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The Butler's Vessel (Duty & Magic: MM Modern Day Regency) S. Rodman
The story,allnames,characters,andincidents portrayedinthis productionare fictitious Noidentificationwithactualpersons (livingor deceased),places,buildings,and productsisintendedorshouldbeinferred
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Epilogue
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TheNecromancer'sPrisoner
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AlsoByElricShaw
One Ash
MYRIDESHARE’S CAR DOOR slams shut behind me like a thunderclap The sound perfectly encapsulates the stormof emotionsroilingthroughmeasIheftmysuitcaseandtakeinwhereI’llbelivingforthenextyear.
Anunreasonable number ofgardengnomes grimace atme as Itrudge up the stone pathto a saggingporchwhere a dozen windchimesmadeofmetal,wood,glass,andGodknowswhatelsetinklemerrilyinalightbreeze. Ialreadyloathethisplace.
Just one year, ItellmyselfasIsetdownmysuitcaseandknockonthefrontdoor. Then, you’ll be free to disappear. “Hangon,”acheerfulvoicecalls.“Berightthere!”
Withanyluck, they’ll spread the word to the rest of mynew school to leave me the hell alone. It’s better that way. For everyone.
The door bursts open to reveal a heavyset woman draped in a sequined dress, her hair pulled back and mostly hidden beneathasheerscarf.BeforeIcanreact,shedragsmeintoanembrace.Istiffen,barelyresistingtheurgetoshoveheraway. “Ashton!”AuntClaudettesqueals,squeezingtighter “It’sgoodtoseeyou!”
Thehall dead-endsinthelivingroom.Moreshapesadornthewallsthere,alongwithdanglingcrystalsandshelvesfull of oddknickknacksIcan’tplace.Anarrowstaircaseinbackascendstothesecondfloor,whereIassumethebedroomsmustbe.
“Iknowthingshaven’tbeenthe easiest for you, Ash. Your dad’s illness, then what happened with your mom, and now this recent business at your old school ”
Tensiongripsme.Whatexactlydidmygrandparentstellher?Notthewholetruth theEllingtonswouldneveradmit that to anyone.ButwhataboutHarvey?Orthatawfulnight?
Aunt Claudette must catchmyclenched jaw because she makes a soothinggesture “Don’t worry, I won’t pry Whatever happenedis your storytotelliforwhenyoufeeluptoit.Eitherway,Bantonistheperfectplaceforafreshstart.I’mcertain you’llmakesomenewfriendsinnotime” “Yeah.Sure.”
Uncertaintyflickersoverherface,quicklymuffledbeneathanothersmile “Okay I’llleaveitinyourcapablehands,then” She changes the subject. I mostly tune her out, nodding or shrugging by rote while I examine the eclectic collection of objects. The roomisn’tas small as I’d firstthought. It’s justcrammed full ofso manyshelves and trinkets thatthere’s little spaceleftforactualpeople.
Shesmilesandreachesforit “ATarotdeck,”sherepliesassheslidesthewoodenlidoff,unveilingastackofworncards She flips the top one over to reveal a stylized moon. “Eachcard represents a differentaspectofyour life. They’re meantto helpyouworkthroughquestionsorproblems Icandoareadingforyouifyoulike” I’mshakingmyheadbeforesheevenfinishesspeaking,myheartbeatquickening.“Pass.”That’stheabsolute last thingIneed tobemessingwith.
“Suit yourself” She returns the deck to the box “But if you’re ever curious, just let me know I’mnot sure what your grandparentstoldyouaboutmysituation,butI’mapracticingpsychic.”
Somethinginmyexpressionmustgiveawaymydisdainbecausesheraisesaneyebrow “What,youdon’tbelieveinmagic?” Theironyofthesituationalmostmakesmelaugh. Oh, I believe in magic all right that’s precisely the problem.
Atwinbedtuckedagainstthewall Aclosetemptyofanythingbuthangars Ascarreddeskandswivel chairinthecorner Marks on the walls where things had once hung probably more of the displays so prevalent everywhere else. My aunt must’vetakenthemdownbeforeIarrived
I collapse onto my new bed with a sigh and stare at the ceiling, absently counting the tiny holes left over from old decorations.NowthatI’malone,Ifeelbadforrushingoutonmyauntlikethat.Sheseemsniceenough,evenifshe had washed herhandsofmethesepastfiveyears.
dowhateverIwant.Tolivelifeonmyownterms…evenifI’mnotsurewhatthoseareyet. Mychestconstrictsatthemurkyprospectofmyfuture.Sometimes,Iwonderiftheworldwouldbebetteroffwithoutmein it DadandMomcertainlywould’vebeen Dadcould’veenjoyedhisfinaldaysinpeace,andMom well,shemightevenstill bealive.
That’s what happens when you let anyone get too close: they end up hurt Groaning, Iroll over and stumble to mysuitcase, rummagingaround until Ifind the familiar orange bottle. Thanks to the Ellingtons,Ihaveaccesstothebestprescription-gradesleepingpillsonthemarket anecessityinmycase I tap two out into my palm and down them dry before settling back into bed. It’s not long before the familiar heavy drowsinesstakeshold,andasIsinkdownintomyself,IprayasIalwaysdoforanotherdreamlessnight.
Notsomuchbecauseofclasses,thoughIdon’tdreadthemthewayCatdoes.Theendofsummeralsomeansanendtomy soul-suckingschedule at the Red Rocket I don’t know how Momcanstaysane after eight hours or more of bendingover backwardtoappeaseunreasonablediners.
As if you ’ ve left her much of a choice Mystepsfalter,mygutchurning.Somuchformygoodmood.
Afamiliar voice calls outto me, and Ishove downmyguilt, plasteringona smile as Iturnto face mythree bestfriends. “Heyguys!What’sup?”
“Thesky,”Alexisrepliescheerfully.She’swearingherusualknee-lengthnavyskirtalongwithalong-sleevedwhiteblouse. Theconservativeoutfitprobablywould’velookeduptightifnotfor her serenesmileandcolorful beret “Also,heaven,”she addswithawinceandasignificantglanceupward.Shemakesthesignofthecross.“Sorry,God.Didn’tmeantoforgetabout You”
Cat’salmostthecompleteoppositeofAlexis.ShewearsablackshirtwiththenameofsomemetalbandI’veneverheardof emblazonedacross the front.Nodoubtshe’dtrytoforce me tolistentothemifIgave her the chance,butI’ve spentenough lunchtimescringingthroughroaringguitarsandscreamingsingerstoknowbetter. “Ofcourse,”Alexisreplies “Butit’sthethoughtthatcounts”
“Life,theuniverse,andpie,”Robbiesays Iblink, unsure whatto make ofhis comment. That’s usuallyhow itgoes withRobbie. He’ll keep quietmostofthe time, contentto watchand listen, and thenwhenhe finallyspeaks, it’s hard to tell ifit’s a joke, randomnonsense, or a profound statementonthehumancondition.
Cat wraps an arm around Robbie’s waist and tugs him against her side, her dark skin a sharp contrast to his freckled paleness.Shegiveshimafondlook.“Whathemeansis,wespentashitloadoftimedoingawholelotofnothing.Itwasboring
Boring as hell Thethoughtofloungingaroundwithmyfriendsalldaydoingnothingsoundslikeheaven Instead,I’dspenteverywakingmomenteitherpickingupshiftsatthedinerorwatchingmylittlebrotherPatrickandkeeping thehouseinorder Mysummerhadbeenmanythings,butboring wasn’toneofthem
Alexis clears her throat. “There was at least one new development.” She looks pointedlyat the armCat still has looped aroundRobbie’swaist,andmyeyeswiden
“Holyshit!”Isay,earningadisapprovinglookfromAlexis.Catmightgetafreepass,butIguesssheholdsmetoahigher standard.“Sorry.But…”MygazeflitsbetweenCatandRobbie.“Whendid this happen?”
Catgrins.“Yup.Prettymuch.”ShetugsonRobbie’sarm,andheobedientlyleansdownsoshecankisshim.Alexismakesan aw soundwhileImockgag I’mhappyfor themIguess, evenifI’msurprised. I’d never reallyseenthe two ofthemtogether like that. Though, Ican’t pretend I’malso not a bit jealous What I wouldn’t give to find myownother half not that I have enoughfree time for a relationship,anyway.
The four ofus move tothe steps leadingtothe school’s frontentrance andclaima section,chattingwhile we waitfor the inevitablebelltoring.
Cat,forherpart,wenttoafranklyridiculousnumberofconcertsbasedonhowshegushesaboutallthenewmusicI have to listentoandhow she’llputtogetheraplaylistforme AndRobbie well,Ihavenoideawhathespenthistimedoing,other thanapparentlystartingarelationshipwithCat,whichI’mstilltryingtowrapmyheadaround.
Catshoveshisshoulderplayfully “Yeah,sodoI SodoesAlexis Butnotthat kindofdick”Robbienodsasthoughhe’djust received a sage bit of wisdomwhile Alexis’face darkens to a fierce shade of crimson. Cat turns back to me. “So, if not Tommy,thenwhat?Somethingwithyourmom?”
Ishake myhead quickly “No, mymom’s great as ever It’s just ” Ilet out a frustrated sigh, runninga hand throughmy messybrownhair.“Iwishthingswereeasier,youknow?Thatmymomdidn’thavetoworksomuch.ThatTommyandIgot alongbetter Thatmydadhadn’tsplit ThatIhadn’t ” That I hadn’t torn my family apart. Itrailoff,embarrassed Ihadn’tmeanttosharesomuch Besides,whatrightdoIhavetocomplain?Everyone’sgotcrapto dealwith.Allyoucandoisputonasmileandtryyourbesttoholdeverythingtogether.
OnlyAlexis canlecturemeaboutGod’s planandcomeacross as sincererather thancondescending.Iclear mythroatand muster a grinIdon’tfeel “Yeah, yeah Atleast, Imade a good chunkofmoneyatthe diner And now thatschool’s backin session,IgettoswapovertoajobI’llactuallylike. ” Catperksup.“Youmeanyouconvincedthatvettogiveyouachance?”
Inod,mygringrowingmoregenuine.“Acouplehoursaweekdoingwhatever oddtaskstheyneed catchinguponfiling, managingtheir social media, that kind of stuff. But I’mhopingDr. Jenkins will give me some pointers, maybe evenlet me
interactwiththefriendlieranimals.”
“That’s great, Dylan!” Alexis beams at me. “See? Things are looking up for you already. It’s all about positive manifestation”
Catrolls her eyes. “More like exploitative labor. Theygetto pretend they’re doingyousome huge favor lettingyouearn experience when really, they want someone they can boss around and pay a fraction of what they’d have to pay a full employee.”
The what? EvenCatseems ata loss to explainRobbie’s latestnonsequitur until he points downthe steps. We all turnto followhisfinger.
By now, there’s a steady tide of students streaming past us up the steps. I recognize pretty much all of them, at least in passing.Wemightnotbefriends,butwe’vebeengoingtothesamehighschoolforthreeyearsnow,andBanton’snotthatbig ofaplace ThekidRobbiepointedat,though,isentirelyunfamiliartome He’s tall and lanky, with styled black hair, angular good looks, and green eyes so bright that they almost seemto glow. Dressed all in black, with his hands shoved in the pockets of his leather jacket and his back hunched, an obvious air of broodinessrollsoffhiminwaves.
There’s no denying he’s attractive, but that’s not what quickens my pulse or keeps my gaze glued to him. Maybe it’s a consequenceofmycurrentmood,butIgettheuncannysensethatheknowswhatitmeanstohurt thatlife’sbeenjustashard onhimasithasonme,ifnotworse.
“Oh,youcareaboutprivacyrights?Me,too!Maybeyou’denjoythedebateclub.IcouldhelpyouconvinceMrs.Federoto make that a topic this semester. Or there’s always the programmingclub if you’d prefer to take a more direct approachto internetprivacy”
And of course she’sdecidedthatwhatneedsheroverbearingattentionmostrightnowisme Gretakeeps upasteadystreamofchatter throughtherestoftheline.Idomybesttotuneher out,butshebarelyseems to noticemylackofresponse She’stellingmeall aboutthedramaclubandtheir upcominglistofperformanceswhenIfinally exitthequeue,depressingcafeteriaslopinhand.
Settlingdownonthevaguelystickyfloor,Ipulloutmysketchbookandapencil Drawing’sbeenoneofthefewconstantsin mylife. I’d picked up the habitwhenIwas youngas a wayto make sense ofmyexperiences to capture whatIsaw inmy dreams
Shovingdownmyunease,Icontinuewithmysketch,shadingasIgo.NodoubtI’vegottheproportionsofhisnosewrong,or perhaps made his lips too full or his cheeks too narrow. I’d only really seen his face the once. Other than the occasional glimpseinthehallsorinclass,I’veignoredhimasdeterminedlyasIhaveeveryoneelse. Butthiskindofsketchisn’taboutaccuracyorprecision.It’saboutcapturingsensation evokingthe feeling ofwhatI’dseen. Detailspaleincomparisontothewholepicture
And onthat front, I thinkI’ve done a prettygood job. I’ve just started onhis eyes, strugglingto capture the odd mixof melancholyandstrengthI’dglimpsedthere,whensomeoneclearstheirthroataboveme “Um,hi.Whatareyoudrawing?”
It could have gone worse, IconsolemyselfasIgrabmythingsandretreatdownthehalltosearchforanewnooktohidein Imighthavebeenacolossaldick,butatleastI’dgottenmypointacross.Afterthatdisasterofaconversation,hewon’tbother meanymore Icanfocusonkeepingmyheaddownandsurviving justasI’vebeendoingforaslongasIcanremember
Four Dylan
“FUCK HIM,” CAT SAYS She leans against Robbie, who himself leans against the side of the school Most of the other studentshaveleftbynow,leavingtheareapeaceful.Hergringainsawickededge.“Ineithersenseoftheword.”
“Exactly!” Catsays. “Like we alreadydetermined, the guy’s a colossal dick. Whywaste anybrainpower onhim? You’re busyenoughasitis”
She has a point. It’s only the first week of school, and I’ve already spent a handful of lunches holed up in the library franticallyfinishinghomeworkIdidn’thavetimetocompleteathome.ThelastthingIneedistoworryaboutsomeguywho clearlywantsnothingtodowithme.
“Yeah,yeah.”Icheckthetimeonmyphoneandadjustmybackpack’sstrapsonmyshoulders.“Speakingof,I’vegottahead out Today’smyfirstdayatthevet’s Dr Jenkinswantsmyhelpupdatingtheironlineeventcalendarandorganizingoldpatient files.”
“Soundsthrilling,”Catsays “Nowonderyou’resoeagertobecomeavet” “Theybroughtmeonpreciselysothatthe real vetsdon’thavetodealwiththiscrap.Besides,it’s ” “Good experience,” Cat interrupts. “So you keep saying. Well, whatever floats your boat. I intend to spend tonight at Robbie’sbustingamoveinDDR.”
“IknewtherewasareasonIdidn’tlikerodents,”Alexissayswithashudder CatsmirksatAlexisbeforenarrowinghereyesatme.“Justlivealittle,Dylan.Theworldwon’tendifyouhavesomefun.” Yeah, right. With what time? IforceasmileIdon’tfeel.“I’lltry.”
Thatseemsgoodenoughfor Cat,andIhurriedlysaymygoodbyesbeforesettingofffor Dr Jenkins’office I’mtenseafter thatlastconversation,soIfocusonclearingmyhead.Idon’twantDr.Jenkinstofiremeonmyfirstday.
Let it go, Dylan You’ve got enough problems of your own to solve ImakeittoDr.Jenkins’officetwominutesearly,greetthereceptionist,andamusheredintotheback.Thankfully,I’monly lefttofidgetbyacounterlinedwithexpensive-lookingequipmentforaminuteortwobeforeDr Jenkinsappears Friendlybutefficient,heimmediatelyhasmesignsomeconfidentialityformsandputsmetoworkinadimstoreroomsifting through old patient files and manually entering their data into an ancient computer. The work probably would’ve been monotonous if I hadn’t been so excited to be there Plus, the added perk of perusing pictures of adorable cats and dogs definitelyhelps.
IalmosttripoverapileofshoesbythedoorasIcareendownthehalltowardthekitchen,myheartracingamileaminute. OhGod,Inevershould’veleftPatrickalone Ifanythinghashappenedtohim Iburstinto the kitchenand stumble to a halt, myfrazzled mind tryingto make sense ofwhatI’mseeing. Aboilingpotof watersitsonthestove,itsoverflowingcontentssplashingoutofthepotandsizzlingacrossthesurface Meanwhile,thickblack smokebillows outoftheopenovendoor whilePatrick,wearinganaprontwosizes toobigfor him,attempts tomaneuver a burntdishofftherack
Patrickseemshappyenoughtocomply,hisreliefpalpableasIdomybesttosalvagehismess Notthatthere’smuchleftto salvage.Whateverhe’dbeentryingtobakeislittlemorethanablackenedcharonthebottomofthedish,anditdoesn’tlook like he ever gotaround to addingthe openpackage ofspaghetti onthe counter to the boilingwater. Notthathe could have withoutcausingevenmoreofadelugeafterhowmuchhe’doverfilledthepot
I glance uncertainly at the burnt dish, and he grimaces “It was supposed to be chicken parmesan with spaghetti and marinara.”
Good God, that had once been chicken? How long did he overcook it? “Right.”Iclearmythroat,disguisingmylaughasacoughwhenPatrickglaresatme.“Chickenparmesanitis.”
True to his word, Patrick throws himself enthusiastically into cleaning up the kitchen, and while he’s not much better at cleaningthanheiscooking,atleastit’sharderforhimtoburnthehousedownwhiledoingit.
Whenwe’redone,heconvincesmeafterasuitableamountofgrovelingtotakeabreakforsome Super Smash Bros onour beat-upGameCube.We’dgottenitsecondhandata flea marketalongwitha few games,andthoughit’s horriblyoutdated,it wasalsoahellofalotcheaperthananewgameconsolewould’vebeen.
Havingonlya handful ofgames tochoose fromalsomeans thatbothme andPatrickare experts bynow,as well as fairly evenlymatched. Ilose myselfinour impromptucompetitionmore thanIshould, and all too soon, the door fromthe garage slamsshut
Shit, Tommy’s home. What time is it?
Iignore Patrick’s cries ofvictoryas he KOs me offthe edge ofthe screenand checkmyphone, wincingwhenIsee it’s almostnine.I’dmeanttohavedinnerreadyanhourago.
Shakinghis head, Tommyshoves pastme and slams the door to the bathroombehind him. Afew seconds later, Ihear the showerkickon Still,Idon’tmovefromthemiddleofthekitchen,mychesttighteningasasenseofnumbnesscreepsoverme His words shouldn’tcutas deep as theydo. It’s nothingIhaven’theard fromhimbefore. Butthatdoesn’tstop the heavy shametheyleaveintheirwake
Becauseas muchas he’s anasshole,Tommy’s rightaboutonething it’s my faultDadleft.I’mthe reasonour family’s so broken whyTommyhadtodropoutofschoolandwhyMomhastoworkherselftothebonetosupportus.Whichisalsowhy it’sonmetodowhatlittleIcantomakeitbetter.
Tommyfinishes his shower, and Itense whenhe comes backinto the kitchen There’re onlytwo modes ofinteractionwe haveleftatthispoint fightingoravoidance.Thankfully,heseemstohaveoptedforthelatter.Hegrabsabeerfromthefridge, completelyignoringmewhereIstandbythestove Istarttorelax,focusingonpreppingtheremainingchickentogointothe oven.
Ishould’veknownbetterthantoletdownmyguard Tommypausesinthedoorway,glancingbackatme.“You’reasbadas he is.Yourealizethat,right?You’vealreadygotone footoutthedoorofthisplace.Hopeit’sworthleavingtherestofusbehind.”
Istare after him, mygutchurningwithsomethingclose to hate Iam nothing like our deadbeat dad who’d peaced out to strikeitbigasamusicianandnowcouldn’tevenaffordtokeepupwithhismonthlychildsupport.
I’ve dreamed ofbeinga vet for as longas Icanremember. But how canIjustifyspendingall that moneyto go awayto collegewhenMomneedsitsomuchmore?I’veseentheoverduebillstatementsshetriestohide,thelinesofworryaroundher eyes EvenwithTommy’sjobandmyownmeagercontributions,we’rebarelymakingenoughtokeepthehouseasitis
She waves her hand “Oh, the usual It’s hard to believe how many people turn into raging assholes at the slightest inconvenience.Youknow,oneguyactuallythreatenedtocallmymanagerwhenItoldhimwewereoutoficedtea.Likethat’s somehow my fault!” She shakes her head “I swear, I just don’t understand how people canbe so selfishand hardheaded Woulditkillthemtohavesomebasicempathy?”
I know she’s not talking about me, but her words come uncomfortably close to echoing Tommy’s earlier accusations. I mumbleareply.
Itdoesn’thelpthatmythoughtskeepcirclingaroundwhatTommyhadsaid.He’srightthatworkingatthevetisn’tbringingin muchextra moneyto supportus. I’d easilymake two or three times whathe’s payingme ifIpicked up a shiftor two atthe dinerinsteadonceyoufactoredintips.
neededhomerepairs.MaybeTommy’sright.Collegewillalwaysbetherewaitingforme.Icouldputitofflikehedidandfind afull-timejobafterIgraduate.Then,oncePatrick’solderandwe’vegotsomemoneysetaside,Icouldconsidergoingbackto school
Thethoughtleavesahollowpanginmygut,butIshoveitdown.Ihavetothinkaboutwhat’sbestformyfamily,notjustfor me Andifthatmeansdelayingmydream,well thatmightbeasacrificeIneedtomake
Five Ash
EXHAUSTIONWEIGHSMEDOWNasIshutthefrontdoorbehindme It’sbeenafewweeksnowsinceclassesstarted,and while I’ve settled into mynew routine, that hasn’t made the experience anymore enjoyable. School’s just one more bit of tediumIneedtoendureuntilgraduation.There’snothingformethereexceptentirelytoomanypeopleIwishIcouldavoid.
Well exceptforone Andsinceourrun-inoutsidethesciencelabs,Dylan’sbeencontenttoavoidmeallonhisown Not thatIblamehimafterI’dprettymuchshoutedathimtodoexactlythat.Idon’tknow whyIevencare.Ibarelyknow theguy, andit’sbetterforbothofusifitstaysthatway ThelastthingIneedisarepeatofHarvey,blowingupmylifeoveracuteboy withshaggyhair,hand-me-downclothes,andkindeyes.
“I know you’re holdingbackfromme, Ash. That’s fine. I didn’t expect this to be aneasytransitionfor you, and I don’t pretend to understand whatyou’re goingthrough ButIwantyouto know thatI’mhere ifyouever need to talk Evenifit’s about Hannah.” Pinpricks of moisture shimmer in her eyes. “I hope you know I loved her dearly, despite our occasional disagreements.”
MyhandstightenaroundtheporcelainuntilI’mafraiditmightshatterinmygrip. If you loved her so much, why didn’t you say a eulogy for her? I suddenlywant to scream. Why didn’t you give a shit about her only child and take care of him instead of ignoring him for half a decade?
“Thanks for the tea,” Imanage.Myvoice sounds coldandlifeless tomyears as Irise stiffly.“I’mgoingtogofor a walk beforeitgetsdark”
“Don’t forget a jacket!” Aunt Claudette shouts after me as I dart out of the kitchen. “It’s supposed to drop to the fifties tonight,andtheforecastiscallingforrain!”
Ipretend not to hear, shuttingthe front door and lettingmyhead thunk backagainst the wood. I take a moment to gather myself,closingmyeyesasIinhale.
Everything is fine There’s nothing to worry about I’m fine I’m fine MaybeifIrepeatitenoughtimes,I’llactuallybelieveit.
Openingmyeyes, I start walking I don’t have a clear destinationinmind, but I’ve barelyleft the house except to go to school,soIsoonfindmyselfretracingthatfamiliarpath.
Mymind feels like a blackhole, devouringeverythought and emotion. Whichis for the best, really. It keeps themfrom overwhelmingorconsumingme Sometimes,dreamscanbefarmoredangerousthanwakinglife I reachBantonHighand hesitate. Too many people around. Instead of cuttingtoward downtown, I follow the road as it windsitswayoutofBanton,agingbuildingsgivingwaytoopenfieldsandscatteredtrees Itmight’vebeenpeacefulifIwasn’t trappedoutherewithmyself.
TheskydarkensquickerthanIexpect.Irealizewhywhena crack ofthunderheraldsadelugeofpouringrain. Awesome A shiverracksme,andIwrapmybarearmstightagainstmytorso,tryingtorubsomewarmthbackintothem.GuessIshould’ve listenedandgrabbedthatjacketafterall.
The kittenremains huddled rightwhere itis. Its blue eyes drill into mysoul, wide and begging. Oh, for the love of God Sighing,Idroptomyknees,ignoringthefrigidwatersoakingmyjeansasIstretchoutmyarms
Myfingerstouchmattedfur.Tomyrelief,thekittendoesn’ttrytobitemeorwriggleoutofmygripasIcarefullyextricateit fromits hidingplace It’s evensmaller thanI’dthought definitelyless thana year old Its fur is absolutelysoaked,andthe poorthingisshiveringevenworsethanIam.
I follow himthrough the back of the office. I expect himto cut toward the front waiting room, but instead he turns the oppositeway,headingstraightfortheexamroom
We pass a window. I glance toward it right in time to witness a flash of lightning. Sprays of water gush against the windowpanes.“Inthis?”
Dr Jenkinsnodsgrimly “Hypothermiaandmalnourishmentarepotentialconcerns,butrightnow,I’mmoreworriedabouta woundshehasonherfrontleftleg.Imayneedyourassistancewiththeexamination.”
Myeyes linger onthe handful of water droplets still clingingto the leanmuscles onhis chest before I catchmyself and wrenchmygazeaway,swallowing.Ineedtofocus therearefarmoreimportantthingswarrantingmyattentionrightnowthan thehot,broodyguywho’ssteadfastlyignoredmeeversinceourfirst(andonly)conversationthatonelunchperiod HeattingesmycheekswhenIrealizeoutofthecornerofmyeyethatAshhasshiftedhisglaretome.Isquirmbeneathhis scrutiny Clearly,hewasn’texpectingmetobeDr Jenkins’internwhenheagreedtoletmeobserve,thoughwhymypresence wouldbotherhimsomuch,Ican’tsay.
“Thatis up to you, Mr. Ellington. Ifyouwishto take her home withyou, youmay. Otherwise, Icanrecommend a couple localsheltersthatmighthaveroom”Hehesitates “OrIsupposeyoucouldreturnhertowhereyoufoundher,”headdswith obviousreluctance.
AshglancesbetweenmeandDrJenkins,hisexpressiondarkening.“Fine.Whatever.Justdowhatyou’vegottodoforit.I’ll sort the rest out when you’re finished.” With one last inscrutable look at me, he storms out the door to the waiting room, slammingitbehindhim
Dr.Jenkinssighsandshakeshishead.“Isupposesomepeoplejustaren’tanimallovers.” “Likeyousaid,he did bringherin,”Inote,unsurewhyI’mdefendingAsh “True,”Dr.Jenkinsconcedes.Apitiful mew comesfromthetable,andheturnsbacktoWendelandthekitten.“You’requite right,littleone enoughdelay.Let’sseetothatlegofyours,andthenmaybeabathandacheck-up.Ihaveasneakingsuspicion wemightneedareporttosendovertotheshelterwhenwe’redone…”
“These are mostly preventative One is for pain relief while the other is an antibiotic to help ward off infections” The doctor’s smile turns wry. “And before you ask, if you end up dropping her off at a shelter, you can leave the pills and instructionswiththem Ithinkthat’sthebestwecandoforhertonight Ifherconditionworsens,youcanvisitusbetween8AM and8PMorgototheemergencyanimalclinicoverinDavport.Takecare.”
Henodeswearilyanddeparts.ThatleavesmealonewithAshandWendel,thepurringkittenstillinmyarms.Ashpointedly avoids looking at me, scowling as he pays Wendel for the visit Maybe he’s hoping that if he ignores me, the kitten will magicallydisappear.
His scowl deepens.“Thecat’s hadits check-up,andI’vegotthemedicationtoproveit.”Hejangles thebagwiththetwo bottlesofpills.“So,what’sthenextstep?”
“Thenext ”AmIjusttiredorisAshbeingunusuallydense?Iholdoutmypurringbundle “There is nonextstep Atleast, nothere.She’syourresponsibilitynow.”
Hisexpressiondarkens “Great JustwhatIneed” Startingtogetannoyedbyhisattitude,Idepositthecatintohisreluctantarms.“Sosorryyou’vebeeninconveniencedlike this Howdarethiscatgethurtandalmostfreezetodeathwhileyouhappenedtobenearby?Imean,the nerve!” “Hey,Ididn’taskforanyofthis!I’mthe last personthatshouldbeentrustedwiththefateofanotherlivingbeing.”
Hiseyeswiden.Heclutchesthecattohischestalmostprotectively.“Ofcoursenot!I’mnotamonster.”Iraiseaneyebrow, andhescowls “Shutup Ibroughtthedamnthinghere,didn’tI?Ranover amileintherainwithitwrappedinmyshirt So don’tlecture me onresponsibility.Ididmypart.”
Heglancesoutthewindowatthetorrentialrain “It’dbefineinashelter?” I hesitate for a beat before opting for a shrug. “Hard to say. They do the best they can, but they’re pretty much always overcrowded Still,it’sbetterthanbeingoutonthestreet,especiallywithaninjuredleg” Ashlooksdownatthebundleinhisarmsandbiteshislip.“Whataboutyou?Can’tyou takeithome?Youlikeanimals.”
Somehow though, it doesn’t seem as intense as before. Maybe he’s finally relaxing his defenses a hair. Or maybe I’m beginningtorealizehowmuchofitisjustanact.TherealizationgivesmethecourageIneedtopresshim. “Inthatcase,maybe you shouldtakeherhome.”
He grins wryly “Well no At least, not to my face But that doesn’t mean they’re not thinking it Perseverance is my superpower.Whataboutyou?”
“Huh?”Iask,mypulsequickening.
“Yoursuperpower,”Dylanrepeatspatiently.“Comeon,everyone’sgot something they’rebestat.Forme,it’sdedication.I can throw myself at a problemover and over until I solve it. Who needs actual intelligence when you can rely on sheer stubbornness?”
AsI’dexpected,AuntClaudettehadtakentothekittenrightaway,cooingoverittheinstantIreturnedfromthevet’s Before theweekendwasover,shehadalitterboxsetupinonecornerofthecrampedkitchen,aludicrouslytallcattreeperchedby thetelevision,andpilesoftoysscatteredeverywhereastrippinghazards Thankfully,thekittenwasalreadyhousetrained some asshole must’ve abandoned it before I’d come along but I feared for the continued safetyof myaunt’s more fragile knickknacks
Igetthefeelinghe’sholdingsomethingback,butIdon’tpush Afterall,he’snottheonlyonewithsecrets Dylan visibly reins in his emotions, plastering on a smile. “We used to have a dog, though. I’d love to have another… someday.Whataboutyou,ohhateroflife?” Irollmyeyes.“IneversaidIhated life.JustthatIshouldn’tberesponsibleforit.” Dylan opens his mouth, then cuts off as a pack of guys in school jerseys shove past us, laughing and calling out to one another IbrieflyloseDylaninthecrowdandfindmyselfslowingdowntoscanforhim What the hell are you doing? You should be taking this opportunity to escape. Ihesitate,mystomachtwisting I’mstillstandingthereuncertainlywhenDylanemergesfromthecrowd Hebreaksintoawidegrinwhenheseesme.“Youwaited.”
Heatradiatesthroughmeashestepsincloser,mypulsepoundingasheholdsmygaze Myvoicecomesouthoarse “Whydo you care?”
He shifts another step closer, the two of us practically pressed together now. We must be drawing stares from passing students,butIcan’ttearmyeyesawayfromhistocheck.
Heshifts,andforoneterrifying,exhilaratingmoment,Ithinkhemightbeabouttoleaninandkissme.Then,hebrushespast, adjustinghisbackpackashecontinuesdownthehall IstandwhereIamforseveralbeats,feelingshell-shocked. What the hell just happened? Dylanpausesafewfeetaheadofme,glancingback.“I’mmeetingmyfriendsforlunch.Wanttojoin?”
He grins atme.“Sure itdoes.” He falls intostepatmyside,andIreluctantlyslow mygait.Apparently,this is happening whetherIlikeitornot
We walkinsilence for a time, me sulkingwhile he hums obnoxiouslyunder his breathlike he doesn’thave a care inthe world Whenwereachtheturnformyaunt’sstreetandheturnswithme,Iraiseaneyebrow “Youlivearoundhere?”
