Finding Isadora(79)



His words, his sorrowful tone, went straight to my heart and, with absolutely no warning, the tears I’d been fighting off all evening spilled over. “Sorry,” I choked out, hunting desperately for a tissue.

“Shit.”

I tried to stem the flood while Richard, working in high-speed panic mode, got the bill and slapped down some money. “Let’s go,” he urged.

Still sniffling, I got to my feet and let him steer me out of the restaurant.

On the street, he turned to me. “I’ll walk you home.”

Just like Gabriel, I thought, except Richard sounded distinctly unhappy at the prospect. And the last thing I wanted from him right now was grudging courtesy. I blew my nose. “No, I’m okay.”

“You’re not. You’re a walking invitation to a mugger.”

I blotted my damp face and said firmly, “I’m fine. Besides, I have to stop at the drug store on the way.” It was a lie, but I figured it would discourage him from escorting me. “You go on, I’ll be fine.”

“If you’re sure.” I could tell his sense of responsibility was warring with his strong urge to get away from me.

“Positive,” I said as brightly as I could manage.

But when he said, “Night, then,” and turned and walked away—without one mention of ever seeing me again—the tears started again. Not in a flood this time, but rather a slow, steady trickle, like a drizzly Vancouver day.

Trudging toward my apartment, I chose quiet streets where I wouldn’t pass many people. And when I got home, I didn’t walk Pogo, merely let him out for a few minutes on the front lawn.

Back upstairs, I closed the apartment door behind us. “It’s done, Pogo. I’m single again.”

The words felt anything but liberating. If I’d made the right decision, why did I feel so miserable?





Chapter 12


The next morning—Thursday—I stood on the sand, heavy-hearted and exhausted from another near-sleepless night, and watched Pogo chase gulls. He never had a hope of catching one, but each time I let him loose on the beach he went rushing off in mad pursuit, not letting his failures discourage him.

There was a lesson for me in his optimism, and my heart lifted a little.

When we were back home and I was dressing for the day, I picked favorite items that always made me feel good. A soft, floaty skirt in a vibrant orange-red, Grace’s gift for my last birthday, went perfectly with colorful parrot earring Jimmy Lee had given me “just because.” My folks were terrific gift-givers; they never spent much money, but each item was carefully chosen.

“I’m wearing your cousins, Owl,” I said as I gave my real-live parrot a goodbye stroke.

“Hurry home, cutie,” he squawked.

It was tempting advice—to hurry home after work and hole myself away with my friendly menagerie. On the other hand, I really wanted to talk to my parents and Janice, and soothe my bruised heart with the support I knew they’d offer.

Walking to the clinic, I recognized Tonia Melanchuk and her basset hound Melville on the sidewalk ahead of me. Tonia, clad in a business suit and sneakers, was juggling briefcase, take-out coffee, and dog leash. I caught up and relieved her of the leash. “I’m betting you’re on your way to see us.”

“Melville has an appointment for his annual shots,” Tonia said. “He knows it too, and he’s being a darned nuisance. I told him it’s much more fun to hang out with the other day-care animals than be in the apartment by himself, but he can’t seem to get past the idea of shots.”

I bent down and caressed his head, scratching behind his floppy ears. “You’re in for a treat today, Melville. There’s a little girl coming in this afternoon who loves dogs. I bet she’ll take you out in the courtyard to play.”

“A little girl?” Tonia cocked an eyebrow. “Your daughter?”

My heart gave a painful throb. “No, I don’t have any kids.” Would I ever? Still, I was trying not to be a pessimist. “Not yet,” I amended. “This is someone my parents are looking after for a while because her mother’s in the hospital.”

“Your parents sound like nice people.”

“Hearts of gold.”

We had reached the clinic door and Tonia squatted down and looked Melville in the eye. “You be good now, sweetheart. I’ll be back to pick you up around five thirty.” She kissed his head then sprang to her feet and strode away.

Melville plunked his backside down and watched her go. When I gave his leash a gentle tug, he gazed up at me with soulful eyes.

“Yes, you really have to,” I told him. “Come on, let’s get it over with. I promise you’ll enjoy playing with Alyssa.” If he understood me at all, he’d spend the day looking forward to that treat. Just as I was looking forward to seeing Alyssa.

Melville was typical of the day’s patients. By and large, the animals were in good health, needing only minor treatments. But we had a full slate of appointments, and Liz had called in sick so I was the only vet working in the morning, and was rushed off my feet. No time to fuss about Richard, worry that he hadn’t phoned, or fret over my own future. I hoped that when Felipe, the third vet, came in at noon I’d be able to scrounge a quick lunch break with Janice. Unfortunately, when I texted her she texted back, “Sorry, staff mtg. 2moro?”

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