“Oh, my!” exclaimed Ms. Sullivan.
Before Dhillon could make a move to investigate, the lights came back on.
“Ms. Vora, make a note to call the electrician tomorrow. I don’t like that flickering,” Dhillon said. Probably another huge expense he wouldn’t be able to afford.
“Sure thing, Dr. Vora.”
Hetal and Dhillon coaxed Rocky onto the exam table, and Dhillon started his basic exam. Rocky was fine and up-to-date on shots, so Dhillon declared Rocky perfectly healthy.
Hetal checked them out as Dhillon went to check on Nala, Coco and London before leaving. Nala was a small hound mix, and Coco and London were Australian mini labradoodles.
All three dogs had been spayed that morning, and Dhillon liked to keep them overnight for observation. Tristan was as smart as they came, and it would be good for her to see, in any case.
Coco and London seemed to be doing just fine, but Nala had vomited a couple of times from the anesthesia. He cleaned Nala up and updated their charts for Tristan, even though Hetal would give her the rundown.
“Hetal,” he called out, grabbing his backpack, “I’m leaving. Nala puked, but the others are great.” He walked to the front. “Hetal?”
She was sitting at the desk, unnaturally still, her face contorted. Dhillon went into big-brother mode, instantly dropping his backpack and going to her. “Hey, Hetal, what happen—”
Dhillon stopped as he realized what had caused her reaction. A package had come from the crematory. Lucky’s ashes. His heart fell into his stomach. He put an arm around Hetal, and she melted into him like she used to when she was little.
They stared at the package together. Finally, Dhillon cleared his throat. “I’ll take it home. Riya—”
Hetal nodded and wiped her eyes. “Of course.”
Dhillon waited while his sister composed herself. “You okay waiting for Tristan?”
“She just texted. She’ll be here in ten minutes.” She blew her nose.
He kissed his sister’s forehead and grabbed the box and his backpack. “I’ll make dinner.”
“I’m going to finish pulling charts for tomorrow.” Hetal paused. “You know you can get your own place, right?”
“You want to talk about this now?”
“I’m saying, we’re all fine. You don’t have to always take care of us. You’re thirty years old. And you live at home with your mom and sister. You’ll never get a girl like this.”
“Well, I guess with Mom dating, it cramps everyone’s style,” he replied sarcastically.
“Exactly!” Hetal wasn’t kidding.
“I went on a date. With a beautiful, intelligent woman.”
“And all you did was find fault with her.”
“She hates pets!” Dhillon waved his arms at his surroundings. “And chocolate. Come on.”
Hetal rolled her eyes. “That’s one girl. You’re a nice guy. I’ve heard you are handsome—hot, even.” She shuddered. “You can’t live at home forever.”
“You just want me gone so you can do whatever you want.”
Hetal shook her head. “Kids need to be away from their parents at some point.”
Dhillon just stared at her. “I’m not your parent.”
She shrugged. “But you’re not always just my brother, either.”
Dhillon was speechless. His run-in with his uncle last night was fresh in his head. So was the talk with Riya after. He didn’t know what to say to her.
