Brother’s Best Friend

by Black, Natasha L.

  She brushed her hand softly over the tutu before clearing her throat.

  “Food choices, as well. Though, obviously, keep her healthy. If you want to go see a movie, she can choose the movie. If you don’t have plans for the day, you can let her make them. Things like that, within reason,” she said.

  “Thank you for your advice and your time today,” I said.

  “Let me talk with Dr. Yousef. I’m going to meet with her on my lunch break. I’ll have the receptionist call you with appointment times to confirm later on today.”

  “I don’t know how to thank you. Just—thank you, Dr. Goldstein.”

  I walked Millie out of the building and back to the truck, then buckled her in her car seat. I brushed her hair away from her face, and she smiled softly at me, seizing my heart in the palm of her hand. I brushed her cheek with my thumb, amazed at how much she looked like Susie.

  Every day, she looked more and more like my sister.

  “I love you. I hope you know that,” I said.

  She nodded softly, but again, she didn’t say anything. Selective mutism. It made sense. Another thing I needed to research.

  My phone ringing out pulled me from my trance.

  I peeked down into my pocket and saw Joe was calling. In fact, I’d apparently missed four calls from him. A text message followed behind that last phone call, with the words “emergency, office, now” in all capital letters. Which seized my heart in a totally different way.

  Fuck.

  “Hey, Millie. What do you think about visiting my office today? I know you haven’t seen it yet,” I said.

  All she did was shrug at me, though. So, I took it as a yes.

  I closed the door and scurried around the truck. I didn’t know what the hell had happened, but it couldn’t have been good. It took all I had not to speed into work, blowing through yellow lights and stop signs like I was used to. We pulled up to the office, and Millie hopped out. I took her hand, and we walked inside, heading straight for Joe’s office. I knocked on his door before opening it, and his harsh voice hit my ears.

  “That’s not what I told you. That isn’t what’s invoiced. And when I fax this to your lawyer, I expect you to call me with a resolution. No more excuses. Are we clear?”

  I bent down, whispering into Millie’s ear. “Why don’t you go sit over there and I’ll get you a snack. How does that sound?”

  And with a nod of her head, she took off for the oversized chair in the corner.

  I need to keep toys for her in my truck.

  “Everything okay?” I asked.

  Joe tossed his cell phone onto his desk. “The housing complex. They’ve already laid the foundations, and the foundations are backwards.”

  I paused. “They’re what?”

  “Yeah. Backwards. As in, if we build on the foundations they’ve poured, the backyard will be the front yard and the front doors will face the woods.”

  “How did that happen?”

  “I’ve been having a time with this developer. I don’t know why the he—”

  His eyes looked over at Millie before he drew in a deep breath.

  “For some reason, they hired us only to construct from the walls and beyond. Which is fine. It’s quoted in our estimate. All we had to do was put our stamp of approval on the cookie-cutter house designs their architect sent over. No big deal. Only, the houses we approved aren’t the foundations that have just been poured.”

  “Who poured the foundations?”

  “He’s telling me a third party. You know, to keep costs down? But, after some digging, that ‘third party’ is our customer’s cousin.”

  “Nepotism. Great,” I said flatly.

  “So, we don’t have enough of the right, well, anything. It’s a mess. And now, they’re trying to pin it on us. I just now dug out the agreement we signed and what was sent over to us for approval to prove we had no part in this blunder. At all. I told you this entire system needs to be digital, right?”

  I nodded. “Many times.”

  “So, that’s a project I’m starting soon. Once I can get this mess off my desk.”

  “How would you like to tackle that project as interim CEO?”

  Joe paused. “Are you having a stroke?”

  Millie giggled, and it caused me to smile.

  “You’re doing a fantastic job at this. You’ve handled literally everything. And had I been ten minutes later, you probably would’ve called me to tell me ‘never mind, got it handled.’ Right?” I asked.

  “I mean, not in so few words. I guess?”

  “There’s not guessing when it comes to you. And it’s no secret that I can’t run this company right now. At least, not in the capacity I want.”

  “You’re not retiring, right?”

  I laughed and shook my head. “No. Just passing off the bulk of my title to someone who I know can handle it. With the pay that comes along with the title.”

  “Why don’t you just work from home?”

  “I will be. But even still, I can’t run these companies working from home. I have to be hands-on. You’ve figured that out over the past five years, working with me.”

  “But, interim CEO? Do you really want to hand that position over?”

  I nodded. “It’s only temporary. I am coming back. But someone has to be at the helm of this thing until I do get back. That seat can’t be vacant. You deserve this. You’ve earned it. And I need someone I trust to keep this place afloat so I can work from home and help get Millie settled into her new life.”

  “So, once you come back…?”

  I smiled. “I’ll be CEO again. But I am in the market for a COO. Which would come with another salary raise.”

  “COO.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Huh.”

  “What do you think?” I asked.

  Joe nodded. “I think that sounds like a good plan.”

  I reached my hand over the desk, and we shook on it. It wasn’t like no one had seen this development coming. Joe knew and understood all the ins and outs of my two companies. He came with me to business dinners. Overseas trips. He stayed late nights with me and oversaw every project we put our hands on. He was the first hire I’d made once my companies became profitable. And he’d been by my side ever since.

  “I like this office, though. Don’t make me switch offices,” Joe said.

  I laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of putting more work on your plate.”

  Then, right on cue, his cell phone rang.

  “That’s probably them,” he said.

  “You pick it up. I’ll go talk with HR about what’s happening.”

  “Let me know if you need anything, okay?”

  “You do the same, Joe. And thank you. Big-time.”

  He waved his hand in the air, signaling it wasn’t an issue before he picked up the phone. He sat back down in his chair, and I held my hand out for Millie, smiling down at her as she took it. I walked out of that office with my head held high and talked with Gladys, the woman who had headed my HR department for almost two years. I walked her through the details, then signed off on the paperwork that needed to be cleared. And with every signature, I felt a massive weight lift from my shoulders and mind.

  I loved my companies. I really did. Even though it had been a slap in my mother’s face to open them instead of taking over the investment firm my father had established. But it’d been worth it. I got to combine my two passions: creating and designing. I got to do what I loved, I got to smile at work every day, and I got to provide job opportunities for my hometown, a place that had been hit hard by recessions in the past.

  Knowing my businesses would be in the capable hands of my future COO made me feel relieved. Which meant I had more time and energy to invest in Millie.

  She had become my top priority within the span of only a couple of weeks.

  15

  Layla

  All school week, I’d been on cloud nine. With the anticipation over this date building, I knew thin
gs were about to change. Cole’s and my long-standing friendship was about to leap into a completely different world. And I didn’t know how to handle that. It didn’t make me nervous. I didn’t want to back out or anything. But it came with a lot of unknowns that kept me on my toes all week.

  At least Lance is on board.

  I wonder what Mom will think.

  Nicole’s going to shit herself!

  Wear something that makes me feel beautiful. Does that mean we’re going somewhere fancy?

  I felt giggly all week. I came in with a smile on my face and left with a pep in my step. Even though my kids threw me for a loop, it didn’t bother me one bit. I took it in stride with all the patience in the world and still made class an enjoyable experience for them. The fifth graders’ project for the week would be displayed in the lunchroom, which made all of them beyond excited. I loved it when the school supported the children’s artistic endeavors. I loved it when the parents came out for all the organized “sports sessions” Nicole put together. It reassured me that, even though the school didn’t always support us, the parents appreciated what we did for their children.

  Then, during my lunch period, I got a call from my mother.

  “Mom, I don’t have any more details on the date. I’ll call you the second it’s—”

  “I’m so sorry. Layla, please. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened.”

  I paused just outside of the cafeteria. “Mom? What’s wrong?”

  She sniffled through her sobs. “The door wasn’t even open. I don’t know how it got open.”

  “Mom, where’s Ace?”

  She was crying so hard into the phone I couldn’t even understand her. I turned on my heels and made my way for the front office, preparing myself to lock up early. I didn’t know what had happened, but something told me I needed a substitute for the rest of the day. Mom cried hysterically in my ear as I whispered to the front desk receptionist. She saw the tears in my eyes and immediately got a sub on the books for me for the rest of the afternoon. My heart slammed against my chest as Mom fumbled over her words. My hands trembled as I raced back to my room. Mom audibly sobbed into the phone as I gathered up my things, barely able to lock the door behind me.

  Then, I gathered myself enough to talk to her.

  “Mom, I need you to take a breath and tell me what’s going on,” I said.

  “It’s Ace. H-h-he—he got out the front door somehow. I don’t think your father shut it all the way, or something. And before I know it, I heard a horn and screeching tires and—”

  “Where are you guys now?” I asked as dread filled my gut.

  “The vet. Your vet. We got here a few minutes ago. Please, hurry. I’m so sorry. Please don’t hate me.”

  “Sh-sh-sh-sh, it’s okay. It was an accident. I don’t hate you, all right? I’m headed your way now. I see my car. Just—hang on, okay? Don’t make any rash decisions with the vet until I get there.”

  I hung up the phone on my mother and jumped into my car. Tears welled in my eyes as I cranked up the engine, then sped out of the parking lot. I trained my eyes on the road. I blinked back tears and talked myself through the panic that had replaced every ounce of joy I’d felt this weekend. And as I tore through the streets of Bangor to get to my vet a bit quicker, I white-knuckled the steering wheel.

  “He’s just fine. Mom’s overreacting. Everything’s okay with him. It’s fine. You’re fine. Just breathe.”

  I pulled into the parking lot of the vet’s office and drew in a deep breath. I wiped at my eyes, knowing damn good and well I’d need a level head in order to deal with the situation. I took a few seconds to calm down and stop my hands from trembling. I shook them out, my fingers aching with how hard I’d grasped the steering wheel on the ride over. I took the time to check my bank account. I moved some funds around to be able to cover whatever it was I was about to walk into, cursing the dreadful pay of teachers and running numbers through my mind as I stepped out of my car.

  As I made my way into the office, my mother’s voice hit my ears.

  “Layla!”

  She practically tackled me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. I held her close, listening to her cry as Dad walked up to us. He kissed me on my forehead as I petted my mother’s hair. I shushed her mindlessly as my eyes searched for anyone who could give me answers.

  Then, Dad finally spoke.

  “It’s my fault, honey. I didn’t close the door hard enough, and I didn’t catch it until I saw Ace nosing it open. I tried going after him, but he ran into the road before I could even get to the door,” he said.

  “So, he was hit by a car.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Mom whispered.

  “It’s okay. You just need to breathe,” I said.

  “He was, yes. Someone was flying down the hill much too quickly. Ace is in surgery now. We had to make that call before you could get here.”

  “Surgery? How badly is he hurt, Daddy?”

  Dad pulled Mom from me, and it gave me time to wipe my eyes. I felt as if I were falling into a chasm of emptiness. Surgery? How hard had Ace been hit? Dad soothed Mom’s cries as the receptionist walked into the room. And the second she saw me, she motioned for me to come over.

  Thank fuck, someone who can answer my questions.

  “Hi. I’m here for—”

  “Ace. Yes. The vet wanted me to come talk with you about what’s going on,” she said.

  “How bad off is he? How long will the surgery be?” I asked.

  “Ace is very lucky your parents got him here when they did. All his vital organs look ok but his back left leg was crushed beyond repair. The doctor is amputating now. It’s his best chance.”

  Tears dripped down my cheeks. “What else?”

  “One of his front legs will have to be casted. But other than that, it’s just a couple stitches here and there and some pain medication for bruising and general soreness for the next couple of weeks.”

  “So, he’s going to live? He’ll be okay?”

  “The next little bit are critical. But if they can get Ace through the amputation, he’ll be all right.”

  I paced the lobby of the vet’s office, raking my hand through my hair. I lost track of time. I lost track of where I was. The only thing I kept thinking about was Ace. How I was going to take care of him. The money it would cost. Did I need to take time off work? Cash in some of my paid leave? I didn’t have much of it. Teachers nowadays didn’t get a lot of benefits. I wiped my tears away before they fell, trying to be strong for my sweet little boy.

  My sweet baby Ace.

  When the vet came out and motioned for me, I practically took off running. I left my parents in the dust unintentionally as I walked behind him. He kept talking to me about how the surgery had been a success and that Ace had been a great patient. That he had finally come out of his anesthesia. But I only partially listened.

  And when my eyes finally landed on Ace, I forgot the vet even existed.

  “Hey there, sweetheart,” I said softly.

  I bent down next to the pad he was lying on, watching him struggle and listening to him whimper. He slowly moved the stump of his back left leg as confusion rumbled over his face. My heart broke for my sweet puppy. He looked distressed, trying to get to me.

  “Can I pick him up?” I asked softly.

  “Of course. Just be gentle,” the vet said.

  I picked him up and softly put him in my lap. And when he settled his head against my stomach, the tears fell. I sobbed openly in the room, not giving a damn who saw me. Because my heart kept breaking the more Ace whimpered. I stroked his back. I sniffled until I couldn’t breathe through my nose. I didn’t blame anyone for it, really. It was just an unfortunate accident. Mom had been so gracious with her offer to let Ace out while I was at work, and with no compensation to boot.

  I couldn’t possibly blame them for this.

  “We’ll have to keep him overnight for observation. But someone will be here with him the entire time
. I’ll call you in the morning after we feed him, and we can go from there and figure out what the plan of action will be,” the vet said.

  “Can we see him?” Mom asked.

  I looked up and saw her poking her head around the corner. I motioned for her to come in, and her face scrunched up the second she saw him. She dipped down beside me, furiously apologizing as I settled him softly against her lap. And when Ace curled into her stomach as well, I drew in a deep breath.

  “It’s not your fault, Mom. Please, stop.”

  “I should’ve checked that door.”

  “It’s okay. It’s no one’s fault.”

  “If anything, it’s my fault,” Dad said.

  “It’s no one’s fault, okay? Can we all just stop?” I asked curtly.

  The room fell silent, except for Ace’s whimpers.

  “I’m sorry. I just—can’t handle everyone’s voices right now,” I said.

  “I’ll pay for his vet bills,” Mom said.

  I sighed. “Mom, you can’t possibly—”

  “He was under our care. It’s the least we can do,” Dad said.

  “We can talk about that later, okay?”

  The three of us stayed there with Ace until he fell asleep in Mom’s lap. But after that, we had to leave. I watched them place my sleeping pup back on his pad, locking him away in a massive cage. It killed me to see him in that cage. I wanted him next to me in bed, or comfortable on his spot on the couch, or in his own bed, or in the recliner with me.

  Something other than here.

  “He’ll be okay. I promise, we’ll call you as soon as we can in the morning,” the vet said.

  “When can we get the bill paid?” Mom asked.

  “Billing won’t happen until the beginning of next week. So, everyone go home, and try to get some rest. I promise, Ace is just fine here,” the vet said.

  And with a nod of his head, the vet ushered us out of the room.

  Everything else was a blur. Snapshots of the world passed me by as I made my way back to my place. I walked upstairs, letting tears softly drip down my cheeks as I pressed my way into my apartment. My first destination was Ace’s spot on the couch. I picked up his soft blanket he always snuggled down into and brought it to my face. It dried my tears as I sat there, drawing in shaking breaths and trying to compose myself.