Farm veterinarian Andrew Reyes has never been interested in a woman as more than a friend, and when he does, a curse placed upon him on the day of his baptism will change his life.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I wince at the feeling of tiny nails in my leg. Coffee is currently using me as a scratching post. I grab the little kitten and place him on my desk.
"Dude, we had this conversation before. Clawing me is not necessary. If you are hungry, a 'meow' is sufficient,"
The brown kitty's attention goes to my pen and starts playing with it. I stand up and grab a can of food from the sample cupboard and serve him a portion.
I found Coffee outside my apartment building. I estimate that he must be around three months old. He was dirty and dehydrated. I brought him to the practice and gave him some water. He drank it like a lost man in a desert.
In the last week, he has adopted me quicker than I did. I have kept an eye for any mother cats in the neighborhood but no luck yet in finding his family. I'm secretly hoping that no one claims him as I'm getting attached to him.
"Dr. Reyes, here are the files of your next patients," says the practice assistant.
I browse through the files and ask her to send me the first patient. A little girl comes inside with a carrier followed by her dad. She is sniffling. I look inside the carrier to see the pup asleep on a towel.
"What is going on with Fred?" I ask her, remembering the name from the file.
"He fell," the girl says and tears start running down her cheeks.
The father comforts her but looks worried.
"Fred took an unfortunate tumble down the stairs. He doesn't move much," he says.
I open the top part of the carrier and take Fred out as carefully as I can. His eyes are open, and he gives me a small lick on my hand. I start examining him, and as my hand caresses his back leg, he let out a low growl.
"I think that was a clear sign of distress. Let's make some x-rays,"
I bring the little patient to the room, and some minutes later, I have the confirmation of what is bothering him.
"He has a broken leg. It is a clean fracture. He is in plenty of pain, but he will be alright," I say, and the girl smiles while the dad looks relieved. "Well little friend, let's patch you,"
I give the dog some anesthetics and immobilize his leg.
"Here," I say, putting a few dog treats on the girl's hand. "These are magical cookies. If you give them to Fred and let him rest, he will get better very soon,"
Fred's owner gives me a hug and after a few recommendations to the father, I send the pup home. I call for the next patient. A gorgeous woman enters the room, and my dorky side resurfaces.
"Ah... hi... eh... how can I help?"
"Jewel needs her shots, and she has a bald spot on her belly," the woman says.
I check on the file and get two syringes. Coffee meows loudly. I think that he approves of the lady on the examination table. Precocious kitty.
"Aren't you adorable?" the woman says to my kid while caressing him.
I finish the injections and check on Jewel's fur. Stressed cats lick their skin raw.
"Do you have a change in your house situation? You have a distressed cat here,"
"I'm moving back to my hometown. The apartment is full of moving boxes. She is probably reacting to that," Jewel's owner says.
She then stares at me and her eyes widen.
"Egg guy!" she says with delight.
There is only one person that has ever called me like that... Veronica.
"I'm sorry Dr. Reyes. It's surprising to meet you again,"
Veronica and I saw each other plenty in college, but our interaction was limited to a nod. Soon she started hanging out with the cool crowds, and as I predicted, I became one more face in the hallway. I find it amusing that she recognizes me. There is little left of the kid from ten years ago.
"You have... changed. In a good way," Veronica says. "Is there a Mrs. Reyes in the picture?"
She gazes around the room as if looking for clues.
"No. I'm single," I say with a shrug.
"Unbelievable," she says, putting her hand on my chest. "Dating?"
"No," I say, taking a step back. The behavior is making me a bit uncomfortable. "Jewel should be okay after the moving period finishes. In the meantime, I will give her a lotion that should heal her skin,"
"Thank you, doctor. What a shame about the dating," she says, placing Jewel in her carrier. "In case you change your mind," Veronica says, handing me a business card.
Veronica leaves and I sit with a huff on my desk chair. There are two other vets in this practice, and I have the luck to get her appointment. A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts.
"What are you doing here?" I say as I open the door. My Aunt Maria holds me in a tight hug.
"I came to bring you home," she says. There is sadness in her eyes.
"Home? Why?" I say, feeling worried. "Are Mom and Dad okay? My aunts?"
"They are all okay, but we need your help. Something is going on at the farm. The animals are getting sick,"
"Did you call a vet?" I say concerned.
"I'm calling on one right now,"
I look at my aunt who is usually a ray of sunshine and see the worry in her eyes.
"Okay, I haven't had a vacation in forever. Let me talk with my boss,"
I head to Dr. Wright's office and explain the situation. He is a country boy just like me and understands the urgency. I'm allowed to take four weeks of vacation to help my aunts.
I grab Coffee and the things that I will need. After a stop at my apartment to pack, I head together with my aunt to the farm.
"You are here!" says my Aunt Fleur, giving me a bone crushing hug.
"It has been too long! Your parents see you more often than we do," Aunt Fay adds.
"They know that you are here and will come to visit soon," Aunt Maria says.
"A kitten!" Aunt Fay says as I open the carrier.
"My son. His name is Coffee,"
My aunts coo and caress my tiny boy, and it feels good to be home again.
