Chapter 3: Quince

I waited in the waiting room for hours. I got to see a variety of people wander in and out of the clinic, each with a different story. There was a Russian tortoise that needed medicine for an infection before he went off to college. And there was a cat that ate a large amount tape and was now having bowel issues. There was also a hamster that had had his foot cut off by the family's challenged son. I found it easy to get distracted in the small office. I imagined myself in each of the family's shoes. What would it be like to have a child getting ready to leave for college? Where would I keep rolls of tape hidden from my cat from now on? What therapist would I have to hire to get my son to stop attacking small animals with kitchen scissors?

The young vet tech stepped out of the emergency room and ruffled the papers safely attached to his clipboard.

"Mr. Ben Blue?"

"Yes." I replied standing up quickly.

"If you would, please follow me."

I followed the young vet through themain emergency room and into a smaller connecting room. The much older female vet approached me with a tired smile and held out her hand. I shook it quickly wanting to get on with the news.

"Mr. Blue both you and this dog are very lucky." She directed me to an empty chair, waiting for me to get situated before she continued. I was tired of sitting but complied anyways. She turned on the small machine and laid down an X-Ray.

The vet, whom told me I could address her as Dr. Lisien, pointed out multiple cracks in what appeared to be the dog's pelvic region.

"Alright Mr. Blue-"

"It's Ben." I interrupted her quickly, being called Mr. Blue got on my nerves.

"Ok Ben, what you see here is three distinct fractures to her pelvic bone. Luckily each fracture seems to be fairly clean; if the bone would have shattered we would have had real issues."

She paused and looked up at me to see if I was following. I nodded for her to continue.

"A full recovery is possible, but hardly likely."

"What do you mean?" I rubbed my clammy hands on my jeans.

"Well Ben a recovery of any degree is as much up to you as it is to her. If you don't give her 110% she won't be able to recover to her full potential, and even with all the help in the world she will likely have lasting effects from the injury. I have a video you can watch in my office about what you can do for her, while I fill out your paperwork."

"Wait me? Dr. can't you keep her and do your Dr. Magic? I don't have any materials at home for her."

"I'm sorry Ben but as of now she is your responsibility. However we cannot control your actions outside of this office."

"What about price? I haven't seen paperwork yet."

"Well yes of course there is a payment we will have to discuss, but luckily for you she is in no need for surgery currently. I must remind you that as she progresses that may change. Now I'm going to start working on that paperwork, would you be interested in watching the video, don't worry its free of charge." She gave me another small smile as I nodded weakly.

The video started with a click and a small woman in veterinarian gear began to speak.

"Pelvic fractures, what they are and what you can do. Pelvic fractures make up 25% of the fractures a vet will deal with in smaller animals. If a pelvic is put under enough trauma to crack, there will always be multiple fractures. Luckily the muscles surrounding the pelvis provide stability which in most cases eliminates the need of operations. In most cases the trauma will not only affect the pelvis. 39% of patients will have urinary tract trauma and 11% will have peripheral nerve damage. Don't be scared by the numbers, but find reassurance in them. Luckily 75% of cases involving pelvic fractures can recover without surgery."

I shifted uncomfortably in the cheap chair. Take reassurance in them my ass.

"What you can do to help. Depending on the degree of the fractures, there are multiple options. You can keep your dog in a cage. Cage rest can be helpful for keeping the dog comfortable and secure. However if this agitates your dog in any way it's not recommended. Keeping your dog in a small area that restricts some actions, but still allows movement is the next best thing. This stage should last about two weeks. Giving your dog messages and a little bit of encouraged motion in the hind legs is valuable at this time. In most cases after the first week from the accident your dog may want to be standing, even if it is for limited times. Standing should be encouraged, and around the two week marker as I mentioned, walking should also start to take place. If your dog doesn't want to stand or move you can help them with a sling or in some cases medications from your vet. After the first month of recovery your dog should be pushed further. Exercising them on leashes is helpful, start gradual and by month two your dog should be able to participate in longer walks. Activities that could cause more strain such as running and jumping should be put off for a couple more weeks. Thank you for watching, make sure to ask any unanswered questions to a vet as soon as possible."

I ran my fingers through my dark hair, which was sticky with sweat. I was glad the monotone-low budget video was over, but it hadn't taken off any of the heavy dread in my chest. I replayed the numbers in my head. I was no vet, I didn't understand all of the video, but I got the main message. I am screwed. My mind started to puddle. I couldn't focus on anything, the more I tried to focus the more I drained I felt. The door cracked open slightly, then swung completely open followed by Dr. Lisien. She wore a complex face; I couldn't sort out the emotions that were making them up.

"Mr. - oh excuse me, Ben, The dog is secure and ready to be taken into your custody. However there are multiple issues we need to sort out first."

Dr. Lisien hadn't taken a seat, so I stood to meet her gaze. Matching her hard look I simply raised my eyebrows.

"Well Ben being a minor there's a few situational objectives we must talk about with your parents before we can release her in your care. Being that's she's an unregistered stray it makes it a little easier. Your mother and father are in the waiting room, ready to be let in. You put your mother as the leading guardian on the form you filled out so we called her to discuss prices and such."

My heart doubled in its rhythm. Mom and dad Together? Over a dog? It didn't make any sense. My heart gave a small pull that was immediately squashed. Ever since my parents split I've always had a small hope they'd get back together. I gave a short nod to the Vet and she opened the door. Mom rushed in as though she had been waiting right next to the door, I craned my neck around her forced hug to see dad. Loitering in the waiting room awkwardly was not my father, but my mother's boyfriend Simon.

Mom held out her hand for the vet before sitting down next to me. My stomach was bubbling hotly, thinking of Simon sitting out behind the door. I shot him a look that made it clear he was not to follow before shutting the door. Joining Mom I waited for the vet to resume speaking.

"Hello Mrs. Blue I'd-" My mom cut off the vet similar to what I had done.

"It's Myra." Her voice was a tad cooler than it had been moments ago; I knew she hated being addressed with the Blue proper as much as I did.

"Sorry, Myra. I'd just like to inform you the quick basics of the situation before we address the legal sides."

"Thanks Dr. Lissen, but the vet tech explained everything to us already," My mother replied briskly.

I flinched at the mention of 'us' similar to the way Dr. Lisien flinched at the misuse of her name.

"Very well, as you can understand we cannot be left responsible for the dog as we are a vet's office not a shelter. I can give you a number for a local shelter if that is best. They can come pick her up from here; however one of you must stay to sign her over to them. I must warn you the shelter has a 20 day policy for strays and a 30 day policy for tagged pets, after that they do put the animals down. I also must disclose that the shelter will not give this dog the special care she needs."

"Yes, we will take the number." Mom didn't even give me a glance.

Dr. Lisien looked at me quickly and must have seen the panic and rage in my eyes.

"Myra, I'm going to get her to bring her in for a moment, let you meet her, while I do so you may want to talk this out with your son." Dr. Lisien hurried out of the room throwing a small smile my way.

"Mom can't we talk about this?" I was feeling very claustrophobic in the rather large room.

"No."

"What do you mean no?"

"I mean no Benjamin."

"Why?"

"You know why."

"Clearly I don't Myra." She flinched slightly

"Simon is allergic, you know that."

"Dads not." I strained the word dad as much as I could without my voice wavering.

"Ben I will pay for your mistake because I know Tom cannot, but I will not allow it in the new house."

"New house? What new hou- oh my god. Mom don't tell me you are moving in with Him."

"Not right now Ben, please." Mom began to fidget.

I felt my brain click and I knew. Son of a bitch.

"The surprise was me spending the weekend helping you and Simon move wasn't it? WASN'T IT!"

"Ben. Not now, we will talk when we get this problem sorted out."

"Problem." It came out in a dull whisper, she didn't even hear me.

I don't care what anyone says. My mom hasn't become more 'laid back' since she's met Simon, she's become less human. It's not entirely her fault of course; Simon has a way of sucking the life out of people. Simon is a lawyer, and treats people like issues to be dealt with and anything in the way of his goal like an inconvenience. Before Mom met him she never would have called an animal an 'it' or referred to her only son hitting a dog as a 'problem' rather she would have done what was best for all parties involved.

The door cracked open tentatively at first, then it opened all the way and vet strolled in. The vet tech was behind her wheeling a wagon like flatbed. The hard surface was covered by a large thick sheet, and the dog was stretched out on its surface. I got up from the chair and made a soft cooing noise. The silvery blue eye appeared and looked right into me. Her tail started thumping softly making puffing noise as the sheet was compressed. She tried to pick up her entire head, but her movements were sloppy. The vet smiled at me,

"She still has a little of the anesthetic in her system, it will wear off by tomorrow."

I caught my mom watching the dog the hardness from her eyes fading. For a moment I thought she had cracked, then her features became stone like again.

"Alright Dr. Lissen I will take the number for the shelter and any paperwork."

Dr. Lisien left the room again leaving the vet tech to shift uncomfortably, watching the stare down between my mother and me. I decided not to say anything for his benefit, but a plan was already forming in my mind. No matter what I was not leaving this dog to die in a pound. I excused myself from the room and walked right out of the office. I sat inside my car thinking, planning. As long as I kept my temper, I'd be ok. A little shy of an hour later my mother walked out followed by Simon. I got out of the car and approached her, thinking of a way to bring up the fact that id wait for the pound to get here. Luckily I didn't need to.

"Ben I'm leaving you in charge to stay here and call the shelter, and get everything situated. I've paid for everything now all you have to do is sign her over."

"Fine." I grumbled trying to sound disappointed.

She looked me down for a second and her features softened again. I felt like I was looking into the eyes of my mother before Simon.

"Ben I am sorry this happened but taking in a dog right now wouldn't have worked; besides we needed all hands on deck to get us moved. I was going to tell you in a much more." She paused slightly. "A much more planned out way."

"We could still use the extra wheels champ," Simon piped up.

I shot him a cold glance followed by a shake of my head.

"No thanks, I'm going home to my dad."

I could tell Simon was getting ready to shoot something back, but Mom put her hand on his shoulder. With that neither my mom nor Simon said another word. They got into the car and drove away leaving me to deal with my dog. I walked back into the vet's office and a different vet tech was waiting by my dog. She was sleeping on the small cart her tongue lolling. The vet tech was pretty, with bright blue eyes framed with large square glasses. A mop of dark hair was pilled on her head, a pen sticking out oddly. Her smile was bright and alive, unlike most of the staff here.

"Hello Ben. My name is Quince and I was told to assist you with this little lady."

"Could you help me wheel her out to my car?"

"Whatever you need sir."

She continued to talk in her bubbly voice all the way out to the car.

"Now the paperwork had a prepaid check to have her signed over to the shelter, but me and Zach, the other tech, knew you'd hang back and keep her." She stopped pulling the wagon a few feet short of my car. My dog began to stir slightly. She pulled out a check from her large front pocket and handed it to me.

"Well if the shelter isn't coming I guess this check is worthless." Her sly smile was oddly contagious. I grinned back at her before ripping the check once, twice. I began to shred the paper in every direction till it was unrecognizable. Her smile grew wider as she pulled the cart next to my car. Then she was all business.

"Alright so what we are going to do is each of us takes two corners of the sheet and pull as hard as we can. We'll lift her up and off the cart. One of us will take go into the back seat of the car, still pulling on the sheet and continue to slid backwards until she's safely laid across the seats. It will be important to not jostle her around too much."

Quince and I did exactly what she said; she chose to crawl across the back seats since she was much smaller than me. I made a mental note to tell Hi to get his ass out to my car and remove his burger wrappers. After my dog was laid comfortably in the back of my car Quince looked up at me and smiled.

"This is why I'm becoming a vet. I love the thought of being able to help animals and people alike. Don't you worry Ben; she'll take care of you if you take care of her." She gave me an almost knowing gaze and I felt heat spreading across my face. I wanted to just tell her thanks but I didn't want her to go yet, something about her happy energy made me feel better.

A look of remembrance darted across her face; she reached into her pocket and pulled out a business card, handing it to me with a smile I looked down at it. It included her name, Quince Shaklebi, her position, and the offices phone number.

"Is Quince short for Quincey or something?" I asked, awkwardly shoving the card into my pocket.

"Nope, it's just Quince." She pointed to her pile of messy hair; "I was born with super blonde hair."

Before I could question what her hair color had to do with the name Quince she gave me a small salute,

"Bye Ben, Duty calls." With that she spun on her heel and left me alone with my new dog.

Sorry I know this chapter was long and not the most action packed but it was a needed bridge between what happened and what's to happen. Thoughts on the chapter? How do we feel about Quince and her interesting name? Was it fair of Myra to drop that bomb on Ben? Simon...is he the Whitney of Bens life or a good guy? And of course there is that small issue of Ben now owning a dog. Please review, if this chapter gets good feedback I'll push myself and update in twenty four hours.