AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I grew up in a small town. Graduated with about seventy people. I remember how nice it was that everyone knew my name. I could say hi to any teacher and they knew me. I want the same for Arthur.
Being a single dad hasn’t always been easy. I had to learn real quick how to care for him after his mother walked out on us. She pulled away from him for the first two months after he was born. She said she thought she could be a mom but she didn’t want to. I tried to help her, but in the end, it was her choice. I haven’t heard from her since.
I’ve tried a few times to go out, meet women, and there was one who almost stayed. She was the first woman I ever introduced to Arthur as my girlfriend and when she left, I vowed to never do it again until I was one hundred percent certain. I never want to get his hopes up and see the devastation in his eyes when his hope fades.
“Here we are, Arthur, our new home,” I say to my son.
“Wow, that house is huge. Way better than that stupid apartment.”
We pile out of the truck and stand at the front. I put my hand out in front of me and sweep it across.
“This is all ours. Fifteen acres to play on, have animals on, grow food on, anything you want, buddy.”
“That’s awesome,” he says, before he runs into the open space.
I take a deep breath in, filling my lungs with mountain fresh air.
This is going to be good for us.
I had everything delivered before we got here and paid extra to have them set up the bedrooms, living room and dining room furniture. Our apartment in Phoenix was a small two bedroom, so we don’t have a ton to unpack. I imagine I can do it over this weekend.
“Arthur,” I call out to my son, who is now gathering twigs.
He runs up to me, his arms full, his face messy, and it makes my heart happy.
“We need to go to the grocery store, why don’t you put those on the front porch so they don’t get lost.”
“Okay, Dad.”
After he does that, we get back in the truck and head into town.
Columbus Falls is a quaint little town. The streets are lined with old buildings, there’s a train that runs through it, there’s river access with camping and not one stop light.
“Before we go there, I need to make a quick stop by my work,” I tell him.
“Will I get to see inside?”
“Of course. It’s technically my practice now. I just need to talk to the prior owner real quick, this is her last day.”
I made my love of animals into a career. I have been a Veterinarian for twelve years, and that was after six years of schooling. It has its hard days but the good days out way them by a lot.
“Dad look,” Arthur says, pointing to the big sign outside. “It says our last name on it.”
“It sure does,” I reply, nodding my head. My chest fills with pride. This is the first time I have owned my own practice.
“So cool.”
I laugh. “Agreed, buddy. Let’s go inside.”
I park, then we go inside. It’s your typical vet office. Big waiting area, big front desk and a hall of doors. This is the first time I am seeing it in person. I’ve gotten lots of pictures and we did a video tour a couple times.
“Hi, can I help you?” the lady at the front desk asks me.
“Hi, I’m Ethan Walker. I’m the new owner.”
Her eyes grow wide as she gives me the up and down.
“Is Dr. Madris here?”
