this phantom pain might not be so farfetched {JC x LXC} {Xicheng}

Untitled Part 2

~10 years later~

A woman taps the toe of her worn chestnut heel, the leather slowly peeling. Shifting in the stiff seat, she clutches her purse on her lap, the logo hand-stitched into the side faded by the simple fact it's accessory frequently reached for throughout the years. Her gradually greying hair, pearly ombre in the bright light is pulled back into a french twist, any stray hairs having been sprayed down before departing this morning. Her knee length tweed coat is Chanel, a lucky find at the local consignment shop one Sunday afternoon; none the wiser on this side of town able to tell it was steal of a discount.

The girl manning the front desk flips through a magazine, the two buns atop her head like ears moving from side to side as she tilts her head this way and that. The pink bubble blooming between her pouty lips, popped in the next second as she continues to chew loudly. The waiting room area is a few chairs around a low table, taken up by wrinkled magazines that have been picked up by one too many hands.

Finally, the double doors leading to the back open with a grating squeal and the lady in the waiting room perks up, delighted by the sight of the young man who pulls down his surgical mask, revealing his handsome face. "Madam Feng, you can come on back now."

At the invitation, the woman jumps to her feet, anxiously smoothing down her coat. She then steps through the entry while he politely holds the door open for her, the two of them proceeding down the hallway, walking side by side, her heels clicking against the tiled floor.

"How did the surgery go, doctor? Did you she do alright?" the mature woman inquires, hoping there wasn't too much trouble.

"It went just fine, mam. Within a few days, she should be back on her feet, running around," the doctor informs, the prognosis easing the rigidness from her petite frame.

They reach another door that he pushes open, allowing her to scurry inside the small operating room first. She makes a soft, wounded noise, hurrying to the patient's side and gently touching their leg. "My brave baby, you did so well. Mommy is here, did you miss me?" She does not even appear put out when she doesn't receive a response.

Behind her, the man represses an involuntary snort, and instead proceeds to bend down at the head of the bed, right at the patient's eye level. Said patient leans her head back and proceeds to lick his face, drawing a chuckle from the usually grumpy man.

He reaches up and scratches between her floppy ears. "Yes, you're good girl, aren't you?"

Madam Feng watches the scene adoringly, hand on her fluttering heart and wishing she was twenty years younger. "Oh Dr. Cheng you have such a way with animals. Most people seemed to be scared of Daisy because of her size, when she's only ever been the sweetest darling, I assure you."

Dr. Cheng rises to his feet, sighing regretfully. "Unfortunately, there's great deal of misconceptions about pit bulls out there." He offers the dog a chin scratch that has her rumbling contently, wagging her stubby tail. "And we both know, a mean dog more often than not means a cruel owner."

She humphs with a pinched frown, dripping her head in stern agreement. Both parties are of the mutual opinion that if someone isn't ready to provide adequate for an animal, including the virtues of patience and unconditional love, then they shouldn't be entertaining the idea of owning one. The numerous barks and meows from cages just down the hall, bragging a full occupancy shows just how many in the city are ill prepared to take responsibility for their whims.

"Will she be needing any medication? Vaccinations?" she probes, trying to restrict any wariness from leaking into her voice. Things these days just start adding up so fast.