AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sure.” She walks away with a surprised look, as if she expected that conversation to go worse than it did.
I have the entire staff on edge. I need to hire a receptionist and quick. I realize I haven’t followed up with the temp agency. If I don’t do that shortly, I won’t have anyone for tomorrow, either. Hopefully, my reputation hasn’t preceded me there.
I draw in a slow breath. Focus on this cat.
Maria comes to the surgery bay door. “All the exams this morning have gone fine, but we have three diagnostics in kennels. We need Vera to handle them since you’re running ragged.”
“Can Betty do them?” I finish up the stitches and tie them off.
“She tried, but all the machines are new since she was last here full-time. Vera can’t leave the lobby to show her.”
“Can Betty do the phones and Vera do the diagnostic?”
“That would only help us for another half hour. Betty has an appointment of her own and can’t stay.”
This is ridiculous. Mondays are always all hands on deck, but with one less employee, we’re completely strung out.
“I’m going to move this one to her kennel before we wake her. She’s pretty wild. Can you grab a warming blanket?” I deflate the intubation and pet the sleeping cat’s head.
“Will do.” Maria hesitates. “You know Vera is not super great on the phone.”
“I know.”
“She gets frazzled kind of easily if there are many people in the lobby.”
“I understand.”
“Todd ran both of the exam rooms while I helped you.”
“I hear you.”
When the cat starts to twitch, I gently remove the tube and slide her into the kennel her owner brought, adjusting the warming blanket around her. It’s not a bad way to wake up. I scrub down at the sink while Maria quickly sanitizes the surgery bay.
I have zero time for Ensley. What the hell sort of surprise is this? I’ll have to be quick. And then call the temp agency. And then come back and see where we are.
I realize at the last minute there’s blood on my coat and whip it off. I have a clean one hanging by my desk.
The door to my office is mostly closed. I straighten my shirt as I prepare to go in, then pause. Ensley’s talking.
“Daniels Vet Care. How may I help you?”
I peek through the crack. Ensley’s on my desk phone.
“Oh, that does sound scary! Dr.Daniels and the techs are in exam rooms. Can I take down all the details and have one of them call you?” She glances around for a piece of paper, then pulls a blank one from the printer.
“Got it. Yes. And which patient? How old? Do you know how much Sissy weighs? Oh good. I’ve got it all down. We’ll get back to you. Think all the positive thoughts until then!”
She punches the button and picks up another call. “Mrs.Evers, I’m back. I’m so sorry. Please continue your story.” She listens, tapping the pen on her desk. “So you talked to Dr.Daniels last week? What did he say?”
She nods as if the other person can see her. “Oh, I can tell you really love that sweet Bennie. You know, I’ll leave him a quick note about this, but it sounds like Dr.Daniels gave you some wonderful advice last time. If you try it a bit longer, I bet you’ll find Bennie is gobbling that kibble down.”
Another pause. “Oh, I did enjoy talking to you, too, Mrs.Evers. Kiss Bennie for me!”
She punches the button and scans the lights. She seems satisfied and moves from my chair to the small chair in the corner.
I step inside.
She stands up. “Drew! Surprise!”
