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“Ex-boyfriend after what he did today,” I retort. “So, what did he want?”
“He said something about you tripping and knocking Sassy into a wall, and that he figured you’d bring her in to be examined,” she says.
“Yeah, no. That’s definitely not what happened, but sheishurt, and I need to know if Dr. Zack has any friends I can go see who can keep it quiet that I was there. Because I need help too,” I whisper, shame causing my voice to crack.
“Oh, honey, hang on, here’s Dr. Zack for you,” Jolie states. I can hear the phone jostling and smile. The old country vet has been a godsend for years now, and was one of Grampy’s best friends up until he passed.
“Rory, tell me what happened,” Dr. Zack demands in his no-nonsense tone.
I quickly explain what Patrick did after Sassy scratched him, then how I responded. I finish with, “I know one of her paws has something wrong with it, Dr. Zack.”
“What about you, Rory?” His tone is gentler now, as though he’s soothing a frightened animal.
“My left arm is useless, I’ve definitely got bruises on my face and one of my eyes is almost swollen shut, and my ribs are either cracked or broken.”
He whistles before he says, “Yet you still managed to get away? Good girl. Okay, I’ve got a friend, he’s a former Army medic turned vet, and his wife is a nurse. He’ll be able to get Sassy fixed up, and you as well. Give me a minute and I’ll text his information to you, then I’ll give him a call and let him know you’re on your way. You be careful, sweetheart. Your grandfather is probably rolling over in his grave right now at what’s happened.”
“He’s likely laughing his ass off, Dr. Zack, because I’m driving the RV he and I rebuilt. Patrick never had any interest in what was in ‘that old barn’ as he called it, so I never apprised him of its contents. But I’ve known for a few months I was going to have to leave, I just wish Sassy hadn’t paid the price this morning.”
“She’s resilient, Rory. Now, you be sure and let me know if you need anything for either her or you, okay?”
Smiling, I agree, even though I know I have enough money to take care of both of us. “Thanks, Dr. Zack.”
“Take care of yourself. I’ll follow up with Dr. Terry later on today and see how Sassy made out.”
After disconnecting the call, I wait for the text to come through then program the address into the GPS that Grampy and I upgraded when we were working on the RV. It is a newer model, so it has a lot of features, but that wasn’t good enough for my grandfather. Nope, he made sure that the top-of-the-line electronics were installed, and replaced filters, gaskets, the mattress on the loft bed. Anything that the prior owners might have used, he removed and upgraded whenever possible.
“Okay, Sassy girl, let’s go see what Dr. Terry has to say, shall we?” I ask my girl, who has been relatively quiet in the passenger seat.
* * *
“Alright, young lady, now that Sassy’s squared away, let’s see what’s going on with you,” Dr. Terry says.
“She’s really going to be okay?” I ask, sniffling. Seeing her so still had me freaked way the hell out, but Dr. Terry explained that animals were smarter than people and when they realized something hurt, they wouldn’t do whatever it was they tried to do again. She’s now sporting an IV in her shaved front leg, and a bright pink cast on the broken one. Everything else, including the bloodwork which he was able to rush somehow, looks good as well, which has alleviated some of the anguish that’s been keeping my own pain at bay.
I hop up onto the exam table while he puts on a new pair of gloves, wincing when he lightly touches around my swollen eye. Breathing is hard, too, and I can’t help the gasp I emit when he lightly palpates my rib cage.
“To answer your question, yes, she’s going to be just fine. The cast should be able to come off in about six weeks or so. Now as for you, missy, your ribs are cracked and unfortunately, there’s not much that can be done for those except for wrapping them. I also want to take an X-ray of your left arm. I’ve got a friend who’s an orthopedist on standby to read it for me since I gathered from Dr. Zack that discretion was important.”
“It is. I don’t want him to find us,” I whisper, shame causing me to turn beet red.
“He won’t. My wife and I have a mother-in-law tiny house at the back of our property. You’re welcome to stay there until you and Sassy are feeling better,” he replies. “Now, let’s see what’s going on with that arm. My friend, Dr. Wilson, is bringing his supplies here because I suspect it’s a simple break that won’t require any surgery.”
“I appreciate this, Dr. Terry,” I reply, following him into the X-ray room. “This is kind of funny, you taking these here at a vet clinic,” I tell him once he has my arm positioned on the table.
“Well, before I went into veterinary medicine, I spent ten years as a medic in the Army. Turns out, I enjoy dealing with animals more than people.”
I can’t help the giggle that escapes at his confession. “Yeah, some folks make me wonder who raised them,” I mutter darkly, thinking of Patrick.
“Okay, hold your breath,” he advises, going behind the screen where I hear a buzzing sound before he comes back and removes something from the machine before taking it over to a light board. Turning it on, he slides the X-ray inside and I can clearly see my radius is snapped cleanly in two. Well, that explains the pain, I guess. “Let me take you to my office so you can be comfortable until Dr. Wilson arrives,” he kindly says, turning the light board off.
“What about Sassy?”
“Oh, she’s living the high life right now,” he teases. “She’s got an IV in giving her pain meds, as well as some fluids. She’ll stay here tonight at least, then tomorrow, I’ll bring her back to you.”
Well, it’s not like I can really keep going, seeing as every minute that passes increases my pain level, especially now that my arm has been manipulated in order for him to take the X-ray. “Okay.”
“I promise, Rory, that you’ll be safe here,” he assures me as we cross the threshold into his office.
