Beulah Land by Nancy Stewart

Author:Nancy Stewart [Stewart, Nancy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Published: 2017-11-04T01:22:29+00:00

21

Doc finishes Victory’s regular morning exam, sighs, and gives me a look. “This pup’s going to take a while longer to finish her internal healing, but she can go home and do it. No more IVs, her sutures are healing nicely, and she’s getting much of her strength back. I’m sorry about this timing, Vi, but she needs to be freed right away. I’m sure this girl has spent much of her first year caged up and should be out of one soon as she’s able.”

“I know,” I say, “and you need the space too.”

Doc places the stethoscope back around her neck. “Look, is there anyone who can take care of her until we can arrange a home? I’d love for her to be with you but, uh, also know the position you’re in there.”

“I’ve been thinking hard on it. What… what about Mr. Ferguson? He’s so kind to animals. Think he’d take care of her for a spell, until… if I can get things arranged with Mama?”

“It’s worth a try. He thinks you’re a very sincere young woman, and you wanting to be a vet so badly has touched him. Would you like me to call?”

“Yes. That would be great.”

“I’ll do it this morning and let you know.”

“Thanks again, Doc,” I say, yearning to be like her so much it hurts.

Victory paws at my hand as if she’s telling me it’s time for us to go now. “If you get to spend some time at Mr. Ferguson’s farm, you’ll love it there, girl.” She gazes at me with her deep brown eyes. “And no matter what it takes, you and me are gonna be together. And you’ll never be in a cage again.” I throw that in for good measure and hope to sweet Jesus we can make it happen.

Later that day, as I drive back to the Bucktown Clinic, my phone rings. “Good news,” Doc says. I just spoke with Mr. Ferguson, and he’s happy to take the puppy for however long it takes; even said they’d adopt her if it comes to that, but only if you can’t take her. He has to drop by this office to pick up vitamins for Barley, so he’ll get her today.”

“I’m beholden to you, Doc, and I’ll try and get something worked out soon as possible.”

“Take the time you need. Between him and me, we’ll work it out.”

Sitting here on the porch this afternoon with the washer beating our clothes to death and a couple mosquitoes humming around my face, I’m crazy worried about how to get Victory home.

Jessie drags up the porch steps from doing her cheerleading routine in the side yard. “Hotter than hell out here, you want my opinion. Got any more ideas about Mama and your dog?”

“No. You got any?”

“Not where Mama’s concerned. You know what she’s like when she makes up her mind, Vi.”

I sigh and glance at Sinclair Woods. “Yeah, I—hey, what’s that? Something shiny is reflecting over there. See it in the crook of that big white pine?”

“Yeah, I do.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.