Finding Joy

CHAPTER 14: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Joy's Saturday mornings were usually quiet. She sat on the edge of her windowsill, alone, with a fresh cup of coffee. But today, she had a friend to talk to. On the other side of the windowsill was Celer, who was perched on a rock in his new aquarium. She felt awkward at first, talking to an animal about her life since it felt like she was talking to herself. But a few minutes in she got used to it and told him anything and everything. Time flew by and her phone alarm went off. It was 6:30 am and it was time for her to leave for work. But before she left, she made a call to MyPet'sSmart to schedule an appointment for Celer, as he looked weak and his injury needed to be checked.

She arrived at the front of the hospital a few minutes later than usual, so she was in a hurry. She turned around the corner and- "Ow!"

"I'm so sorry, excuse me- Oh! Joy, I was looking for you!"

"Oh, hey, Dr. Riley. I heard the appointment with Mr. Owen went well."

"It did, thanks to you."

"Oh, no, it's really nothing."

"Anyways, I looked into the-"

Joy knew what she was going to say, so she clasped her hand over her mouth. She shushed her, reminding her co-worker that they decided to keep "it" a secret from the other employees. Joy released her hand and Dr. Riley took in a big sigh of relief. She updated Joy on "it" and how far they had gotten. She explained that they were at a dead end and would need input from another source. But, once again, Joy clasped her hand over Dr. Riley's mouth and told her that they would talk about it later and not out in the open. She nodded her head and left without saying another word.

Just after, Joy saw Edan walking in her direction. She still felt awkward about what happened yesterday, so she pretended not to see him and turned around to leave. Even so, Edan's sharp eyes caught her first.

"Joy!"

She sighed and turned back around. "Oh, hey Edan. I didn't see you there."

He walked her to the lab and, on the way, apologized again for making her feel uncomfortable during the festival. The second half of the walk was silent and awkward; it had to be broken.

"Celer-" they both said at the same time.

Edan let Joy finish. "I'm going to bring Celer to the vet at lunch. It'll be tight, but do you want to come?"

"I don't think that's possible. The drive from here, to your house, to the vet, and back would be- no even without including-"

"Calm down. I'll let you on in a little secret."

Joy usually uses the main entrance and greets the staff at the desks. In order to avoid suspicion, she took this usual path after entering and coming back out through the back of her lab wing. She arrived at the hospital a little earlier than usual and snuck the turtle box into her office. By the time Lily and Nick arrived, she had already circled around.

"Oh!" Lily said in a high pitched voice as she ran over to the baby turtle. "What's Celery doing here?"

Nick walked over and put his hand on Lily's shoulder. "Actually his name is Celer. It's ironic considering that it means-"

"No one cares, Nick. Anyways, Joy, what's he doing here?"

Joy put her finger over her lips to shush the two. "It's a secret, ok? The vet said they had an opening today at one because someone cancelled, but I don't have enough time to take a detour. What else am I supposed to do? The poor little guy looks like he's about to pass out."

"Aw, poor baby." says Lily. "Can I come?"

"Sure, Edan's coming too."

"Really now? Actually, I changed my mind. You two have fun!"

Nick giggles. "It's like mommy and dad-"

Lily slaps her hand over Nick's mouth and reminds him not to bring that up. They should just let things play out naturally. They could only cross their fingers and rely on luck and fate in hopes that Joy can take another step forward to move on. Giving her more time alone with Edan just might do the trick. However, it was inevitable that they would run into another bump; they had jinxed it.

The man who cancelled his appointment for his Chow Chow dog showed up at the time slot he gave up to Joy. He argued that he had a change in schedule and wanted to have his time slot back. He walked up to her and pushed her shoulders. She stumbled back and lost her grip on the turtle box. The box flew up and, at the same time, the lid opened; Celer was sent flying as well. Luckily, Joy lunged forward just in the nick of time and caught him before he hit the ground. The man didn't realise how hard he had pushed her and sincerely apologized. He bent down to pick up the purse she dropped and brushed off the water. He tried to hand her the purse, but Edan intercepted. He grabbed the it and kicked the man in the stomach, who then fell backwards and landed on his behind. He tried to get up, but Edan stepped on his chest and pinned him down. The Chow Chow started barking, but immediately laid down and whimpered when it made eye contact with Edan.

Joy put Celer back in his box and yelled, "Edan! Why, just- why?"

"Why- not?"

She pulled him off of the man and apologized. He ran off with his Chow Chow as soon as he pulled himself up. She scolded Edan one last time, and then told him to wait outside while she went into the vet's room alone. The vet warned her if she and her boyfriend ever caused a ruckus again they would be refused service. Joy, again, apologised and tried to explain that they weren't dating but she would still try to keep him on a leash. When the appointment was finished she came out and Edan offered to carry Celer's box. But, of course, Joy refused and told him to be quiet and to get into the car.

They drove back to the hospital with a solid five minutes left until her next shift would start. Lily and Nick had just finished their lunches and bumped into them on their way back. As Lily and Nick stole the turtle box and fawned over Celer, Edan spotted two men at the front desk asking for Joy. The front desk lady pointed at her and they turned around and walked towards her. When Edan saw their faces, he was shocked. He looked down on Joy's purse and there was a small wireless tracker button stuck on the botton. The man with the chow chow earlier must have stuck it on there. They must have been working together. He ripper it off and then stormed over and punched one of them, sending him flying and knocking over the pens and counter cards behind him. The patients and staff were shocked. Some gasped and some shrieked, but they all backed away.

Edan grabbed him by the collar and yelled, "What are you doing here-". He was cut off when someone grabbed onto his arm and tried to pull him away. However, he was so consumed by anger that he instinctively, and aggressively, jerked his arm free. The force knocked them backwards.

"Ah!"

Edan froze. He looked down and saw Joy on the floor. He released the man and tried to apologise to her, but, before he could, Joy stood up, grabbed his ear, and pulled him away from the crowd.

"What did I just tell you?"

"No, you don't understand. They-"

"Stop- just, stop. Did you ever notice how aggressive you are? You're so impulsive, you always have your guard up, and you're scaring everyone! Did something happen to you in the past? Is there something you need to tell me?"

"What? N- no."

Joy sighs, "Ok, let me start over. You can't keep acting like this. It's going to be really hard to keep your job if this continues."

"But-"

"No buts. Listen, you haven't really talked much with your co-workers, have you?"

"No, why?"

"Well, it'll make your life a lot easier if you get closer with your acquaintances. Maybe even make some friends."

"Friends? Why should I make-"

"Just- give it a try, ok? Don't get mad at me when I beat you into shape tomorrow. It's for your own good. Trust me."

As Joy hurries off to the lab, Edan thinks to himself. "Maybe I'll trust her on this one." Then, he went back to the lobby, but the two men were gone. "Shoot."