10.18%
I wake up with a start. I’m covered in cold sweat, and I’m crying. It took me a couple of minutes to understand that it was just a dream. I look around, and the memories of the last two days start slowly creeping back to me. It takes me a few long moments to calm down.
I’m safe.
I’m far away from home.
Conner, Ronny and Dug are not here, and they will never find me.
Not that they would be looking for me. They got what they wanted and moved on with their lives. It’s me who is left to pick up the pieces of my broken dignity and build my life from scratch.
1 bury my face in my hands. Suddenly, all the weight of the world is on my shoulders.
How in the world am I going to pull this off?
I’m alone
Low on money.
Pregnant. With no family or friends.
All I have is an old car, a laptop, and a duffel with some clothes that will soon not fit me.
What am I going to do? How am I going to take care of a baby?!
A sntall sob escapes my mouth, and soon, I’m in full crying mode.
This warm bed and nice town are just a little spark of hope that is vanishing with each tear that escapes through my fingers and falls on my lap.
A sudden knock on the door brings me back to reality.
“Emily! Are you okay in there?!” Shirley’s worried voice comes through the door. I clear my throat and try to sound like a normal morning human being.
“Yes, I’m fine, thanks!” I shout
“Can I come in?” she doesn’t really wait for my answer and slowly opens the door while I try whipping the tears with my t–shirt
Then, to my surprise, a huge brown dog bursts between Shirley’s legs right into my room, hops straight in my bed, and attacks my face with its warm and wet tongue. I start laughing. This huge pup must be Jax, and he’s awesome, I admit.
“Hey there, big boy!” I say, still Laughing and scratching right behind his ears. Jax seems to enjoy my signs of affection, and he makes himself comfortable right next to me and puts his huge head on my lap.
Chapter?
“Oh, I think he likes you! says a very satisfied Shirley, clapping her hands,
“It’s not that often that Jax is so accepting of the people that stay here!”
“Well, I was always like Pocahontas, so it’s not a big surprise to me,” I say with a wide smile. And that’s the truth. Animals always seemed to find me everywhere I went. That’s basically why I chose to become a vet. Animals trust me. It’s easy for me to treat them, and I really like them. They are pure, untainted with human qualities and honest. Way better than humans.
“He’s gorgeous!” I say, petting his head.
“Indeed he is,” says Shirley with a satisfied grin.
