Ty's Wednesday
Cloud and Wind required his intense attention throughout the day, delaying his departure from the rescue that afternoon. The heavy rain did not help the situation. Ty was still 4 miles away from the airport, driving as fast as safety would allow in the downpour, when Michael called to say his flight had just landed.
"Hey Ty. I'm here."
"Great. Headed your way. I'll pick you up curbside." Ty told him.
"You in New Blue?" Michael asked.
Ty winced, then muttered. "Yeah, I'm in my Ram truck."
At the designated arrival pickup spot, he waited for Michael in his truck. The windshield wipers swept back and forth, rubbing against the glass, pushing the rain away. Its repetitive sound and synchronized movement mesmerized Ty, calmed him, lulled him into deep thought, transported him.
He hadn't heard that name in a while. Amy had dubbed his new truck, New Blue, when he first purchased it. An ode to Old Blue she said. At first he thought it was funny, kinda cute, even used it himself..back then. Somehow the name stuck with Michael, though Ty wished it hadn't.
He was jolted out of his thoughts by a sharp knock on the passenger window. Michael stood there in the pouring rain, water dripping off his cowboy hat, smiling.
Ty reached over, opened the door with its inside handle.
"Sorry Michael!" Ty said. "Get in. Good to see you."
"Hey Ty!" Michael said as he climbed in, threw his carryon bag on the back seat. As usual, he was in a good mood, nothing ever seemed to bother him.
"Welcome to YVR!" Ty said sarcastically.
"Yes Very Rainy." He chuckled, settling into his seat, put on his seatbelt as Ty merged into traffic. "Thanks for picking me up."
"Sure thing."
Noticing that Ty was wearing his vet scrubs, Michael asked. "You just coming from work?"
"Yeah. Hectic day. Mind if we head to my place first before we head to Roscoe's for a beer? You can drop your bag. I can get a shower." Ty asked, though he knew it would be fine with Michael.
"No problem. So. What's going on at the rescue?"
"A mare and her colt were attacked a few days ago by a cougar." He minimized the event that had consumed most of his waking and sleeping hours for the last several days.
"Bad?"
"Yeah. They're a mess." Ty broke into vet-speak. "Both had significant lacerations to their throats and necks requiring subcutaneous and outer tissue sutures plus penroses. The foal's jugular was exposed, nicked, and sternocephalicus muscle was completely transected. Had to do some stitching to pull that together too."
"Complex surgeries, then?"
"Yeah. Mirna operated on the mare, I got the foal. He had a rough day yesterday, he coded, but we got him back. But, he's nowhere near out of the woods." Ty explained.
"You have been busy." Impressed, he empathized with Ty.
"But that's not the half of it." He continued.
"Oh? More injuries."
"Not the horses." He paused for effect. "Get a load of this. We also have the rare black cougar who attacked the horses. And her cub. She had a complete break of her right ulna and radius. We think the mare kicked her during the attack."
"No kidding? That's crazy..." His eyebrows were raised.
"I know, what are the chances?" Ty asked as he waited for the traffic light to turn green.
"Low, I would guess." He paused. "I always wondered what it would be like to treat both the victim and perp." Michael thought aloud.
"I have to be honest. Thinking about it was way harder than actually doing it." Ty admitted. "Guess our medical training just kicks in, takes over and negates any reservations."
"I can see that." Then he asked earnestly. "Hey. Could we swing by the rescue some time this week? I'd like to see the horses."
"Sure. But I'm warning you, Mirna may put you to work." He laughed. "On top of horses and cougars, we have a bunch of eagles...and kittens and puppies."
"Fine by me." Michael was not deterred. "So how's that working, the cougars and horses housed in the same building? I'm sure they can sense each other."
"That was my worry too. We have an empty large animal room between them. Plus, all but the cougar cub are sedated. So far, it hasn't been an issue."
"That's good." He put his hand on the back of his neck, tried rub away his concern. "I can't help but think of the trauma those horses endured. No doubt behavioral issues will surface, if they haven't already. The foal will be most impacted. What's your behavioral treatment plan for post wound care?"
"Yeah. I hadn't thought that far ahead." Ty scratched his scruffy chin, pursed his lips. "To be honest, the rescue doesn't keep animals that long. After their wounds are healed, we send them on their way... to home, zoo, back to the wild, or to a rehab place. We often don't deal with behavioral issues."
"That makes sense."
Though he was understanding, Ty could see that his friend was concerned so he offered him a opportunity.
"Regardless. You're absolutely right. If the horses begin to exhibit behavioral issues while with us, would you be willing to consult on the case?"
"Absolutely. I would welcome that." His demeanor lightened as he jumped at the chance. "It would be nice to work together again. We sure had some adventures back in the day."
"We did indeed...we make a good team."
"We do." Ty said as he turned into the parking lot of his apartment building. "Here we are." He said as he put the truck in park and cut the engine.
After a short stop at Ty's apartment, they headed to Roscoe's Pub for a couple of beers at the bar. As usual, Rick was bartending.
"Hey Rick!" Ty called as they headed to the pub.
"Hey Ty." He took a double take. "Well, look what the cat drug in. How are you Michael?" Rick dried his hands on a towel, reached across the old scarred, wooden bar to shake his hand.
"Good to see you Rick." Michael said as they shook hands. "It's been too long."
"What brings you to town? Wait. Let me guess. A vet conference?" Rick chuckled.
"You called it." Michael laughed.
"Only time you come." Rick chastised him.
"You know. Calgary has an airport too." Michael reminded him.
"Yeah. Well." Rick asked. "So. What can I get you two?"
Ty looked at Michael. "Red Truck?" Michael nodded.
"A couple of Reds, then."
As it was just after five on a Wednesday afternoon, Roscoe's dinner crowd was starting to file in and Rick got busy filing orders. Ty and Michael stayed at the bar, nursing their beers, talking and laughing.
"So, what's going on with you?" Ty asked.
"Well, UC's on spring break now. We start back this Monday. So I trailered Gwenie to Pike River to visit dad for a few days."
"How is your dad?" Ty asked with genuine respect. Though he had only met him once, under the worst of circumstances, he felt like he knew him from the stories Michael told. Mickey was made from the same mold as Jack, a man who would do anything for his family and friends. He knew Michael to be cut from the same cloth.
"He's in good health again. And, in good spirits. He's back to heading up the Feral Horse Division over at Environment and Parks. He's working too much, but he truly loves it. Oh, he said to tell you Hello."
"Glad to hear he's doing well. Please tell him Hello from me. Give him my best regards."
"I will. Anyhow, we had a real nice visit. Took a few long trail rides. Went by mom's grave. Patched a leak in his roof. The normal kind of stuff."
"See any wildies?" He inquired.
"Yes. Several times. One afternoon, we even vaccinated the herd's foals. Three were birthed this spring, a filly and two colts." Michael sighed. "I never grow tired of seeing them. Wild, free, amazingly beautiful."
"And, healthy?"
"Yeah. Pretty much. The town fed them through the winter, and now its spring so..."
"Glad that the town has come together on that issue. Last time I was there, they were split. Some wanted to let horse survive on their own defenses, some wanted to feed them, still others wanted to cull them. One guy got a permit to cull them." Ty recalled as he sipped his beer. "We got arrested when we released the horses from the makeshift corral."
"Arrested? Really?" He voiced his surprise. "Dang."
"Yeah. They dropped the charges when we helped round the horses up again." Ty frowned.
"When was that again?" Michael's curiosity was peaked.
Ty looked upward briefly, trying to remember the year. "Let's see. It was after the flood but before our last year in school...so 2014."
"Hmm. I don't remember that cull, but the story sounds so familiar." He tilted his head, squinted his eyes and wrinkled his nose trying to recall it.
Ty continued on. "Anyhow. At the last moment, the guy called the cull off. He actually released the horses right off the very truck that was taking them to the slaughterhouse."
"Wow!"
"Yeah. Watching them stream back into the field gave me goosebumps. Still does." A small smile touched his lips as he pictured Amy walking amongst the wildies in that same field.
"Yeah. There's nothing like seeing them run free."
"Yeah. Pretty special." They tapped their beer mugs together, Ty took a swig.
Michael looked at Ty. "Oh wait. Amy Fleming was there too, right?"
Startled to hear her name, he almost choked on his beer. "Ahh. Yeah. How did you know that?" He tried to remain calm, nonchalant.
"Remember I told you about seeing Old Blue and Amy broken down near campus."
Ty nodded. "Yeah."
"We talked some. I told her that Gwenie was from a herd at Pike River. She told me about a Pike River cull that she tried to stop. Or least try to rehome some of them. The wildies were rounded up then released at the last moment too." He explained.
"Oh." Ty nodded, looked straight ahead. "Yes, she was there. We both were."
"Thought the stories sounded oddly similar...Speaking of, I saw her at the airport today." Michael admitted.
"You mean Amy?" Ty turned to Michael, tried to appear casual, even though his chest was tightening.
Michael chuckled. "Yeah. I almost didn't recognize her. I mean she looked the same, pretty and all. But. She was driving this fancy SUV, a Porsche."
"Oh?"
"Apparently, Old Blue wasn't cooperating. Imagine that?" He added sarcastically.
He forced a chuckle, then took another swig.
"Anyhow. She was picking up someone who was arriving from France." He continued.
"She was probably picking up Lisa Stillman." Ty assumed, putting France and Porsche together. "Lisa owns the Porsche too, I bet."
"Well. She did mentioned her. Her grandmother, right?"
"Well. Her step-grandmother actually. Lisa married Amy's grandfather, not ago." He filled in the details.
"Right. Anyhow, I overheard her talking on the phone. She was picking up someone whose name begins with the letter A. Angela, no maybe Andrew or something like that."
Ty didn't respond.
"Guess that's not important...But she did ask me to tell you Hello."
"She did?" A warm sensation shot through his body, tingling his skin, erupting in moisture on his temple.
"Yeah, that and congrats. She said that they saw you on the news with the eagles."
"She saw that?" He blurted out. "They?"
"Apparently everyone in Alberta saw it. You're famous, Ty!"
"Yeah, right." He hesitated, glancing at him. "Um. How is she?"
"She looked good, seemed happy." Michael replied. "Oh. She's starting undergrad classes at UC on Monday."
"Well, good for her." He smiled, feeling a sense of pride for her.
"Aside from that, she was running late so we didn't talk much...if I see her again, do you want me to relay anything?"
"Nah, that's okay."
"You sure?" Michael leaned toward his friend.
"I can't." Ty took a swig of his beer, then excused himself. "Hey. I got to go to the washroom."
In the bathroom, Ty looked at himself in the mirror. His skin was pale and clammy. A single bead of sweat collected, rolled down his temple. Wetting a paper towel with cool water, he blotted the moisture from his face and from the back of his neck.
After several minutes, Ty, calm and collected, rejoined Michael at the bar. The conversation shifted to the the first time they met Mirna, Celina and James during the marmot trip on Vancouver Island.
At 6:15, Ty's phone vibrated. He excused himself, moved outside to answer. Given the driving rain, he huddled under the pub's overhang.
"Hey Momma C." He smiled. He wasn't surprised that she was checking up on him. Somehow it did not bother him, instead he usually welcomed her motherly nagging.
"Hey Ty. Did you pick up Michael?"
"Of course, we're having a beer before we head your way."
"Not too much beer?" She asked.
"No. Just one or two." He smiled, shaking his head. Nothing ever changed.
"Okay. Please pick up a bag of ice on your way. The rains are pretty heavy, so be careful." She warned.
Ty rolled his eyes. "Always. Need anything else?" He asked.
"No. We have everything we need for our dinner."
"Northern Italian?" Ty said hopefully.
"Of course. See you soon. Drive careful."
"You worry to much, Momma C." He said with a laugh.
"Someone has to, you don't."
A small twinge tweaked his heart. He sighed, then headed back inside to close their tab.
Arriving with wine and ice, Ty parked in the driveway in front of Celina and James' home. As Michael opened the truck door to get out, Ty touched his arm.
"Hey Michael." Ty said tentatively.
"Yeah?"
"Do me a favor. Don't bring up Amy, okay?"
"Oh, okay...but why?" He looked at his friend, trying to read his face.
"Just don't." He said with all seriousness, but not willing to share any more.
Michael promised. "Okay. I won't."
"Thanks."
As a grinning James opened the door, a heavenly scent of roasted garlic and onion waffled out, welcoming them in.
"Ty, Michael. So glad that you made it out in this wet mess. Come in."
"James. Thanks for having us." Ty said as he entered the house, shook his hand, then handed him a bottle of Italian Chianti Classico.
"Great to see you. Thanks for the invitation." Michael followed suit, shaking hands, handing him another bottle of Chianti.
"We will eat and drink well tonight. Celina has been in the kitchen cooking up a storm since Sunday." He chuckled. "Please hang your coats in the closet there."
They followed James into the kitchen where an apron clad Celina was flitting around the kitchen, Frank Sinatra was crooning in the background.
"Ty! Michael!" She came around the counter, hugged them both. "So glad you could make it. Are you hungry?"
"Starved. What smells so incredible Momma C?" Ty asked.
"Oh just a few old family recipes..." She played coy.
James left to the room to answer the doorbell. He returned with Mirna and Joe.
"Wonderful. Everyone is here. James, could you please assemble the aperitivo?"
"Bellini's coming up." James poured fresh white peach puree into chilled flutes, topped it with Prosecco. He handed a glass to each.
Celina explained. "An aperitivo is a ritual in Italy. After a long day, friends and family gather to relax and enjoy each other's company. The drink is served before the meal to open the tastebuds and stimulate the appetite."
James raised his glass, which everyone followed suit. "To friends who Celina and I love as family. Cin -cin!"
"To friends! Cin-cin!" The group gathered around her kitchen island, some in high stools, some standing, laughing and talking, enjoying their cocktail.
"For our antipasti, we are having the Bagna Cauda and crudités." Celina announced, setting a wooden board heaped with roasted cauliflower, zucchini, and sweet bell peppers, raw radishes, endive, and fennel, and crusty bread on the island. In the middle of the board was a bowl of hot brownish dip, of sorts. James poured each a glass of Piedmontese Nebbiolo, a tannic red wine, that complimented the dip.
"What's bag and calla?" Michael asked as he surveyed the board.
She laughed, then correct his pronunciation. "Bagna Cauda. Its of mixture of olive oil, butter, garlic and anchovies served hot. It's for dipping."
"Anchovies?" He said, inadvertently bringing his hand to his mouth to hide his expression.
"Try it." Ty suggested, dredging a piece of bread into the dip, shoving it in his mouth, his eyes almost rolled back into his head. "It's incredible."
Hesitantly, Michael picked up a piece of bread, dipped it in, took a small bite, smiled. "Oh, that is good."
"See?" Laughter rose as did the chatter.
After the antipasti was demolished, James led everyone to the dining room where the table was covered in a pale yellow table cloth and set with faded blue and white Spode china and crystal stemware. James sat on one of the table, Celina on the other. Ty and Michael were seated to her left and right, respectively. Mirna sat next to Ty and Joe next to Michael.
Each place setting already had a bowl of steaming Minestrone soup and a glass of Chianti Classico.
"For our Primi, we are having Minestrone soup paired with a nice Chianti, courtesy of Ty and Michael." Celina announced.
Mirna raised her wine glass, as she cleared her throat. "I know it's tradition that hosts do the toast, but I already cleared this with James."
A soft chuckle when around the table.
"I am deeply thankful for each of you in my life. Without you, my life's work have not been possible. And my life would not have been complete. So thank you for your wonderful friendship and love. To true friends. Cin-cin!"
"Cin-cin! To true friends!"
After a few minutes of slurps and Mmms, Joe asked, "So, Michael, how did you get mixed up with this bunch?"
Michael chuckled. "Well, it's really Ty's fault." He winked at his friend. "Ty and I were classmates at UCalgary. As you may know, Mirna had arranged a Vets Without Borders externship with three Vet Schools in Canada. Ty was UC's pick. Anyhow. The Western College student backed out just before the Vancouver Island Marmot trip, jeopardizing the entire trip. Ty was so desperate to go, he convinced me to take that guy's place."
"How did he convince you?" Joe asked.
"Naturally, he bribed me." He laughed at his own joke. "First, he promised to be my lab partner. Second, he promised to teach me how to play pool." He paused. "I passed the lab class with flying colors...but, to this day, I still can't play pool to save my life."
"Hey. I honestly tried." Ty added with a smirk.
"Anyhow, the Friday night before the mission, we hopped into New Blue and drove 13 1/2 hours, essentially all night from Calgary to Vancouver."
"New Blue?" James asked, eyeing Ty.
Michael laughed. "Yeah. Ty's Ram truck. New Blue is an ode to his old truck, blue 1953 GMC truck, dubbed Old Blue." Michael responded, making Ty cringe.
"Ah. Ty showed me a picture of Old Blue. What a classic beauty." James added, watching Ty's expression.
"Beautiful yes, but she was constantly breaking down. I even saw her broken down on the side of the road near UC a few weeks ago."
"Oh really. Small World." James responded.
Michael finally noticed Ty giving him the stink eye, so he quickly changed the subject. "Um. Anyhow. The marmot mission was on Saturday and Sunday. Then we drove the 13 1/2 hours back just in time for class Monday morning."
"That sounds miserable." Joe said.
"They looked miserable. You should have seen them when they rolled into town at 4:00am Saturday morning." Celina added. "They were exhausted."
Michael admitted. "I won't lie, it was a very long drive."
"Yeah, but, the mission was worth it." Ty jumped in, spilling facts and figures." In 2013, there were 346 marmots on Vancouver Island, in the world. In 2014, there were only 266. It was a 25% decline. We had to act."
"So, what was the mission?" Joe asked.
"The capture of marmots for a captive-breeding and release program sanctioned under Canada's Species at Risk Act." Mirna explained. "They only do the capture once a year."
"How many did you get?" Joe asked.
"21!" Ty said enthusiastically. "We tagged and vetted them too. I was hooked after that. I felt like I was making a difference."
Conversation continued as James and Celina cleared the soup bowls to the kitchen, returning with the main course.
"Tonight's secondi is ossobuco, parmigiana polenta and field salad. The ossobuco consists of cross-cut veal shanks braised, then slow cooked with vegetables, thyme, garlic, white wine and broth. The polenta is made with coarse ground cornmeal and parmigiana. We also have a field insalata and fresh baked cornetto."
The cornmeal polenta was formed into a smooth mound, turned out onto a round wooden board. Using a long string, Celina sliced the polenta. Each slice was plated, then smothered with ossobuco and its juices. The aroma was intoxicating.
James poured more wine. "This is Brunello, a Tuscan full-bodied wine. It pairs nicely with the ossobuco."
This time Ty stood and raised his glass. "I did not clear this toast with Celina."
Everyone laughed.
"I am so grateful for everyone around this table. Grateful to Michael for being there all through vet school, coming through in the clutch, more than once. Grateful to Mirna for taking a chance on me as a vet student and as a new vet starting out. Grateful for Joe for sharing his expertise, pitching in whenever we need him. Grateful to James for opening your home me so many times. And, lastly. I am grateful and indebted to Momma C for loving me despite my faults and watching over me. Always...To friends. Cin-cin."
Celina's eyes turned watery, smile trembled just a bit.
"To friends. Cin-cin." They clinked glasses.
Their conversation came to a halt as they tasted the rich meal before them, erupting oohs and aahs, then profusely complimenting Celina. She grinned ear to ear as her checks turned rosy.
Throughout the main course, they shared laughter, stories about the various endangered animal mission trips, Gray Fox in Manitoba, Great Blue Heron on the northern coast of B.C., Peary Caribou in Nunavut, Grizzly Bear in northern Saskatchewan, Black-Footed Ferret in Alberta.
After dinner, Celina announce that the dolce was a creamy panna cotta was served with strong, dark Italian espresso.
"Joe, what do you think of the black cougar? Have you ever seen anything like her?" Michael asked.
"She is exquisite. The juxtaposition of her deep ebony fur, her emerald green eyes, her bright white dagger-like carnassial. Just beautiful." He added. "And, no, I have never had the privilege of seeing or touching a black cougar before. It's quite an experience."
"What will become of her and her cub?" James asked.
"The Squamish Chief wants to release back to the wild, which we would prefer as well." Mirna paused. "But, her full recovery will take 6 to 8 weeks. I mean we certainly can't return her to the wild with a cone around her neck."
"But, the longer she stays with humans, the less able she will be to survive in the wild. Same is true for the cub. He lose his fear of humans. They both will." Ty added.
"Sometimes our interventions, though good intentioned, do not yield our hoped outcomes." Joe lamented.
"True, but the cougars have a real shot at a successful release. We have both the mother and cub, that helps to keep them socialized with their own breed." Mirna said optimistically.
"And. She is such a good mother. It's amazing to see how gentle and patient she is with her cub. She has great maternal instinct." Celina added.
"She does." Ty agreed, then whispered to her. "Like you."
"So Michael. Do you still do missions?" Joe asked, changing the subject.
"No. I had to stop when my dad had his heart attack a few years back."
"How is your dad?" Celina asked empathically.
"Oh. He's doing well. Very well actually. Thanks. I just saw him. He's back at work, doing what he loves. Working with wild horses."
"Good to hear. Give him my best." Celina offered.
Mirna responded in kind. "The program lost a great wildlife vet when Michael had to step away. Understandably so."
"Thanks." Michael blushed. "It was terrible timing, for sure."
"A heart attack is never well timed." James replied.
"True that. What I meant was...I was scheduled to go to Nova Scotia with Mirna and another student. I had to back out and Ty went in my place."
"What was the mission there?" Joe asked.
"We were following up on three solid sightings of the eastern cougar in the same 2 mile area. There was a video and several pictures of tracks and scat. It was all very promising." Michael explained.
"Ah yes. The mission from hell." Mirna winced slightly as she thought back. "From soup to nuts."
"The worst." Celina echoed her expression.
"What happened?" Joe leaned in, wanting to hear more.
"What didn't? First there were the flight delays, the foot of snow that covered the tracks, uncooperative witnesses, the media, the bunkhouse lost power, and Ty..."
"Ugh. I will never live this down." Ty groaned.
"Nope." Mirna chastised him. "You should have gotten your flu shot."
Ty tried to explain. "Okay. In my defense. I wasn't scheduled to go on a mission. I was planning to go home..." He frowned, shaking his head. "Um, I mean stay home...uh, to study."
Mirna continued. "Given the opportunity, Ty agreed to go...despite being unvaccinated and having a little headache." She used her fingers to air quote "little headache".
"It wasn't that bad." Trying to downplay it.
"Not that bad? That little headache turned into a two week stay at Digby hospital. Turns out Ty had the flu which combined with exhaustion, dehydration, and non-treatment led to delirium, pneumonia, respiratory failure, sepsis and whole nine yards." Mirna pressed her lips. "And, another two weeks of complete bed rest in Nova Scotia. It would have been worse if not for Celina."
Ty raised his glass to her, lean over, whispered to her. "Thank you Celina."
"Celina?" Joe asked.
"Celina had one of her premonitions. She knew Ty needed help and called Mirna." James said full of pride, winking at his wife.
Celina blushed.
"And, I found him outside in a foot of snow at 1:00 in the morning buck naked talking gibberish on his phone." Mirna recalled. "As I soon as I got him inside, he vomited everywhere, collapsed, and completely passed out. If Celina hadn't called, he would have frozen to death outside."
"Oh my." Joe gasped.
"Who was the other student on that mission? The one at OVC in Guelph? Shoot, why can't I remember her name?" Mirna asked.
"Claire Russell." Celina said with a sneer.
"That's right. Celina doesn't care for Claire because she was Ty's bunkmate and did not report his illness."
"Buck naked too." Celina muttered, then said something a bit stronger under her breath.
"Anyhow. Turns out she was vaccinated. Thankfully. She nursed him back to health when he was convalescing." Mirna said. "You gotta give her credit for that. Better late than never."
Ignoring her comment, Ty grumbled. "The worst part was no cougars sightings. All for not."
"That was the worst part?" Celina gasped. "Ty Borden!"
"Well, he did get a girlfriend out of the deal." Mirna chided him.
"She wasn't my girlfriend." Ty denied, glaring.
"Do you still see or hear from her?" Mirna pressed on.
"It's been years. But, Um. Out of the blue, she called yesterday. She'll be here for the conference. She's coming in on the red eye tomorrow morning." Ty admitted.
"What is she doing now?" Mirna asked.
"Causing trouble, I'm sure." Celina said under her breath, making Ty chuckle.
"Um. We didn't talk long. She's back in Nova Scotia from a mission in Ethiopia, working with the local farmers and their dairy cows." He replied.
"Well, that mission sounds perfect for her." Celina said somewhat sarcastically. "Faraway."
"Now, now Celina." Mirna chided her, but smiled knowingly.
Ty changed the subject. "Um. Michael and I plan to come by the clinic tomorrow. Michael wants to see the horses."
Celina shot him a dirty look.
"Momma C. We promise to get our VCEs." He grinned at her. "We're coming after the conference sessions. Promise."
"I am holding you to it, Ty." She smiled.
"Michael, your interest is in horses, not the cougars?" Joe was surprised. "Not even black ones?"
"Yes. I am an equine vet and professor at UCVM. Equine Behavioral Therapy is my specialty." Michael explained.
"So the VWB missions weren't your cup of tea?"
"Actually, they were extremely fascinating and very educational. I would have continued if not for my dad." He pressed his lips. "But horses are truly my passion. Now if Mirna had invited me go to Namib-Naukluft Park, I would have jumped at the chance. I would have paid my own way." He grinned at her.
"Duly noted." Mirna responded with a smile.
"Anyhow, I hope to get involved again...right Mirna?" He looked across the table at Mirna. "So are you all set for the annual ATOBA tomorrow? Have everything you need?"
"I am all set!" She replied.
"What's ATOBA again?" James asked.
"Alberta Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association. They have having their annual meeting at UCVM tomorrow night and I'm doing a presentation on my Namibia trip. Michael and Celina set it up." Mirna said.
"Oh. A fundraiser?" Joe asked.
"Yes, well of sorts. We are trying to set up a wild horse VWB externship." Mirna said.
"Right up your alley." James said looking at Michael.
"Absolutely, I plan on being very involved with those missions." Michael smiled. "I am hoping to work with Ty."
Dessert and coffee finished, James brought out another bottle of wine.
Celina explained. "At the end of every meal, Northern Italians believe in serving a digestivo to aid the digestion of the meal. James is pouring you each a small bit of grappa."
"What's grappa?" Joe asked.
"It is a wine made from pomace aka the skins, seeds and stems left over from winemaking. It is lower in alcoholic content." James explained.
"Grape leftovers?" Michael asked.
"It is a tradition born of of Italian thrift. Use whatever is given." Celina informed him.
Celina stood, raised her glass, said. "Saluti ai miei cari! " Her eyes misted.
Everyone raised their glass. "Saluti!"
Hello Everyone.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Maybe some of your questions about Nova Scotia were answered. Maybe more cropped up.
Or. Maybe your stomach is growling. These Northern Italian dishes are those that my paternal grandmother would make when I was growing up. My dad and his family are from a small town called Roverè Veronese, northeast of Verona, Italy. Most still live there.
Let me know what you think BUT please be nice.
SBR