“I haven’t even processed Mae’s death,” I continue. “I can’t feel her anymore. Did you know that when you told me you loved me just now, it was the first time I’ve heard those words in two weeks? I’m struggling with all of this. It’s only been a couple days, and I’m already feeling… I just can’t be consumed by you, like before.”
“Consumedby me? That’s what you think our relationship would be like now? After what I’ve shared with you? After the work I’ve put in to be worthy of you?” he chokes out.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I…I wasn’t expecting any of this, and it feels overwhelming.”
“So we go back to how we were before? We don’t talk at all? I’ll respect your choice, Gracie, butGod. It’s…”
“No, I don’t want to lose you as a friend.”
He ducks his chin, trying to look directly in my eyes like he’s searching for any indication I didn’t mean what I said. “That’s what you need? For us to be friends?”
“Yes. For now, or… I don’t know how long. That’s what I need.”
Danny nods, resigned.
As he walks to the fridge to refill our water glasses, I barely catch him saying, “We’ll get there again.”
Chapter 37
Grace
March
One Month Later
Iglance down at my scrubs again, which are coated in slobber, fur, and a little bit of dog vomit. I sigh and repeat my mantra, as I do every time I find myself covered in animal fluids:
At least my patients aren’t human.
At least my patients aren’t human.
At least my patients aren’t human.
Breathing in and out through my mouth, I feel better already. The mantra works every time. I try to remember how many clean pairs of scrubs I have on hand as I walk down the hallway to my office. My day is almost over, but I’d rather not see my last patient in splattered scrubs. I peek in the closet right outside my office door and pull out my personal favorite—a bright pink set.
As I strip out of my blues and put on my pinks in my office, my cell vibrates on my desk. I eagerly snatch up my phone, knowing right away who messaged me.
How’s the Best Vet Within Twenty Miles Of Columbus doing today?
Currently covered in dog vomit and slobber.
That good?
Yep, and I already got three “can you trim his nails today, too?” requests.
The Curse of the Overgrown Nails strikes again.
The vomit and the nail trimming I can handle, but I also had a frustrating case. One of my patients wasn’t responding to the medicine as well as I’d like.
Why don’t you try prescribing bacon? That always made Charger feel better…
If you suggest “bacon” or “a little treat” one more time for a sick patient, I will block you.
You wouldn’t.
After our intense talk, digging up old feelings and addressing new ones, we took some time for ourselves before my flight back home. We’d both needed to process what happened. Danny reached out after a few days and sent me a text requesting a picture of my Unofficial Patient of the Week. From there, we’ve talked regularly for almost a month now, tentatively building a friendship again.
Through our conversations, I’ve learned small things about Danny, like he can’t handle caffeine after 2:00 p.m. He’s fully into all things Marvel, which is unsurprising for Mr. Spider-Bite Conspiracy Theorist. I am dismayed to learn he golfs now, too.
