Sherry
My world has crashed around me several times before in life, and I’ve never allowed it to get me down like this. I called June this morning using the excuse that I had an adverse reaction to some shellfish last night for dinner, and that my face was swollen. After a few words, she agreed that I needed to stay home and that she would get someone else to work with Mr. McBride. Yes, I understand that this will be a huge impact on my bank account, and I’m fine with that. I’m not going to sell my soul to the Devil in order to grow the amount of money in my net worth. The next call I need to make is one that I’ve been putting off for years. I know I need to do this, but it’s been a part of my life for so many years that I’ll need to find something new to take up my free time. See, that’s what I do. I find things to take my mind off life. The real reasons why I hide behind the shelter and animals that might kill me one day. It’s time that I face the facts of life. My body hates animals, and the impact has been greater than I thought. If I want to move on and do what I love, I have to find the courage to walk away from all the things that I consider my comfort zone.
I dial the shelter’s number and wait for Lucy to answer the phone.
“Dade County Animal Shelter, how may I direct your call?”
“Lucy, it’s Sherry; do you have a minute?”
“Hi, Sherry, how are you and I always have a moment for you,” she says, and I can picture her smiling on the other end of the call. Well, that is until I tell her why I’m calling.
“I’m doing okay, you know me…” I hesitate, taking my time as I question if this is the best thing to do. Knowing this is right, I continue. “I wanted to call and let you know that I’m not coming back. I can’t volunteer anymore, as it’s not good for my health. I hope you won’t be mad and if you need someone to come help until you find a replacement I can.”
“Honey, how could I be upset with you? I’ve been waiting for this call for years. I knew one day you would wake up and know that this place wasn’t doing you any good. You lasted longer than I expected. We all thought that we’d eventually have to dismiss you, but I never had it in me to do that.”
“So you aren’t mad?”
“No, I’m tickled pink that you finally woke up.”
“Okay, good but I also need a favor, if you can?”
“Anything for you, what can I help you with?”
“I need to find a home for Mr. Tinkerbell and Ms. Peter Pan,” I say through a sob as this is breaking my heart.
“Would it make you feel better if I took them? I know how much they mean to you, and I’d be honored to become their new mom.”
“Yes, I would love for you to have them. That means so much to me, Lucy.”
“I’ll come by this evening and pick them up when I get off.”
“I’ll have them packed up and ready to go. Thank you, Lucy, for everything, and I appreciate you saving my babies.”
“Anytime, dear. I’ll see you later this evening,” she says before disconnecting our call. I glance over toward the cat bed that’s in the corner and take in the way they are both curled up sleeping together. I knew if I ever had to find them a home, they’d need to go together. They aren’t really brother and sisters, but they’ve been with me and act as if they were born and raised together. My heart is full that they will be going to a good home, but then it’s breaking at the same time as my fur babies have to go on a new adventure.
I tend to stuff around the apartment for the rest of the day, trying to take my mind off my life. You hear about how people hire life coaches, and I wonder to myself if that’s what I need. Do I need someone to categorize my life in a box and shape me into the person that I should be? Years ago, I knew exactly who I was. I knew who I wanted to be and what would make me proud of myself later in life. So far, I’m twenty-five-years-old, single, have a job that I hate, and a diploma hanging on my wall to remind me of a life I used to want.
The sound of the front door closes, alerting me that Ava has returned home. I stall a little longer in front of my diploma, waiting for something to come to me.
“Whatcha doing?” Ava asks as she enters my room and heads straight to my bed and plops down.
“Nothing, just thinking. Oh, I need your help tonight; will you be here?”
“I have dinner with Rex, but can reschedule if you need me to.”
“No, you go to dinner. I can do this alone,” I say, shrugging and laying down next to Ava while we both roll to our backs and stare up at the ceiling fan.
“What are you doing tonight?” she asks.
“Packing up my babies and meeting Lucy downstairs. Nothing major and I can do it, so don’t worry.”
“I do worry about you, and are you sure you’re ready to hand them over.”
“I am, and it’s easier since I know she’ll take care of them. Plus, she’ll send me texts and Snapchats of them.”
“Are you telling me Grandma Lucy is more up on technology than you are?’
“She is, she’s the one who taught me how to do the filters. She also sends some very strange videos with those filters, but that’s why we all love her.”
“True… So, why were you staring at your wall?”
“No reason, just thinking is all.”
“Okay, but you do know you can re-take your test, right?”
“Yes, I know I can, but it’s been so long that I’d never pass it even if I stayed awake this time.”
“Study, and do it. I know you, and I also know that if you put your mind to it, you will pass it. Get him out of your head and start following your dreams. Make the call you know you need to, and do it.”
“We will see, now scoot and go get ready for your date. I have some packing to do.”
“Alright, but remember I’m only a call away.”
“I know, and that’s why I love you. Thank you for putting up with my crazy behavior and insane life.”
“Always, plus who the hell would entertain me in life?”
“Ha, funny—now go,” I say, pushing her out of my room.
When Ava leaves my bedroom, I head over to my closet digging in the back of it for the dual carrier I have, and I slide out the flattened cubby holder on the top shelf. I set about packing up the toys, snacks, and food that I have for them. I text Lucy to see if she needs the litter and box just in case, but her response was just hand over the pussies. Okay, that might have caused me to laugh harder than I needed at her statement. But you have to understand she is old enough to be my grandmother. I can’t imagine mine ever cracking a joke like that or using that word. Taking the next hour before she arrives, I grab both Mr. Tinkerbell and Ms. Peter Pan for a snuggle. It’s like they know what’s coming and are using this time to show me the love they have for me in return. It doesn’t take long before the tears start to slide down my face. They’re going to a better home, one where they never have to worry about causing someone else an allergic reaction, and can cuddle whenever they want with their new owner. Unlike the life they’ve had with me here. On days that I couldn’t handle it I’d either have to lock them away from me so I could come back down from my reaction. It wasn’t fair to them, and the more I sit here with them I’m now confident that this is the best choice. My phone vibrates next to me, and when I chance a look I see that it’s Lucy telling me she’s just parked. Instead of making her come up here, I slide them inside the dual carrier that I have and grab the box that I packed away their things in. The elevator ride seems to take a century to reach the lobby. When the doors open, I come face to face with the last person I wanted to see today—Greyson.
“Here, let me help you,” he says, taking the box from my arm.
“No, it’s fine. I can do this myself.”
“Stop, Sherry, and let me help you. Where are you going?”
“Whatever, I’m not in the mood to argue with you, and I’m meeting someone out in the lobby,” I spit out as I leave a trail of dust in my wake. I don’t bother to turn around; I can hear his footsteps behind me.
My eyes land on Lucy coming through the door, and as hard I try to make my smile reach my eyes it doesn’t happen. The quicker I can get this done, the faster I can retreat back upstairs and wallow in self-pity more.
“Sherry, dear, come here,” Lucy says with wide arms, and before I can blink my feet take me to her open arms. Over the years, I’ve come accustomed to her hugs and embrace them when I can.
“I promise to take good care of them; you know that, right,” she asks, and I nod my head into my chest as I agree. I step back taking a look inside the tiny door where my babies are staring back at me with their emerald green eyes. “You guys be good for Mrs. Lucy, and I’ll see you soon,” I say before handing them over. Greyson clears his throat from behind me, alerting us both that he’s still here.
“Lucy, this is Greyson Davis, he’s a neighbor who helped me bring this over,” I say, introducing him with no emotion in my voice. I have no idea why he didn’t drop the box and run. I’m capable of doing this alone and don’t need an audience.
“Pleasure to meet you. I’ll just follow you out to your car and drop this stuff off.”
“Oh the pleasure is mine, and I don’t mind the help at all,” Lucy says, smiling up at Greyson. It’s like he just has all the ladies dropping at his feet. Well, that’s until they drop their pants. Then he runs for the hills in terror. Okay, that’s not fair because I ran in terror when I looked in the mirror. It was bad, and for that reason, I’ll never allow him to see that area again.
“Thanks, Lucy, and I’ll call you soon,” I say, giving her a quick hug. Turning, I look up at Greyson and with a nod of my head at him, I walk away. I’m not ready to face him, nor speak to him unless I have to. Just because we live in the same apartment building doesn’t mean I have to be buddy, buddy with him.
Retreating back upstairs, I decide to clean the entire apartment—removing all pet remnants before drawing a bubble bath to relax and reflect on my next plan of action.