“Would you?” Denise sits with me, voice hushed, “You’re not going to tell them you’re not his owner?”
“What if they make me call them tonight, then? They’d have to!”
She hums in agreement, and glances around colorful posters of warnings about heart-worm, advertisements for flea and tick medications, stacks of flyers for dog-training. “Good thing he’s not a puppy. Notice how they’ve got everything out of chewing distance? I hope he’s house-trained, too. Dogs are a lot of responsibility.”
My gaze flicks from the form to her. “Yeah, and I just realized this is going to cost money.”
Her shoulders hunch. “Oh shit.”
Neither of us has extra cash lying around. Our jobs make us happy but they’re not glamorous.
I tap the pen against the forms while my budget marches around, numbers switching places but never getting the least bit comfortable. “I’ve got very little space on my credit cards. That root canal I got in November took my savings. Then Christmas cleared me out.”
“Who did you buy for, because I know you didn’t get me a gift.”
Laughing under my breath I sign the expensive dotted line. “I had to buy for my kids.”
Her neck swings back a little. “The ones they pay you to watch?”
“They expect presents. Besides, I liked doing it.”
She jokes, “Listen guys, I can barely afford rent so suck it up! You’ve got Santa. Enjoy him while you’re young. Tooth fairy, too. Because in the real world, when you need dental work, you pay them!” She smiles at me. “Can’t really tell them that.”
“Umm…no.”
The door opens and Harriet appears with a deep frown. “He’s very scared. Would you mind coming back? We’re having trouble.”
Exchanging a look with Denise, I slowly rise. “Sure, I’ll help.”
The well-meaning woman reminds me, “He trusts his momma!”
My feet aren’t exactly speeding their way toward ‘the reveal’ of my life.
But as the swinging doors open and we walk into a large examining room, I see they’ve got him on a metal table, two men restraining him as he fights, one on either side.
Turns out he hates vets.
The second Bucky locks eyes with me, he relaxes.
Touched, I hurry forward to reassure him, “It’s okay, Bucky, you’re safe!” If he could talk he’d be begging me to get him the fuck out of here.
While they evaluate a more cooperative Labrador, I think about what this means for me, if I were to keep him for good. I live alone, but I spend most days at the mansion of the family who employs me. Maybe they’ll let me bring Bucky? Skylar and Kyle would benefit from having a dog around—all kids need pets. I could propose that to the Schweises and see what they think.
And as for me, it’d be nice to have a buddy living with me. I’m maternal by nature, so I think I could give this a go. Might need to ask for a raise, or get a second job. But really, how much does dog food cost? I could manage with what I make, couldn’t I? After this vet bill is paid off, it can’t be that bad, right?
Soon we’re given the go-ahead, and I’m handed tubes of ointment and bottles of vitamins.
How can I afford all this?
Too proud to turn any of it down I listen to everything they tell me, and promise I’ll return for a checkup in two weeks.
More money, ugh.
Bucky and I walk out to the waiting room. Actually he’s pulling me out, but same thing. Denise joins us at the desk where Harriet amiably logs everything that happened down in a report, her voice chipper as she tells us the weather is sure to be beautiful tomorrow.
Grabbing my wallet I ask, “How much do I owe you?”
“Oh, it was paid for by your friend. I thought you knew that.”
Frowning to Denise I give her a very firm, “No!”
Her hands fly up. “Not me. I didn’t do it!”
Harriet glances between us as she explains, “A man called before you arrived. He wanted to cover the bill. Let me see, just a moment.” Lifting up the transaction receipt, she reads, “Nicholas Devin Cocker.”
Denise and I stare at each other.
“How?”
She makes a noise, thinking about it. “He must have asked that policeman where we were going!”
I’m so relieved and shocked, I can’t even talk.
Harriet asks, up-selling the tab, “Would you like to buy a leash to take Bucky home?”
“No! He’s paid for enough.”
Denise clears her throat and asks me again, “Maddie, you wanna buy a leash?”
“What? Oh, yes, I need a leash. Guess I left it at the house. Duh, totally forgot. I’ll pay for that myself.”
Keying the charge into their computer, Harriet hums to herself.
I blurt, “You have any dog food?”
She blinks.
Denise leans forward, making the funniest face, “We’re curious what an actual vet recommends. Bucky’s been having stomach issues. It’s pretty gross, if you know what I mean. Diarrhea all over.”
“Just stop,” I smile.
Harriet waves her hand. “Don’t worry, I’ve heard worse. We have a great brand with no grain. You want the four-pound bag or the thirty?”
“The four is fine, thank you.” Who knows how long I’ll have him. “Uh, my tab again. Nicholas did enough.”
“It’s right over there in our little shop area. And you can pick out what color leash you want. I charged you for the large-dog one, of course.”
Finally we’re on our way home, Bucky on the new leash, Denise carrying the bags of food and meds.
At the car I hand her the leash, “I forgot something!” and run back inside. “Excuse me, did Nicholas leave his phone number?”
Harriet frowns, “I’m sorry. We don’t ask for that with payment. Only for your name, credit card number, expiration date, plus the code on the back.”
Disappointed I bite my lip, searching for a way. “Thank you.”
“Bucky’ll probably sleep a lot for a little while—don’t be alarmed. He’s just healing.”
Outside I find big black eyes nervously awaiting my return. He stands up when I
