Terminal Lucidity by Jo Loveday

Author:Jo Loveday
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Nurse healer vs predator, Hospital, Moral dilemma, Brain surgeon, Operating room, AI implant, ICU mystery, cadavers, Nurse
Publisher: Tall Leaf Press
Published: 2024-08-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

I tuck Grace into Victor’s crate after feeding her. “This will have to do, my friend. You’re small, and you can’t stand yet. We can get you a proper one after the hurricane.” My phone beeps with a text from Mom.

How far away are you?

I type back: Be there in ten minutes. Is everything okay?

Yes. Your dad is sleeping.

“I’ve got to see my dad, but I’ll be back. Have a nap and get stronger.” I give her a pat.

She tries to get up, but her legs won’t work. She scratches at the door and whines.

“I can’t stay, girl. I’ve got to see my dad.”

Grace whimpers louder, clawing at the door like she’s caged forever.

I sit down beside her, stroke her paw with the only finger I can fit through the holes. “It’s all right, girl. I won’t be gone long.”

She cries, leans back, hits her rump on the crate, and howls.

“You can’t do that here, Grace. I’ll get kicked out of my apartment.”

She claws and howls some more.

“I don’t know how to help you, sweetheart.” I squat beside her.

Victor pokes his nose around the corner but won’t come into the kitchen.

“Don’t let all that noise bother you, Victor.” I fill his dish, put it down so he has to walk past the crate, adding an extra treat on top. “Come on, buddy.”

The cat arches his back and gives Grace a dirty look.

“Yes, she’s in your crate. You hate it anyway, and I know you’re hungry.” I scoop him up and bring him to his dish, positioning myself between the two of them. “She’s in there, buddy. You’re free to roam. Be happy.”

Victor gives me his evil eye for a second, but his stomach takes over, so he launches into his food.

I sit down next to Grace, and she stops crying.

The cat eyes me again, head down, tail swishing. Grace lets out a boisterous bark, causing Victor to arch his back and hiss. Appearing to be curious about him, she tries to get onto her feet and falls. Victor is not sympathetic. He bats the crate with a guttural growl. Grace returns her own growl, starts to bark louder. Their fight continues with yaps and bats, howls and hisses that sound like screams. A neighbor thumps on the wall. I shoo Victor out of the kitchen and into the bedroom.

“Here’s your dinner, buddy. You can use your box in the bathroom,” I say as I close the bedroom door.

On my way back to the kitchen, I grab a washcloth. “Grace, you’re going to have to hang in until I get back.” I rub the dry washcloth over my arms and neck, toss it in with her, and place the towel over the top, hoping the scent and the closeness will help her feel safe.

She continues to whine.

“What else would calm you down? How about lavender?” I open the bottle of essential oil and place it next to the opening of the crate. As I pat her paw, her crying slows.

Within a couple of minutes, she lays her head down, goes to sleep.

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