Chapter 1: At the Vet

In the waiting room, I was waiting for my name to be called. There were three people in the chairs, including me. I had my phone out and was browsing a website that failed to capture my interest. Instead, I was sneaking glances at the other two people.

There was one guy in the far corner that seemed like a mismatch. He was possibly six and a half feet tall, muscular, pierced, and extensively tattooed. I notice tall people because I’m tall myself: two inches under six feet. What? I’m a woman, silly, and that was tall enough for varsity women’s basketball at my huge high school ten years ago.

Mismatch? He was there with his Yorkshire Terrier, a small, white, fluffy dog not much bigger than a house cat. For a little dog, he was remarkably calm. I might have taken more notice of the big man, but tattoos don’t appeal to me.

To the left of me, though, was a more conventional-looking guy. Two things about him jumped out at me: he didn’t have a pet with him, and he was upset. Like guys do, he was trying to control and conceal his emotions, but I could see the extra wetness in his eyes.

“Ms. Orne?” They called me up to the desk. “We’re ready for you; come on back.”

I pulled my papers out of my bag and followed the woman back to their office area. My beloved dog Ellie had been to this office six months ago, unfortunately, to be euthanized. She had cancerous tumors, and I made the hard decision to let her go before she was too sick to enjoy life. I only had her for eight years, and she was such a good girl.

This office had been sending me bills for somebody else’s dog, and I got nowhere with them over the phone. Frustrated and angry, I’d come back to the vet’s office to straighten out the mess in person.

“My dog died here six months ago. This statement says you spayed and wormed her last month. You need to stop billing ME for someone else’s dog! I kept my voice controlled, but with enough of an edge to show my anger.”

It took more time than it should have, but I finally got through to the dimwit I was talking to and resolved the situation. It was a stupid reason for me to make this trip, and it reminded me of my sweet girl, so I left the office area both sad and cranky.

The upset guy was leaving just ahead of me, and we passed through the outer door into the street. I was perhaps two steps behind him as we walked between two parked SUVs. Suddenly, I realized he was about to step in front of a passing car, and I rushed forward and grabbed his arm, pulling him backwards just enough to avoid getting hit.

“Be careful!”

He seemed to shake himself and looked at my face with surprise and shock.

“Oh! I’m sorry. Thanks.”

I gave him a second look. He’d been crying. I was ticked off, and I didn’t have any patience.

“You should NOT be driving. Over there is a Starbucks; you’re going to sit there and calm down before you kill yourself or somebody else. I’m buying.”

“But...”

“Walk!” Did I mention I was angry?

We found a table.

“What are you drinking?”

“But...”

“God! You’re so irritating. What do you want to drink?”

“Grande Mocha, please.”

“Better. I’m Iris Orne. What’s your name?”

“Ben. Can I give you some...”

“I just said, ‘I’m buying.’ I want you to sit there and look pretty while I get your coffee.”

Look pretty? Iris, calm down. I put in the orders and paid, then waited at the counter while trying not to ogle the pastries. Seeing me approaching, Ben stood and held my chair for me. Nice!

“Thank you, Ben. Here’s your mocha. Have a sip, then tell your Auntie Iris why you’re so upset that you walk into traffic.”

“It must be obvious. My dog Eddie died an hour ago. I was sitting there trying to get, to get...”

I put my hand on his arm.

“I understand. How long did you have him?”

“It was fourteen years—since before I started high school. My older sister got him, but then she discovered boys and passed him over to me. He was the best dog; I loved him. He shadowed me all around the house; he was good on walks, I could go on and on.”

“I know what it’s like. My Ellie died six months ago, and I still miss her. I was at the vet because they were billing me for treatments on somebody else’s dog even though they were the ones who euthanized my dog. She had cancer.”