Prohibited Devotion

Two

She left the room as the notification of the results flashed upon her screen. In the warmth of her own office she studied each result, a deep sigh escaped her lips. She hated it when the results weren't as good as she hoped. 

She printed the piece of paper containing the results and walked back into the room. Carolyn had moved to Coco's side, comforting her lightly.

Derek was staring and making it very obvious as he did. Derek wasn't one usually for scouting a girl. He would usually go to a bar, fuck in an alley or hotel room not paying much attention to who he was doing. 

But this blonde had something about her, he wasn't sure what it was. He hadn't even spoken to her but something made him want to know more.

"I have the results"Meredith could see the worry in Carolyn's eyes.

"Oh dear"Carolyn looked defeated.

"No, I think its something I can fix for you. Her white cell count is elevated and I did notice a small lump at the back of her mouth. With your permission I would like to take her for a scan. If it's a tumor I can book her in for an emergency removal. Now Do you have a regular vet?"Meredith asked. Carolyn shook her head. "In that case I will give you this to read over, it's a membership here. The monthly amount covers anything and everything she needs" Meredith's voice was warm and gentle, nothing compared to her father. 

"But sweetie, 100 dollars a months doesn't even cover half of what she would need"Carolyn looked confused more than anything.

"For me that is the entire point. When I created this place it was with one goal, affordable treatment. I don't see myself as a selfish person like my parents and brother. Making animals better and making the owners happy makes my work worth it"Carolyn didn't know what came over her, she pulled Meredith into the tightest hug.

"I would like to take out more of these, I have 3 dogs, 8 cats, 4 horses, 7 chickens and 4 goats"Carolyn took a small breath. Meredith looked in awe and shock. She handed Carolyn the papers and sheets. discussed the packages and how for the chickens and goats it would be 100 dollars that covered all 7 chickens and goats. She told them about the horse box she converted to have a scanner within and how she had a van that carried all the supplies she needed as well as having horse transport. 

She left them in discussion as she took the long haired german shepherd to the scanning room. She couldn't help but envy the relationship between Derek and Carolyn. 

She wished her mother had been like that with her but Ellis had always been for three things, her job, her husband and her son.

She acted as though her daughter didn't exist, just as David did. Meredith hadn't done anything wrong except choose to live a life she desired.  

Her strongest memory of her mother being the harsh slap around the face when Meredith announced at 18 that she was moving to Boston for college. She only came back to Seattle to spend time with her nanna. Darcey Blossom was the kindest woman, she was Ellis' mother however she didn't raise her. Darcey and her husband divorced when their daughter was 10, he took Ellis. Ellis never turned back.

Ellis had always been disappointed in her daughter, for not selling herself, for not being violent, for not knowing how to hold a gun, for not wanting to be a part of the family business.  Meredith only had negative memories of them.

She pushed back her thoughts and conducted the scan, ignoring the light tears that threatened her eyes. 

Once the scan was completed she took Coco back the the consultation room.

"The scans will just take a few minutes to send through" She faked a smile, a facade obvious. Carolyn stepped out for a call leaving Derek and Meredith in the room.