Shady Oaks

by Jerry Boyd

  “Topper! Get him naked, ready to go in the autodoc. I will be there as soon as I can.” I shouted to John, “Text me the autodoc code for rattler venom. That danged mama snake had one of her babies in my truck. Jim is in a bad way.” I jumped in one of the saucers in John’s barn. I was airborne before the door shut. I heard my comm chime with John’s text. I sat down with the door towards Topper, and hit the open button on the control panel. I opened the ‘doc as Topper brought Jim in. I backed up so Topper could lay him down. Topper backed into the corner out of the way. I didn’t have time to calm him right then. I was carefully copying the codes from my comm to the autodoc. When they were all entered, I reached over and shut the lid without looking, and hit the start button. I turned to Topper. “It’s not your fault. If anything, it’s my fault for not paying more attention when the dogs got upset about the truck. We got him in quick enough. He’ll be fine.”

  “I should have paid more attention, Boss. We could have gotten to him sooner.”

  “All’s well that ends well, Topper. We got him in the autodoc in plenty of time. He’s going to be okay. The autodoc will probably fix other things while it’s working.”

  “You’re not mad at me, Boss?”

  “No. You’re not the one who didn’t make sure the truck was clear before he drove it again. I took someone’s word for something I should have checked myself.”

  Taz came to the door. “Sorry to interrupt. Where is Molly?”

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