Best in Bed

by Cheryl Dragon

  “Who just leaves adorable little kittens?” asked the secretary who was hand feeding one during a lull in the office traffic.

  “Just be glad they brought them here and didn’t leave them in a dumpster,” I advised. I’d seen my share of abandoned or abused animals. This litter was lucky; they were barely chilled when we found them, whoever left them had done it not long before we opened. Every member of the five litter family was a decent weight and healthy.

  “They’re so cute.” She cuddled her orange tabby that was half asleep.

  “Yeah, too bad I can’t take them home.” The only drawback to apartment was living was no pets in our building. I had plenty to play with at work.

  The bell rang on the front door and the secretary started to balance getting up with not disturbing her creature. “I got it,” I said. I had been weighing in the all black runt who didn’t like to be put down and let her cling to my collar. The animal seemed content, though its little needle-like claws needed to be trimmed.

  I pushed through the swinging door to see my favorite patient and owner and neither looked very happy. “Mr. Lauden?” I got his attention and he looked relieved. Seth headed for me in a rush.

  “Dr. Castini, I’m glad you’re here. Monster got into something.” He handed me the whining puppy as though it were a ticking bomb.

  I felt the kitten dig deeper into my neck as the dog whined. “Let’s take a look.” I stayed calm and focused on the animal even as I noticed Seth’s casual attire. Jeans and a sweater weren’t his usual. Maybe it was his day off. “Did you see what happened?” I moved us to an exam room and rested Monster on the table.

  “No, he just started whining. We were in the park. He was running around and then stopped and started whimpering like he hurt himself. He walks fine and I don’t see anything.” Seth stood close behind me. I could feel his concern as well as his body heat.

  I ran my hands over the puppy’s coat, no reaction. His legs, torso, and face all seemed fine. Carefully I lifted his lip and was greeted with a low growl. “That’s it. That’s the problem.”

  “What is?” Seth asked.

  “He bit something. Puppies love to eat things.” I changed where I was touching on the dog’s snout and the growling went away. Slowly I pressured the puppy to open up.

  Monster flinched and Seth flinched behind me. Nervous owners were always more work than the patient. Luckily, it just meant they cared. I could feel his anxiety.

  Monster shook his head and spit out a tooth. “He’s teething.” Seth picked it up.

  “Sure, maybe it wasn’t coming out and hurting him. He might have bit down on something else at the time it came loose and hurt his gum.” I examined the dog’s mouth. “Nothing major. A scrape. Looks like he bit into his own tooth not realizing what it was. It’ll heal fast. I’ll give him some antibiotics just in case.”

  Seth took a deep breath and exhaled, petting the dog. “That’s a relief.”

  “Hold his head, I don’t want him to jump,” I instructed. Seth held the puppy as I stuck the needle in. Monster growled again, louder this time, and my collar decoration cried and climbed higher.

  “All done.” I scratched Monster’s head with on hand and patted the scared kitten with the other.

  “Who is that?” Seth asked. He got very close and used a single finger to pet the little black kitten. The gentle finger was careful on the tiny creature.

  “We got a litter of strays in this morning. She was getting weighed when you came in and decided she liked my collar better than sharing space with her brothers and sisters. Want to hold her?” I offered.

  “Think Monster will mind?” he asked.

  “As long they meet young, dogs and cats can get along. She has a lot more to fear from him than the other way. He could swallow her whole.” I dislodged the kitten from me and handed it to Seth. Clearly he had an affection for pets, even if his nephews had been the ones to introduce Monster to him unwillingly.

  “She’s so small. Can you get them adopted at this age?” he asked.

  “No, too young. It’ll be a few weeks before we can do that. She can’t eat cat food yet. Until then they’ll have to be hand fed since no one knows where the mom is.” I gave Monster a little attention so he didn’t feel left out. “Looking to adopt one?”

  Seth paused. “I don’t know. Monster here is a handful. I don’t know if I could handle another.”

  “Well, there is plenty of time to change your mind. They’ll be here for a few weeks at least. Then, we’ll find them homes.” I thought he looked cute with the black little ball of fur purring in his hand. The kitten was content to stretch and rub against Seth’s fingers.

  Now I was jealous of a cat! The little ball of fur had certainly gotten farther than I had in the months I’d known Seth. If only I could purr, maybe he’d want to pet me.

  I stopped myself. I had to get over this crush. It was stupid and not going anywhere.

  This one was so different and odd; I couldn’t get a handle on it. Why could I flirt well with every other man on the planet and with this one I just got too mixed up inside? It wasn’t like me.

  I blamed work. I focused on the animals more than the men. Right now, nothing was stopping me from turning on the charm. I wasn’t about to ask him out, but I could at least let him know I was interested. I told myself to say something before he packs up and leaves.

  Just then a lab tech came in. “Everything okay?” she asked.

  “Sure,” I replied. I had to think of something. “Would you watch Monster for a minute. I’m going to show Mr. Lauden the rest of the new litter.”

  Not that he’d asked or anything, though he smiled and followed me to the back. The rest of the kittens were in their cage huddled up in a group nap.

  I took the little black one from Seth’s hands, ignoring the sparks from his skin as best I could. It wasn’t easy. He hadn’t shown the slightest bit of interest in me beyond being his vet and I didn’t chase men. If they weren’t interested, I wasn’t going to throw myself at them. I’d seen my older sister, Nina, make a fool of herself over a guy, and I vowed never to act like that.

  “Here you go, back with the family.” I gently placed the black one at the top of the heap and she snuggled in. To be a spoiled house cat, that’s what I hoped for all of them. Not a bad life.

  Seth was inspecting the different patterns. “Two orange, two black with spots, and one all black? Odd mixture for siblings.”

  “These aren’t purebreds like Monster. Very questionable parentage. Probably have different fathers too.” I shrugged and wondered why I was suddenly discussing feline mating habits with a man I had a crush on.

  “Different fathers?” He folded his arms, looking interested.

  “It’s just the law of nature. Goes back to the days when cats lived in groups, like lions. If there is a chance the kittens are the offspring of that male, they won’t hurt them. So females generally don’t discriminate as much. Protects them from a fight and their kittens from harm if the males knew there was a chance the cubs were theirs. It’s all survival instinct.”

  “And leads to pretty cats.” Seth smiled. “Which is your favorite?”

  I shrugged. “I’m partial to the all black one. She’s the runt. Black cats are supposed to be unlucky. I’m usually the opposite of normal people anyway so she’d probably be lucky for me.”

  “So instead of seven, your lucky number is thirteen?” He laughed.

  “Something like that.” I nodded. “Of course that kitten wouldn’t work for you.”

  “Why not?” He sounded a little defensive.

  “Monster is all black. If the kitten fell asleep on Monster, or the other way around, you’d never find the other one. Besides people would think you’re weird. A black lab puppy is cute, but a black cat too. You’ll be the weird guy at the end of the block,” I teased.

  “And you’re sure I’m not already?” he teased back. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

  S
uccess? Was this actually a conversation with the silent Seth? One with humor, teasing, and not pet related. Just then my cell phone buzzed on my hip. “Sorry,” I mouthed as I answered the phone. “Marina here.”

  I heard Nick’s voice on the other line and my whole mode changed. “Hi,” I said. Dare I hoped he’d gotten over his ego and mental trip and would talk to me?

  “Don’t go talking to my sister,” he warned.

  It took me a minute to process that statement. I recovered quickly. “Nick, I don’t know your sister,” I replied honestly.

  “Sure, you don’t. Lori and her were close. I’ll bet Lori told you that. Guess who called the day after you left my garage?”

  “I’m not responsible for your sister calling you,” I said firmly.

  “No? You didn’t get her to nag me about Lori? She tried to guilt me, and fight me, and called me a coward,” he shouted.

  “No,” I said flatly. “I’ve never spoken to your sister. I have no idea who she is. I’m sure she’ll tell you that herself if you just ask.”

  “Of course she’ll stick to your lie. She wants me with Lori. They both wanted sisters and never had them. I’m calling to tell you it won’t work.”

  “How did you get this number?” I asked. Better to change the subject since we were going in circles.

  “Eddie left a copy of your business card in your file for contact information on your mother’s car,” he snapped. “I’m telling you to leave my family alone.”

  “I didn’t do it, Nick. I don’t know your family and don’t want to. And if you act this childishly over a silly phone call I didn’t make in the first place, I’m not entirely sure you’re good enough for Lori.” I hung up the phone and realized Seth was still next to me. “Sorry, my friend’s ex-boyfriend. He’s a little off.”

  “Sure, I understand.” The spark was gone. That playful feel had disappeared.

  All I could do was go back to professional mode. “I’d give Monster soft food for a few days to let the scratch heal and then back to his dry stuff. And only soft treats, no bones or anything hard until then.”

  “Sounds good.”

  I lead the way back to the exam room and Monster was not missing us at all. He was the center of attention. Seth led the puppy out to the front office.

  I stayed in the back and went into the office. I didn’t need any of my co-workers thinking I had a crush on him. The litter of kittens had been a safe way of being alone with him. He’d shown interest. The hospital always preferred to place kittens with clients we knew and had other pets with the right disposition. Monster would be perfect for a feline companion, someone to play with while Seth was at work.

  Seth might already have a girlfriend for all I knew. It definitely wasn’t me. I’d almost gotten a little luck there. Like always, fate intervened. That or fate had kept me from pushing too much and making a fool of myself. Maybe it was better this way.

  Add to that more good news, Nick now thought I was contacting his sister. What would account for that? What would make his sister bring that up now, of all times? I hadn’t gone that far, yet.

  My cell vibrated again. “Marina,” I answered. I was ready to go home and go to bed. Forget dinner, exercise, or anything else. Just start a new day.

  “Marina, it’s Eddie. I’m sorry Nick went ballistic on you.”

  “How did you know?” I asked.

  “I used to date his sister. I called to find out what I could for you and she’s on your side. She thinks Lori is good for Nick. I guess she called Nick up to try and shake him. He stormed in here today and wanted to know how to get in touch with you. It was that or he was going to go through your mother. He was that pissed off.”

  “It’s fine Eddie, thanks for trying. Are you busy tonight?” I asked. I couldn’t believe I was doing this. I told myself it was for Lori. I knew that mechanic had been flirting with me and why not give it a try.

  “Tonight?”

  “Yeah, if you talked to his sister, maybe you can tell me what she knows and what you know. I need to be informed if I’m going to keep playing this insane game.” I rubbed my forehead, not really wanting to go out. This was for Lori’s own good and putting it off wouldn’t make it any easier. Maybe if I did have a little fun of my own I’d be more clearheaded. Five months without a man wasn’t good for my health.

  One more Nick ambush and I might tell him where to go for good. I’d snapped at him and hopefully that would throw him off my ass for a while.

  “I can’t tonight. How about Friday? Lunch? I’m off at eleven so I can meet you wherever.”

  I mentally flipped through my schedule. I had the day off so we could talk as long as needed. “Fine.” I rattled off a place near enough to be convenient and far enough away from the garage to not be a likely drop in place for Nick. Eddie agreed and that was one less thing to worry about. I’d get some more information at least.

  The good news was Nick’s sister was on the right side, even if she’d set off the panic button in Nick a little prematurely. Maybe, once Nick settled down, he’d see his sister’s point. Odds of her reasoning with him were better than mine. I still wasn’t confident.

  Too bad I was having lunch with Eddie and not Seth. Eddie was business, not play. I’d flirt to get what I wanted out of him and forget it.

  Seth was a completely different situation.

  Chapter Seven

  Lori In Denial

  I was growing more and more obsessed with the whole Nick situation and had almost called Marina to cancel. Not that she would have. Not Marina. I didn’t really want her to anyway.

  I couldn't think about what Marina might have found out about Nick. Which naturally meant I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I avoided my own apartment and the memories there. I’d never felt haunted before by working more than necessary.

  Still, I’d left work that Saturday and was back at my apartment before Marina returned home from work. It was her scheduled Saturday—damn her. She'd avoided every subtle attempt I'd made to get information. If I’d been any more direct, she'd know it was eating at me to know Nick’s reaction. Of course, she already knew. I didn’t want to act as though I was desperate. Then I’d have less wiggle room if I couldn’t bring myself to see him again.

  If Marina knew just how much I wanted to know, she’d start in about what I had with Nick and what was I waiting for. I hated it when she was right and the doubt nagged at me continuously.

  Every time I got close to calling him or going to see him, too many times to count in the last week, that sense of panic returned with a vengeance. He hated me, I knew it. I couldn’t stand the idea that he hated me. Neither of us were easygoing or forgiving types.

  I wandered around my apartment for a bit. It was sparsely decorated to say the least. I had expensive things and believed less was more. Unlike Marina's clutter of family photos and knickknacks, I kept it simple. I envied the fact that she had so many happy family memories while I preferred to forget mine.

  I changed into a more casual outfit of sweats with the Northwestern emblem on them and matching socks. Then I circled my living room, avoiding what I wanted to do. The memories called to me. I had to resist. There was no use in torturing myself with it.

  Eventually I’d give in.

  I checked my mail, the answering machine, personal emails, and even tossed out some of the gross stuff in my refrigerator. It wasn’t distracting me.

  Finally, I headed to my antique roll top desk and unlocked the bottom drawer. I reached in and removed the mementos. I sat on the floor cross-legged and carefully put the contents of the drawer in my lap.

  One picture of Nick and I framed. His sister had taken it the day after I passed the bar and we were out celebrating. She’d given it to me even after I'd broken up with Nick, only days after that celebration. She was the sister I wanted, but I'd felt too guilty to even call and thank her when the card with the picture arrived in my mail.

  Next was a stainless steel chain with a medical aler
t medallion hanging from it. Nick was allergic to various things and I’d ordered it for him.

  We’d been out to dinner one night and his throat started to close up after eating something that contained shellfish. It’d been a scary night in the ER. Getting him the necklace was the best solution I could come up with. That way I wouldn’t worry every time he ate without me.

  He’d worn it for a few months and one night it'd disappeared. Six months later, after we’d broken up, I found it behind my headboard. He’d gotten a replacement right away because I nagged him. Keeping the first one had been an odd impulse. I’d just wanted it.

  My fingers clutched the cheap metal until I felt the heat of his chest in it. I could still see it on him. I was losing my mind. This cheap piece of metal meant more to me than my entire jewelry collection.

  The rest of my jewelry was real, expensive, and some was antique. This was worth nothing. But, I couldn't get rid of it. I flipped through the other pictures of me and Nick on the shore of Lake Michigan, in his garage, and one picture I’d snapped of him naked. No one had ever seen that one.

  The rest was a less interesting mix of movie stubs, concert tickets, and other treasures from our various outings. The silly teddy bear he’d won for me at Navy Pier was always on my bed. I’d forgotten how many lies I’d told people on its origin to cover it up being from Nick.

  Suddenly I piled it all back in the drawer, slammed it shut and locked it. I couldn't take it anymore. Fighting back tears and frustration, I refused to allow myself to dig into the back of my closet and pull out the sweatshirt he'd leant me one night when I was cold. He'd never get it back. It was my bottom, if I pulled it out I'd truly have hit bottom.

  I collected myself and decided to head over to Jen's rather than be alone with my own thoughts. If I didn’t change my direction now, I’d never go over there. I’d spend a depressed night alone. Drinking with friends was better than getting drunk alone.