Oliver
IT’S SUMMER IN the city, and normally a long walk with Louise in the Park clears the cobwebs. Stori has joined us, but it doesn’t change my mood. Not today. We’re in the most famous patch of urban greenery, the “lungs” of New York. But it’s not the army of dog walkers, the rustling branches of the trees or her fine ass that holds my attention. I’m too pissed. At me.
“If I find out Piper’s behind this it’ll be the end of our relationship,” I say and mean.
The look on Stori’s face says she’s afraid I’m even considering that option. It’s been just a few days since she told me what happened at Whiskey River, but it’s been simmering in my mind ever since. I may have mentioned to Piper in passing that Stori was going to buy the property. There’s no may have about it. I remember saying it. I was a proud man bragging about his girlfriend. It’s possible she tried to score a few points with daddy, and I point that out to my surprisingly calm girlfriend.
“The man’s an important developer, Oliver. He doesn’t need his daughter to give him real estate tips.”
“But the timing would have given him an advantage. You underestimate the woman, and her issues.”
She wraps her arm through mine. “I’m going to make my case to Abbott tonight. If he balks, I’m prepared to make my offer sweeter. I’m pre-approved for the appraised value, and more. If I thought it’d help I’d tell him about how long I’ve dreamed and planned. But that would be a mistake.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want him to know how much it means. It could be used against me. Besides, I don’t think this guy gives a rat’s ass about my hopes and dreams.”
“Well, I do. And they better not have been ruined by my big mouth.”
We spend the next few hours lying on the grassy hill surrounding the lake. Louise is entertained by the sun worshippers and boaters, ducks and the occasional peacock strutting his stuff. This is the sort of New York afternoon that you see in movies. It has a calming effect. All three of us fall asleep and don’t wake till Louise barks us back to reality. She’s found something to chew on and it’s frustrating her with its toughness. Stori lifts an arm in the air and checks the time.
“Damn, I’ve got to head back.”
“What time’s your meeting?”
“Five. He asked me to meet him at the bar.”
“I’d take that as a good sign.”
“Maybe. I hope.”
She gathers her things and rises, glancing back at Louise.
“Bye baby. Enjoy your treasure.”
Standing, I take her in my arms. She smells so good.
“Good luck, and call me as soon as you know.”
“You too. Go make your fortune.”
I look in her beautiful eyes.
“You’re my fortune. The other stuff’s just the incidentals.”
We kiss our goodbyes and she’s gone, disappearing up the hill and into the crowd of passing walkers and rollerbladers on the trail. I’ve got another hour before I need to meet with Piper but I don’t want to be late, so I attempt to separate Louise from her find. It’s time to go.
“What have you got there that’s so interesting?”
She has a tight bite on whatever it is, and she’s not letting go. As I’m trying to pry open her teeth she vomits into my hand.
“Louise! You okay girl?”
She begins to retch up the contents of her stomach in violent heaves. I see the chewed remnants of empty gum wrappers and the mangled letters with the name, Sugarless Yummygum. I recognize the logo. She falls over in a heap and just stares at me. Oh shit! I grab my cell and dial her vet. All the while, as I’m petting and trying to reassure her, my hearts beating out of my chest.
It seems like an eternity before I connect and explain what I think happened. He tells me sugarless products are poisonous to dogs, and to take the wrapper and Louise to the Animal Hospital adjacent to the Park. And don’t waste time doing it, he says. I scoop my best friend up and take off running. The passing crowd of people are a blur. I cradle Louise in the most comfortable embrace I can muster and try not to juggle her around too much.
Sweat and vomit are running down the crook of my arm by the time I finally make it to the hospital. I don’t care who’s waiting to be seen. I push my way to the front desk. With one look the vet tech sizes up the situation. I spit out the important details while trying to catch my breath.
“She ate . . . sugarless gum I think. Don’t know how much.”
He quickly comes around the desk and takes Louise from my arms. It looks like the life-force is ebbing from her. Instantly my eyes fill with tears.
“Okay. Dr. Daniel will examine her. Do you have the contents?’
“Yeah.”
I reach into my pocket and bring out the wet sloppy wad I retrieved.
“Here. See the logo?” My voice cracks with emotion.
I hand him my offering and he disappears into the back rooms. When I look around I’m greeted with the empathetic faces of the animal lovers who wait for or with their fur babies. It’s poignant how people who love animals feel your fear and heartbreak as if it were their own. They wear it in their stare. I’d bet almost every human here has in the past experienced that awful day when they say goodbye. It’s such a short time we’re able to love each other. It’s not a good thing that often we have to choose the day our pets die. Please God, don’t make this the day.
I take a seat and begin the wait. A half an hour later my cell sounds, and when I see the name I realize I’m late for my meeting. I might as well drop the bomb now.
“Piper.”
“Oliver, you almost here?”
I can hear the anger in her voice, disguised as casual concern.
“We’ll have to postpone. I’m at the vets with Louise. She ate something and I think she may have poisoned herself. Explain the situation and tell him I’m sorry and I’ll be happy to meet him another time.”
There’s a long pause at the other end. I hear her chair scrape back. She excuses herself from the table, feigning she’s not able to hear me. After a few beats her whispered yell hisses through the phone.
“Get your ass over here now! Leave the dog and attend to your business! Shit!”
“No. I’m not leaving her. You of all people should understand. What if it was Hercules?”
I disconnect and get back to the business of waiting. What I’m willing to sacrifice doesn’t surprise me in the least. I want Louise to know I’m here. Especially if it’s her ending.
When you love someone, you do what you need to. Living with a dog changes your perception of love itself. It makes you understand the state on a different level because what they give is unconditional. They’re so good at it and so joyful as they make you the object of their affection. I’m going to stand by her today in honor of that love. If I lose the deal so be it.
The next hour and a half is spent returning emails and sending a few texts. I thumb through the timeworn magazines of Modern Dog and Cat Fancy. People come and go, most reuniting with their dogs who strain at their leashes to get the hell out of here. I hear ya. Urinating in the waiting room seems to be the favorite pastime of nearly every dog. I start to make a game of picking which one’s going to do it and where.
My attention is pulled to the tech who’s coming from the back rooms. She makes eye contact with me.
“Mr. London, Dr. Daniel will see you now.”
My stomach does a flip. I toss the magazine on the table and follow her through the door and into one of the exam rooms. I can’t read her face, and I’m afraid to ask her any questions. She leaves before I can change my mind. It only takes a minute or two before the vet appears. She’s a sturdy looking woman in her fifties I’d say, and she has kind eyes.
“Hello. I’m Dr. Daniel.”
“How’s Louise doing?”
“I’ve got her on an I.V. drip, and we were able to pump her stomach. It’s a good thing you could get her here so quickly, because I think the xerbitol she ingested was a potentially fatal amount. Sugarless products are lethal to dogs, and they’re attracted to the scent and taste.”
“Is she going to survive?”
“We won’t know the answer to that question for another eight hours or so. There’s no way of telling what was absorbed into her blood stream. But I’m hopeful. She hasn’t had any seizures and her vitals are improving.”
“Can I stay here?”
Her face shows her empathy.
“You can, we’re open 24/7, but you won’t be able to see her. She’s going to be sedated for a while and then she’ll most likely be sleeping.”
“I don’t care. I just rather be close in case anything happens.”
She touches my arm and gives it a squeeze.
“I understand completely. We’ve got a recliner in one of the rooms. There’s a pillow and blanket for your use. Ask Marlene at the front desk. She’ll direct you. I’ll tell the staff you’re going to want to be notified if there’s any change to her condition.”
“Yes. Please. And doctor, could you give Louise a kiss from me and let her know I’m here? I know that sounds insane, but she’ll understand what you’re saying.”
As she turns to leave, Dr. Daniel gives me a knowing nod. She gets it.