Cross Roads

&

Building Blocks

Chapter 10

In the three weeks working at 'Good Mother Earth' , it was easy fitting in not like at Rangeman where Ella and I were the only females. Here, there was Linda, Amy, the receptionist, the women who operated the sewing machines, and a few packers. There was also Kara, who drove a delivery truck. It was looser, no ex-Army rigidness. I even went out to happy hour last Friday night with a group of co-workers; I just drank mint ginger ale which I've acquired a taste for since I've been pregnant. Right now, I've been handling processing new orders and setting up accounts in the computer to learn the distribution and order process.

I was feeling a little sorry for myself. Today was my first appointment with my new OB/GYN. Linda said Doctors Jacob and Eva Parish, a husband and wife practice, delivered her children and was considered to be the best in the area. My appointment was with Dr. Eva. She was very kind and supportive when I started to cry listening to my child's heartbeat. It was all so very real.

"Daddy, listen," when I called he went outside away from my mother.

"That sounds strong, Pumpkin."

"Frank, is that Stephanie?" I could hear in the background. One day I was going to have deal with my mother, but not at the moment. I'll leave it to my father and Grandma right now.

"I better go. Drive safe, Stephanie."

Grandma was back in Trenton. Daddy came on Tuesday for lunch and she went back with him. She had been here for about a week left and came back. It's lonely when she leaves I have to admit. My father drove his black SUV again. It makes my heart stop when I see him drive up. He's following Ranger's lead and not standing out. The windows are even tinted. He told me about his visit to Rangeman. I didn't think the guys will stop searching for me so I have to be alert to stay off the radar and know they will be watching my family and Mary Lou for any clue.

I was driving from the doctor's office which is in a small medical complex near the factory to my house. It was a somewhat busy road off the main highway. Something caught my eye moving on the side of the road. I went down the road and turned around. Driving past it looked like an injured dog sitting along the road. I did a U-turn again and pulled off to the side and hit the button for my flashers. Getting out I could see it was a muddy dog with an injured leg. I almost lost it. It was sitting beside I'm assuming its friend who was dead probably being hit by a car.

"All you all right?" I asked.

Big brown eyes gave me a pleading look as it whimpered.

A police car with flashing lights pulled behind my Impreza. A young blond haired officer ran up, "Is there a problem, Miss?" He saw the two dogs. The whimpering one was cowering.

Keeping my voice soft, "It's Ok. Let us help you."

Its paw may have been broken and leg cut from what I could see. It was muddy with matted fur. I wasn't even sure what type of dog or its color, not that I knew anything about dogs. The officer got a tattered blanket from the trunk and wrapped the dog in it. It let out a 'Yelp' but didn't struggle. "Can you open the patrol car door?"

Officer Putnam laid the dog gently on the seat. "Thank you, Miss. There's a vet about two miles down the road. I'll radio animal control to remove the other dog."

I didn't know what to do so I followed him.

He must have called the Reading Animal Hospital because two people in white lab coats were waiting by a ramp with a gurney. I followed the officer inside hoping the poor thing would be all right.

"Is this your dog?" A technician in a blue lab coat asked me.

"No. I just moved here. I own a hamster and saw the poor thing along the road." What the two things had to do with each other I don't know. I was rambling.

A tall man with thinning hair came out. I read 'Dr. Bender' on his coat. "I think its paw maybe dislocated and the leg needs stitched. She doesn't have a collar or identification chip."

"Please, help her. I'll pay the bill," I said to the vet.

"We can fix her up, but if no one claims her after we release her, then she'll go to the shelter. If it's too crowded, they may only give her 48 hours for someone to claim her or put her down. I think cleaned up, it maybe a really gorgeous puppy. Maybe a German Shepherd. From how dirty she is, it looks like she's been on her own for a while."

Before I even knew what I was saying or doing as I was taking money out of my wallet, "If no one claims the puppy, I'll take her. Please don't let her be killed," I was crying uncontrollably.

The receptionist handed me a tissue and a glass of water.

"I'm sorry," I told everyone watching me, "I'm pregnant and I guess my hormones kicked in."

Officer Putnam made me sit down so I could calm down. Dr. Bender was doing the fatherly pat of my hand, "Miss."

"Stephanie."

"We'll take care of her wounds and examine her. If no one claims her, then we'll call you, Stephanie."

"Can I call tomorrow to check on her?"

"Yes. It's going to me a while before we get her bathed, examined, and stitched, Stephanie, so you should go home. She's very lucky you found her."

"OK. Please use the money for her care. I'll pay any balance."

Janie the technician walked me to my car and assured me they would take care of the puppy.

Two days later after work, I walked into Reading Animal Hospital. I was astounded when limping with a bandaged back leg into an examine room with Janie and coming right to me, a clean, soft, black German Shepherd puppy with brown tipped ears and two brown front paws. Deep brown eyes. She reminded me of 'Ranger' in dog fur.

Janie held a pink leash out to me, "She hasn't been claimed if you want her?"

She wagged her black tail and nuzzled my cheek as I was stooping to pet the puppy and claimed the leash. "Want to come home with me?"

I was rewarded with a happy bark. Maybe, I wouldn't be as lonely.

"Do you have a name in mind so I can put on her release papers and file."

Looking in those beautiful brown puppy eyes, "Garner."