Page 74 of Only Fate

Like when someone who’s been gone from a long trip finally comes home.

The exam room is chilly with bright white walls. Posters, educating about heartworm and the importance of flea medicine for pets, decorate the walls.

“He’s an old dog,” Adrian rasps. “What if he doesn’t make it, Essie?”

“From the stories you’ve told me, Tucker’s a fighter. He’ll pull through this and be home soon.”

Foster walks in, interrupting us. “Tucker suffered a hip fracture, and we’re prepping him for surgery. We’re always cautiouswhen administrating anesthesia to dogs his age, but I promise, he’s in good hands.”

I trust Foster. He received recognition as one of the top veterinary surgeons in the state this year. His uncle, on his mom’s side, owns the animal hospital and the one in Anchor Ridge. Foster alternates between the two.

“Can I see him before?” Adrian asks.

Foster smiles. “Of course.”

Foster leads us to a surgical room, where the vet techs are preparing Tucker for surgery.

He’s sedated, lying peacefully on the table. The vet techs move back a step, giving us space. Adrian blows out a series of breaths, and his eyes are wet.

“You’ll be okay, boy,” he soothingly tells Tucker. “And when you get home, I’ll give you all the treats you want.” He strokes Tucker’s head before giving it a kiss.

I pet Tucker, feeling his heavy breath against my palm.

“I’ll take good care of him.” Foster clasps Adrian on the back.

A blonde vet tech escorts us back to the exam room, and we sit there quietly for a few minutes.

Minutes that feel like hours, honestly.

Adrian slumps forward. “Tucker was my father’s dog’s puppy. I saw him as a piece of my father I never had. Now, I might lose him too.” His voice breaking crushes my heart.

He sits back, and I kick off my heels, making myself comfortable.

“Will you tell me about your father?”

“My mom said he was the funniest person she knew, but he lost all his humor when he got sick. I guess that’s to be expected.” He sighs. “She said she prayed every night that he’d live long enough to meet me, to have at least one day as a father. He died two days before I was born.”

“Even if you didn’t get to meet in person, he loved you.”

“No, he didn’t.”

I flinch, waiting for him to explain.

He doesn’t.

I want to ask more questions, but don’t.

He can choose which scars to bleed open for me.

I, too, have a habit of hiding mine.

Lowering my head, I rest it on his shoulder.

Adrian clears his throat. “Do you remember the night we studied in my car for twelve straight hours, drinking only coffee and eating snacks?”

I smile at the memory. “Even though we technically didn’t need each other to study, you being there was a comfort.”

“I feel that same way right now. You’re my comfort. Thank you for this.”

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