THEA
“This is crazy,” Ally said. “Have we ever had this many adoptions in a single day?”
“I don’t know. Probably not. It’s going to be weird having so many empty kennels.”
“Weird in the best way,” Ally said.
“Very true,” I said. “I’m going to call these people. Everything on their application checks out. They want to adopt Baxter.”
“No!” Ally pouted. “I’m so happy for him, but I’m also so sad to see him go.”
“Me too,” I said. “He’s going to live with a rich, retired couple that bought a unit in Reese’s building. You know he’s going to be pampered.”
“Good,” she said. “He deserves it. He’s probably only got a couple years left. He deserves to ride them out in the lap of luxury.”
“I agree,” I said.
After making the call and approving the adoption, I moved it to the stack of approved applications. Some people already knew what dog they wanted. Some were still holding out hope a specific size and breed would come in. Yesterday had been wild with the potential adopters coming in and meeting the dogs. Today, those dogs would be going to their new homes.
I grabbed the next application and was about to start going through the review process when I noticed Ally checking her phone. It was the tenth time she had looked at it. I didn’t care, but it seemed like something was different.
“Are you waiting for a call?” I asked.
“What?”
“You’ve been checking your phone a lot. Are you waiting for a call?”
“No,” she said with a sigh.
“What’s going on?” I asked with concern.
She shook her head. “It’s just been a rough couple of weeks. Lucas has hit his rebellious streak. The kid has been getting into fights and causing trouble. I just don’t know what has gotten into him.”
“He’s fourteen,” I said. “He’s been a good boy all these years. He’s finally hitting those wild teenage years.”
“I was hoping we could skip them,” she said.
“Is there anything I can do?” I asked. “I’d be happy to have him stay with me for a couple of days. You guys need a break. He can help me with the dogs.”
“It’s fine,” she said. “We’ll get through it. It’s just one of those rough patches. I hope it’s short-lived.”
“Okay, but if you need anything, just tell me,” I said. “I’ll do whatever I can, whether it’s just support or trying to talk some sense into the kid. You’re a good mom and I know you’ll get through this. Lucas is a good kid making some bad choices. I have no doubt you’ll get through it.”
“Thanks,” she said. “It’s just one of those things. Speaking of parents, how did it go with your dad?”
My lip curled. “Talk about getting into fights. You might get a call one of these days to bail me out.”
She laughed. “Oh no. That doesn’t sound good.”
“Rich and I were enjoying lunch with our dad,” I said. “Things were good. I don’t know if we were getting through to him, but at least we were able to express our opinion. And then that bitch came home. I don’t think I have ever met a nastier woman. She strutted into the house with all her shopping bags on her arm. She was smoking in the house. It was disgusting. She said something about a family meeting she hadn’t been invited to.”
“Oh no,” Ally groaned.
She knew me well. “I told Stacey she wasn’t part of the family. She got mad and pouted. Dad tried to defend her. She ran her mouth and I swear if Rich hadn’t dragged me out of there, I would have clawed her eyes out. The woman is killing my father. She’s taking years off his life. And that house. It’s awful. She is a slob and expects him to clean up after her. I don’t understand why he puts up with it. She’s not pretty. Yes, she has big boobs and dresses like a hooker, but she’s dumb as a box of rocks and mean. Just mean.”
“Gee, tell me how you really feel,” she said.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” I said. “He is talking about selling the house. If she gets her hands on that money, she’ll blow through it. My dad is going to be left stranded in Calgary. I have no doubt in my mind she’ll dump him the minute she blows through his money. He’ll be broke and homeless. I have no doubt she’ll run his health right into the ground. I honestly don’t want to think about what will happen if she kills my dad. I will go to prison.”