Angel Hospital

Chapter 5

Uncle Jackson follows me into the dining room and takes his seat at the head of the table. I sit a few chairs down on the right side.

Only two other people are still eating, and they happen to be sitting on either side of the chair across from me. 

I make myself a plate and dig in, ignoring the looks I get from the boys on the other side of the table.

I hear Uncle J clear his throat. "Are you ready for school next week?"

I peek up at him to find his attention on his sons. I breathe a sigh of relief. 

Khan shrugs. Kane tries to play it cool like his brother but is clearly excited.
And why wouldn't he be? He's a varsity jock, based on the letterman jacket draped over the back of his chair and the awards Uncle J keeps bragging about. And popular, since he subtly flinches every few seconds, probably from a vibrating cellphone.

Khan is a bit harder to read, but if I had to hazard a guess, I'd say he's glad to have some kind of routine and something to do. He's been a bit bored, judging from the slightly glazed look in his eyes.

All simple hypotheses until they're proven wrong or right.

"Gonna try out for football and basketball again?" Uncle Jackson directs his question to Kane this time.

Kane puts on a practiced, charming smile. "Of course. I think I will focus more on football this year though. And my schoolwork, naturally."

Uncle Jackson seems satisfied with that answer and turns to Khan.

"Well? Any plans for your junior year?" 

"School, work, that's it." Khan says nonchalantly, shrugging.

My eyebrows raise a fraction of an inch before going back to normal.
I knew Keegan had a job but I didn't know Khan did. I shouldn't be surprised though, they're a lot alike.

I finish my sandwich and fruit, and bring my plate to the kitchen to load in the dishwasher.

As I turn to leave, I see both Khan and Kane silently bringing their dishes to the sink.

My mood lifts a little as I head to work.

*********

When we finish all the repairs for the day, it's almost dinner time.

I pack up Ptera's stuff; her water dish, her bed, her toys, her food, etc. Dave looks on, perplexed, before he seems to understand.

"You finally got permission to bring the mutt home with you?"

Ptera lifts her head from where she was laying down and lets out a bark that sounds almost indignant. I simply nod, still packing. 

Dave shakes his head. "About time we got that mutt out of here." 
He almost whispers, "And into a real home." 

I shake my head as he still tries to act like he doesn't care about her, and stand. I grab the duffel bag containing Ptera's stuff, sling my own bag over my shoulder, and pick up Ptera's leash. I clip it to her collar, and lead her to the ATV. 

I put the bags into a small trailer, that I had hooked up to the four wheeler before I left the house after lunch; leaving a small blanketed area open. I unclip her leash and signal for Ptera to jump into the trailer, and she obeys. I signal for her to lie down, and give everything a once over when she does. 

When I'm satisfied everything's in place, I hope into the seat and start the careful drive back to Uncle J's house.

**