“They need a lot of care.”
“And the kittens?”
“They’re just little and Mal had mentioned that you were nearly maxed out.”
Raven considered their numbers, “I can take them.If all else fails I can keep them at my place for a day or two.I’m hoping the Pages and Paws launch at the bookstore will help move a few more to new homes.I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
She pulled into the back parking lot a short while later.Roslyn unlocked the door and let her in.
“I’m sorry to do this,” she said, “but yeah, I don’t know why people hoard cats.It’s becoming more of a problem now.”She led Raven into her back room and showed her the mother who was nursing four tiny tabby kittens.Their eyes still tightly closed.The mother was thin, and her coat was dull.She hadn’t eaten well in a while it seemed.
“It’s a shame to have to interrupt her,” said Raven.
“Well, I can put you to work for a few minutes,” said Roz.“I have to check over the new cats that have arrived and immunize them.You can help me hold them.”She turned to her assistant then.“Can you put the mom and kitten in one of the large carriers when they’re done nursing and bring them in?”
The assistant nodded and Raven followed her friend to an examination room.As Roz examined the first cat, speaking softly to it while she checked her over, she said.“By the way, how’s Wren doing?I miss the updates since Madison moved into the dorm at school and Wren moved in with her boyfriend.”
Boyfriend?So that was it.She had no idea Wren had moved in with a boyfriend.Hadn’t even known she had a boyfriend.Her breath caught and her head felt light.What had happened to them?How could Wren have stopped sharing some of the most important moments in her life with her own mother?
And how could she admit that she didn’t know.Especially to Roz.She knew Madison would never shut Roz out like Wren had done.
“As far as I know things are going well.I don’t hear as much from her lately.She’s always so busy…” Too busy to call her mother anyway.“How’s Madison?”
Rosalyn shrugged.“I think she misses living with Wren.I know they sometimes fought like sisters, but they are also close like that.She says it’s not like the old days.”
“I sometimes miss the old days too,” said Raven wandering over to look at the other recently rescued cats.They seemed emaciated and she could tell they would have a long road to recovery.
“I miss it too sometimes,” admitted Rosalyn.“Don’t get me wrong, I love Andrew, and I don’t regret marrying him, but when you and I lived together a lot of things were just easier.”
“I know the feeling,” said Raven thinking of the many days and nights they worked side by side to build up the rescue centre and helping Rosalyn establish her vet practice in town.“But life has its phases and it seems our cohabitating single parent phase is over.”
“How are you doing?”asked Rosalyn.“Ever get lonely out there at the farm?”
Raven shrugged.“Not as much as I did before Mal and Daisy moved into the other house.It’s helped to have them out there, close enough to help with the cats.It gives me more freedom.”
“And how are things going with Lance?”Roz asked nonchalantly.
Raven laughed.“Ah so that’s what you really want to know.All about my love life.”
“Let’s just say people… and by people, I mean me… just want to know you’re moving on.I know if I didn’t have Andrew, I would be feeling the empty nest a whole lot more than I do.”
“It’s coming along.We have a lot more in common than I thought at first.”She smiled as she thought of Lance and his new cat Tilly.“Let’s just say I’m hopeful.It’s been a long time since I had a man in my life.”
“Well don’t forget to invite me to the wedding,” Roz laughed.
“Let’s get through the launch at the bookstore first and see if we survive that,” Raven smiled knowing that Roz was joking.They both knew how bad her first marriage had been, and that trusting another man enough to cohabitate with him, let alone marry him, was a long way off.
The assistant walked back into the room then, carrying the cats.
“Do you need help getting them to the car?”asked Roz.
“I’ll be fine” Raven picked up the carrier.“I’ll see you at Sunday brunch?”
“Yes, I am looking forward to hearing all about the event.”
Raven gave Roz a hug with her free arm and went out to put the cats in the back of the car.
Then she drove over to Lance’s store to let him know that she would have to take a raincheck.
