Chapter 30: Goodbye

By the time I had gotten out of the hospital, I had been relatively calm and very determined. Sitting with Lisa had given me time to think. I had planned out my next steps:

1. Buy Lisa's Supplies

2. Eat something

3. Pack

4. Call Mike

5. Quit

After doing that, I got to work. I shopped, ate, and packed. I was like a machine.

Even when I couldn't reach Sarah's or Mike's cell, I did not slow down. The house answering machine told me that they were on a camping trip this week. It was not a problem. I didn't need a ride from them. Not really. I knew how to get into the house and I still had a bit of money left after Lisa's surgery. So, I just left a message on Mike's cell and booked a rent-a-car for tomorrow. No big deal.

The last step was quitting and that meant that I needed to talk to Mr. Maurizio.

After my failed attempts to reach Sarah and Mike, I made time to listen to the countless messages Mr. Maurizio had left while I was waiting at the hospital. In his last voicemail, Mr. Maurizio had asked me to wait in his office when I got back. So, I had called him to let him know I got his messages and then I had gone to his office. That had been over 2 hours ago.

I was sitting in the same chair that I had sat in last night when Mr. Maurizio and his sister had crushed my dreams. All I wanted to do was get out of here.

I checked my phone for the umpteenth time. It was past 10 pm. The show had ended hours ago and even dessert should be over by now. I had no idea what was taking him so long and I didn't care. At this point, I was prepared to quit over the phone.

I was about to dial the ringmaster when the door opened. Mr. Maurizio had finally arrived on the scene. The man was still in full circus attire. It looked like he'd just stepped out of the big top.

"Mr. Maurizio," I said.

"Mi patatina," Mr. Maurizio said, closing the door behind him. "I don't know how to explain-"

"I'm quitting the circus," I announced. I wasn't in the mood for his excuses. I just wanted to get this over with.

Mr. Maurizio's eyes got wide. Before he could say anything, I continued, "The vet said that Lisa requires constant care. You won't let me do that here, so I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning. Mr. Odoso can mail me my pay later."

"You're quitting?" Mr. Maurizio said in a hushed tone.

I nodded.

"And you're leaving first thing?" he asked. "You're not even getting breakfast tomorrow?"

I nodded again. I was in no mood to talk to Ruth or anyone else I might find in the cafeteria.

"I see…" he said.

I waited for more. I expected Mr. Maurizio to offer one of his damn compromises, but he said nothing. I didn't think it was possible but he did something worse. Mr. Maurizio looked… relieved.

I clenched my fists and said, "Goodnight then."

I stood up. I was leaving now.

Mr. Maurizio caught me as I walked past. "Kelsey," he said.

I looked up at him: the round friendly face, the pointed mustache, and the eyes that always seemed to twinkle. He was even in his shiny red coat. This was classic Maurizio, just as I remembered him.

"Come by my RV before you leave," he said, "to say goodbye."

"Alright," I said, shrugging off his hand. I left the office feeling hollow. This had been one of the longest days of my life and now it was finally over.

The next morning, I was up before dawn. I rolled out of bed, showered, got dressed, and tied a saffron ribbon in my hair. Cathleen and Mrs. Gailon didn't even move as I left the RV. That was fine. I'd be back. There was just something I needed to do before I left the circus for good.

I arrived at the enclosures and was relieved to see Dhiren was back in his proper spot. I had come by last night to gather the few toys I had in Lisa's enclosure, but he'd been performing then. I approached his enclosure but the door was now fastened with a heavy padlock. I stared at the new lock before turning to the dozing tiger.

"I guess you won't be getting out anymore."

The tiger's ears didn't even twitch.

"Dhiren?" I said a bit louder.

I circled the enclosure until I was as close to him as possible.

"Dhiren," I tried one more time rattling the enclosure fencing.

Still nothing. He'd been like this yesterday too. He was dead to the world.

"I guess, you really are asleep," I said to him. I sighed. "Well, I just came here to tell you I made my decision."

My thoughts drifted back to my dream from the other night.

"I finally figured out what I care about most and its Lisa. She's hurt and she needs me so I have to go." I clasped the enclosure fence. "I'm going to miss you though. You are the best thing about this place and a good friend. I wish…I wish I could take you with me."

Dhiren's ear twitched.

My heart leaped, but the tiger didn't stir.

"I also wish you weren't asleep," I said loudly.

The tiger slept on.

I rubbed my eyes. "But that's wishes for you I guess."

For a moment, I stood there and looked at Dhiren. I remembered Matt's horrid introduction and how afraid I'd been to be left alone with the tiger. Things had changed so much since then. If given the chance, I'm sure I would have gone in there and petted the tiger like a common housecat.

I smiled. Dhiren was anything but common. He had been more than just a tiger to me for a while. He was…special. My friend.

"Dhiren," I said. I could feel myself breaking. "I really will miss you. Take care of yourself and…" I was running out of things to say, so I knew it was time to leave. "Goodbye Dhiren. Thanks for everything."

I left the enclosures for the last time. I moved quickly and reminded myself that I'd given up crying. No more tears. I told myself as I rubbed my eyes.

Luckily, my other goodbyes were much less heartfelt. Mrs. Gailon and her daughter didn't bother to wake up when I said goodbye. Mrs. Gailon had only grunted and Cathleen had just mumbled something inaudible. And Mr. Maurizio had almost seemed nervous when I had gone to him. He had hugged me, called me "mi patatina" for the last time, and said all the right things, but it all felt like an act. I didn't believe a word of it.

After I extricated myself from his embrace, I grabbed my bags and headed out. Before leaving the fairgrounds, I turned and took one last look at the circus. I stared out at the big top, the tents, the RVs and, even though they were obscured, I looked towards Dhiren and the enclosures as well.

I stood there for way too long. This circus had been the biggest disappointment of my life. I had not found what I was looking for here. It was no haven, no home. Really, it had been a step above hell and it didn't deserve a second glance.

I told myself those things for a while before I finally managed to look away and move on. I walked the couple blocks to the rent-a-car place. From there, I loaded my bags into the car and grabbed breakfast. After that, I picked up the supplies I had bought yesterday. I loaded them into the rent-a-car. Finally, I went to the vet.

Lisa was still sleeping. I put her in the new carrier I had bought and listened to the vet's instructions with my full attention. I did not want to miss a thing.

"Call me if there are any complications," he finished.

I nodded.

Then I left the hospital and loaded my sleeping bobcat into the back seat of the car. I got in and looked back at her. Seeing her there sleeping and safe, I finally let out the breath I had been holding since last night. I had done it. It was going to be okay now. I would take care of her.

"Let's get out of here, Lisa."

After one last glance, I turned and faced forward. I started the car. Then we were on the road, leaving the circus and my dreams behind.

A/N: First off, this is not the end. I still have some surprises in store and some questions to answer. So stay tuned!

Second, for those of you who didn't see my profile or the updated author's note on the last chapter, I took May and April off basically because I had to scrap 6 chapters.

*shiver*

I needed to do some deep thinking about how I wanted to finish this story. Tiger's Circus is very important to me and I want to do it justice. Luckily, I had a breakthrough and we're back on track for now. In fact, with this chapter, we have entered the final arc. Can you believe it? Tiger's Circus had its 3-year anniversary this May and it's hard to believe it'll be coming to a close soon.

Third, please check out my new crossover story Rajah's Curse. Dhiren is the main character, in my retelling of Disney's Aladdin. I think you guys will enjoy seeing things from his perspective. I just finished the Prince Ali scene and I have big plans for this new fic.

That's all for now. Please consider leaving a review of this new chapter. It helps me stay motivated. I'll see you next month.