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“I’m not so sure about that. I’m going to need your help, too, by the way.” My statement sounds ominous, so I make sure to hurry up and correct myself. “Not financially.” Mom lets out a small laugh. My parents aren’trichrich, but they are better off than most. They also worked their tails off to get to where they are now. Honestly, retirement will probably be on the horizon, and my brother is next in line to either buy the practice off of them or do whatever the three of them decide. Whatever it is, as long as everything works for all of them, that’s all that matters.
“Tallulah, you barely let us do anything for you. We fought how long over the cost of college?When your scholarship didn’t cover your lab fees, and what did you do? Became a student aid to pay for it. I swear the only time you needed help and actually asked was when you worked as an intern for free. That about killed you. Your father and I will always be here. It doesn’t matter how old you are, if we can do anything to help, we’re going to.” And while they’ve told me this since, well, forever. Deep down in my heart and soul it’s still hard to ask for help.
“Well, yeah. You wouldn’t want me to be a spoiled little princess who expects everything, though, either.” I wait for her response.
“You’re right about that. Okay, time to get back to the task at hand before your dad forgets where the four-by-fours are in the supply cabinet. That father of yours is going to drive me crazy. Yesterday, he couldn’t find syringes. You know where they were?”
“Where?” I’m sitting in the middle of the spare room. There are piles of boxes, mostly the ones I never unpacked when we moved from Colorado to Arrowleaf. How does the saying go?If you haven’t used it or missed it, you don’t really need it.
“Right in front of his face. I picked them up and slapped him in the chest with the whole pack.” I chuckle while she grumbles about men being blind. “Anyways, enough about the antics going on around here. Tell me what’s bothering my favorite girl.” I have two best friends: Birdieand my mom. Even if we had a stupid disagreement, neither of us could hold a grudge. Our little tiffs would barely last ten minutes before one of us apologized and we talked it out.
“Right. Well, first things first. Have you ever filed a complaint to the state veterinary licensing board?” I’m going ass backwards in terms of events, but this is the part I’m going to really need her help on, especially articulating the report.
“Once. It was maybe ten years ago. I’m assuming this goes hand in hand with the way you said my name?”
“Yeah, I need to file one against Herbert. It’s not great, and from what Maureen, the receptionist, said, I think it’s been going on for a long time.” I delve into the specifics, telling her about how Herbert only wanted to hear one side of the story and didn’t so much as open Boyd’s chart. The good ole boys club can shove it up their pipe and smoke it. I break down, crying once again, feeling like I’ve failed. My brain tells me to not be dumb, I did the right thing, but my heart is sayinghmm, I’m not so sure about that.Think about all the animals and their owners who are stuck with Herbert.
“Well, it sounds to me like he needs a foot shoved up his ass,” she interrupts after I tell her about the conversation.
“He needs to have his head examined, is what he needs. But, Mom, I’ve never quit a job like this, ever. I’m sure word is going to getaround, and while the Johnsons will undoubtedly use my services, that won’t be a daily occurrence. Plus, I’m kind of in a committed relationship with Dean.” I wince, worried about everything I’m piling onto her.
“First of all, I’ll help you with the report. You don’t even have to ask. You start it, I’ll read over it, make sure there are more facts and less emotion. Then you can file it. Your dad and I will have your back, always.” I hear her typing on her computer in the background. She can multi-task like no other. Listening, typing, and processing all at the same time. I mean, there probably won’t be one single error either. I strive to be like my mother one day.
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“I know. On to the next topic. One day, you’re going to have children, and you’re going to notice certain things. How their voice changes when they talk about someone important to them. You’ll even realize they bring said person up more than they normally would. Hence, I already know about Dean Johnson. And as long as you’re happy, Tully, we’re happy. Of course, the next time I can peel your dad away from work, we’ll be out to see you.” I push a box away, boxes of college books I’ll probably never use again, but turning them in would be a lost cause. They may cost hundreds of dollars at the time of purchase, but the second your class is over, the bookstore on campus will buy it backfor a few bucks. Therefore, in the donation pile they go.
“I’d really like that. Maybe Dean and I can get away for a weekend when things settle down to come visit, too. Though, the number of animals he keeps bringing home might make that impossible.” Speaking of, I’ve got a date today to see both of our newest editions.
“We’ll make it happen and, honey, we’ll come to you. We can work that way, and this way, your brother can see what it’ll be like when we retire.” Mom is all about hands-on experience. I don’t think Tucker realizes he’s going to lose not only Dad but also Mom, and everyone knows she’s the glue holding it together.
“Alright, we have plenty of room at the house. There’s also the greenhouse, Ms. Ellie would love to see you all again.” I’ll have to make sure she doesn’t mind hosting my parents, and I’m sure she wouldn’t as long as there aren’t any future plans to rent it out.
“Wherever is fine with us.” I can visualize her waving me off. My parents aren’t picky about where they lay their head on vacation. “Alright, the last and final subject. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but we put money aside for your brother as well as you. He chose not to go the scholarship route, stubborn man child.” Tucker decided high school and freshman year of college was party central, and his average grades didn’t help him much. Neither did failing three classes. Needlessto say, I learned from his mistakes. “Anyways, we paid off his tuition for him when he graduated with said money. Whereas you, my smart girl, I swear you get that quality from your mother.” I can’t help but smile. We look alike and act alike. We’re carbon copies of one another.
“Agreed.” As for the money part, I wasn’t aware and would never have banked on any kind of help. We were raised in a way where while our life was comfortable, but our parents’ money wasn’t our money. Tucker and I both had to do extras around the clinic or have a job during the summer.
“Well, you have the same amount of money that Tucker received. It’s now in your bank account. This is your time to start a mobile vet clinic. I know Birdie came up with the idea, although your voice lit up when you talked about it being a great future project. The future is now, Tallulah Alexandria. Take it by the horns and hold on.” It seems this is my week to keep breaking down. Words are hard, probably because emotion is making it hard to breathe, let alone speak. “Tully, do I need to call someone? You’re never speechless.”
“Mom,” I croak. I’m sitting down, thankfully. My head hangs downward. Luckily, the inside of my knees are holding me up, or I’d probably topple backwards and hit myself on the plethora of shit.
“Oh, honey, don’t cry. You know what thatdoes to my mom heart, and I’m not there to hug you.” Mom can’t stand to see or hear her kids upset in any way.
“I’m trying. You and Dad are kind of making it difficult. Thank you, truly.” My voice is muffled because of the way I’m sitting.
“You’re welcome, honey. I should have offered it to begin with. But, well, you were hellbent and whiskey bound, so to speak. We’re here, anytime. I love you, Tallulah.”
“I love you, too, Mom, so much. Please tell Dad to call me when he’s through with patients today.” I try to suck back the tears. No way am I going to end our conversation with the two of us in tears.
“I’ll do you one better. He just walked in.” I hear a soft whisper, and then my dad’s voice comes through the line.
“Proud of you. Takes a lot of guts to leave home and spread your wings. You know I love you, your mom loves you, and even your knucklehead brother loves you. Just like your mom said, we’re always here. We’ll be to Arrowleaf soon, too. Gotta make sure this Dean guy is good enough for my baby girl. Love you, Tallulah.” Well, talk about packing a punch.
“I love you Daddy. I can’t wait for you to meet Dean. He reminds me of you, a lot. He’s caring, hardworking, bends over backwards for the ones he loves.”
“Good, it’s what you deserve. Let us knowwhat we can do to help, and we’ll see you soon, baby girl.” Our conversation has come to an end. I don’t think my heart has ever been this full before, especially with the drama that’s happened this week. And it’s all because of one man, my family, and definitely my friends.
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