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“No what ifs. I promise, I got this.” She sure sounded confident, if only she felt it. “Why don’t you use the restroom and splash some water on your face? It might make you feel better. I’ll be right here.”
“Yeah, okay.” Angie nodded and headed across the room.
Phew.
She didn’t want her to be standing there if she had to negotiate with the receptionist.
The woman came back with a printout. “Here are the initial charges that need to be paid prior to treatment. There could be more, but if you can cover this, we’ll get started.”
Wow. She hadn’t been kidding about the expense of the anti-venom. Crystal handed her the credit card.
Her pulse throbbed in her veins, and she dug her nails into her palm as the woman swiped the card.
Agonizing seconds ticked by until the machine beeped.
“It went through.” The receptionist tore off the receipt. “If you can sign this, I’ll let the doctor know we have the green light.”
Crystal let out an audible breath and picked up the pen with a shaky hand. Thank God, they could at least give him the shot. She’d take it one step at a time.
Angie returned, her face pink from scrubbing makeup and tears from her cheeks.
“Everything is paid up for now. Don’t worry, they’re treating him. Why don’t you sit down and try to relax? I need to make a call,” she said.
She stepped outside and dialed Zach.
He picked up on the first ring. “Where are you?”
The sound of his voice sent a thrill through her body. God, it was good to hear from him. “We’re at Meyer’s Animal Hospital. I needed the GPS and couldn’t answer the phone earlier.”
“It’s okay. Paul called me from the boat and said Murphy got bit by a rattlesnake. He asked for a ride, so I’m picking up the family from the dock to bring them. At least I know where to go now. What happened? They didn’t have details.”
“He’s being treated. I don’t know much else about his health yet. I’ll fill you in on the rest when you get here. Angie is a wreck, and I need to get back to her.”
“All right. See you soon.”
She hung up and took a seat next to Angie. “Zach’s bringing your family once they meet him at the dock.”
“Okay.” She frowned at her phone screen. “This says a lot of dogs die from rattlesnake bites.”
“The internet can be scary. People always post the worst stories, and you never know which sites to trust. Murphy is being cared for and should be okay. We got him here fast.”
Crystal covered the screen with her palm. “You know I made it to the top without much talent. With that voice of yours, you might have a shot.”
Angie rolled her eyes. “Now you sound like my mom. She keeps saying the same thing.”
“Maybe you should listen to her. She’s in your corner. Trust me, I know the difference.”
“What do you mean?”
Her shoulders tensed. If she had any chance of getting through to the kid, she might need to share some of her painful past. “My mother only used me to make money. She never cared about me. I’m sure your parents want you to be happy and to share your gift. I’d have given anything for that kind of love and support. Maybe cut them some slack?”
Angie frowned. “You mean you grew up with no family?”
“Yup.”
“So you never went to any birthday parties for relatives? Barbecues in the backyard with balloons everywhere?”
Celebrating birthdays? Crystal’s mother was never sober enough to remember one. “No, and that’s my point. Don’t take it for granted. Those people will be there for you.”
