Clockwork [final]

Fifteen

In their haste to get away, they had completely forgotten about Benson. Fortunately, he seemed to be fine when they got home, although perhaps a little shaken. He must have slipped in the door while they weren’t paying attention; he was lying on the carpet in the living room and staring glumly at Lassie’s chair.  

“Oh, the poor thing is worried about her,” Adette said quietly, “Poor Benson, you’re so upset!” She sat down next to him and seemed to find comfort in fussing over him.

Although Derek doubted that it was Benson who was most worried, he opted to stay silent. He sat down with his hands clasped in front of him, trying to work out how to deal with the situation. He felt some minor degree of concern for Lassie, but mostly he felt concern for Adette and the effect it would have on her if she decided to put her down. Even though they’d only had Lassie for a few days, it was clear that the dog had already won her heart.

“Your last name is Winters?” he said eventually, not really interested but attempting to get her mind off of the day’s events. Unfortunately, his attempt failed. She only shrugged, flat out rejecting his gesture.

“I don’t know what to do, Derek,” she wailed abruptly, “Do you think it’ll make life awful for her if she’s missing a leg?”

“Well,” he said gruffly, “She might get arthritis when she’s older, but it shouldn’t make an awful lot of difference. I’m sure she’ll be fine missing a leg.”

Adette rubbed her face. “I just don’t want her to be in pain.”

Derek considered for a moment. “Maybe we should look it up to see what the possible consequences of the operation are.”

Adette lit up at the suggestion and dashed off to the laboratory. By the time Derek caught up with her, she was already booting up the computer and drumming her fingers impatiently on the desk.

He came and stood beside her while she stared intently at the loading screen. His gaze drifted from the screen to her face, absently staring at the reflection of the screen in her glasses. She started up the internet browser and irritably tapped a foot. Unfortunately, her computer was sluggish- probably because it was old, judging by the amount of dust on the screen- and her internet connection wasn’t the fastest. After what seemed an eternity, it finally loaded and Adette searched “limb amputation in dogs”.

Time slipped by and Adette remained glued to the screen. Even though he could hardly keep his eyes open, Derek refused to leave her side. She’d been there for him when he needed her, and now he was determined to do the same. At last, she simply stood up and left.

He blearily gazed after her for a moment before heaving himself to his feet and stumbling after her. He searched the house and eventually found her face down on the bed in her room.

“Adette?” he whispered uncertainly, “Are you asleep?”

“Of course not, you idiot,” she grumbled, her voice muffled by the duvet.

“Sheesh,” he muttered, walking over and flopping on the bed next to her, “I do apologize for checking.”

She ignored him, rolling over and staring at the ceiling. “It sounds like there’s no serious complication to amputation. Sometimes, the dog doesn’t even know that the limb is gone.  So, I guess I wouldn’t be being cruel keeping her alive,” she said with a heavy sigh.

“Well, maybe you can make her a prosthetic leg,” Derek suggested timidly.

Her eyes lit up at the suggestion. “You’re right! I could!”

He smiled, a flicker of relief passing across his face. “But first you should sleep.”

Adette looked ready to protest, but it appeared her realization of how tired she really was won over because she sighed, closed her eyes and wriggled closer to him, burying her face in his chest. His eyes flittered open in surprise, but after a moment he relaxed, wrapping an arm around her and settling down to sleep.