Searching for Normal

by C. J. Darlington

  “For sale.” Janie shrugged. “I’ve half a mind to buy her myself and start that lesson program you got me thinking about.”

  I took in the mare’s face, her kind eyes, and was amazed how she could totally live in the moment. Humans had mistreated her, yet here she was trusting us. Sure, she’d probably have flashbacks next time someone tried to load her, kind of like the moment I’d freaked out in drama class, but for now she was content to be present. Here. Now.

  “You should totally do that,” I said softly. “I think she’s got a lot to teach people.”

  I waved to Tessa and climbed the back stairs up to the apartment. Seeing Ava had given me a little closure about that terrible experience at the clinic, but it also reopened my Mason wound. I’d probably be thinking about him a lot.

  “Shay? That you?”

  “Yeah!”

  “We’re in the living room!”

  I dumped my backpack in my room as I passed it. We?

  My aunt was sitting on the sofa. When she saw me, a huge grin spread across her face. Lying beside her with his head resting in her lap, a blanket over him, was Stanley.

  I don’t think I’ve ever run so fast in my life. I was in front of them in practically two strides. Stanley’s tail thumped and wouldn’t stop. His ears went back, and he shifted, trying to get up and greet me.

  “Whoa, whoa,” Aunt Laura said. “Settle down there.”

  I fell to the floor and kissed his head, gently rubbing his ears and trying oh so hard not to cry again. But I couldn’t help it.

  “I told you it was gonna be okay,” I said through my tears, and Stanley licked my face, which made me laugh and cry at the same time.

  My aunt lifted the blanket off the greyhound, and I sucked in a breath and started crying even more when I saw the massive cast on his back leg.

  The leg she’d said he’d lose.

  “But . . . how . . . ?”

  “It was touch and go, but they were able to save it.”

  I covered my mouth with my hand and couldn’t say another word.

  “Surprised?” Aunt Laura said, wiping her own eyes with her fingertips.

  I nodded, wanting to hug her and Stanley both.

  “I didn’t want to get your hopes up,” Aunt Laura said. “That’s why I didn’t tell you right away. And we weren’t sure if we’d have the money, but someone generously donated the funds.”

  Stanley tapped his tail again, edging closer to me on the sofa. I could still smell the bandaging tape and antiseptic vet smells.

  And I didn’t care in the least.

  I buried my head in his neck. Thank You, Lord.

  “Really?” I muttered into his fur.

  “Shay, the donor wanted to remain anonymous, but I think you should know who it was.”

  I pulled back and held Stanley’s head in both my hands. Whoever it was, I owed them big time.

  “Your grandmother.”

  I glanced up suddenly at my aunt. “What?”

  “She wanted to help. She wanted to help you, Shay.”

  I stared into Stanley’s gorgeous brown eyes, quickly overcome with appreciation that Grams cared, but sadness, too, that she hadn’t reached out to let me know personally or reached out at all since I’d arrived here. But maybe this was her way, and I decided it was enough for now.

  In a few moments Stanley was asleep, and I sat up and planted myself on the sofa too.

  “How long does he get to stay here?”

  “Well . . .” Aunt Laura re-covered him with the blanket and rested her hand on the greyhound’s side, careful to avoid his scrapes.

  My aunt’s hesitation dampened my joy. “Sorry,” I said. “I know he’ll go up for adoption once he heals.”

  “No, Shay.” Aunt Laura stroked Stanley’s head. “He’s never going up for adoption again.”

  I stared at my aunt. She stared back. Then she grinned at me.

  I was not the type of girl to scream or squeal. I never had been. But the sound that came out of me made Stanley open his eyes again.

  “Oh my gosh, are you serious?”

  “He’s staying right here,” my aunt said, reaching over and patting my shoulder. “And so are you.”

  “Did you hear that, Stanley? You get to stay!”

  His tail wagged again, and I think he knew. We were both a little beaten up, a little bruised, but somehow, we’d made our way home to our new normal here in Riverbend.

  I had to admit, it felt really good.