longer and I’m heading back to where Data has parked the RV, my arms laden with a carrier holding the kitten, and a bag with formula, bottles, and a soft bed.
“You’ve got your hands full, brother,” Data chuckles as I reach his side.
“Definitely. Have you seen Phoebe by any chance?” I ask. He gives me a look that immediately has me on edge. “What do you know, Data?” I bite out.
“Now, keep calm, Prophet. She got hurt today while they were out seeing patients. Ella took her to the hospital to get treated.”
“Why couldn’t they do anything here?” I question. I mean, I know the folks with serious injuries get taken to the hospital, but surely that’s not the case here, right?
“Seems she was trying to get their patient out from where he was lodged when a structure collapsed, and her arm caught a railroad spike, then she slipped into the muck that was keeping him stuck. Thelma said she and Ella cleaned it as best as possible, but it needed to be checked at the hospital because the wound was so deep and full of debris, and she’ll probably end up on IV antibiotics or something like that.”
“Let me get the kitten squared away, then we’ll head in that direction,” I state.
He unlocks the RV and other than the fact it’s on wheels with a driver’s cabin in the front, it looks like a tiny house or something inside. I don’t waste any time at all and move down the hallway, opening doors until I find the bathroom. “Okay, little man, let’s get you sorted out so I can go see what’s going on with my woman.”
While I take the time to feed the kitten, Data sets up the bed, making sure there’s nothing on the floor that can hurt the little guy. “I know he’s gotta be fed every few hours, I can take care of that for you because I doubt you’ll want to leave her side,” he says.
