Chapter 7 #2
“Also, we thought we could create an education program,” added Daisy, “to increase the rate of spaying and neutering. And to reduce the number of kittens born every year.”
Betty nodded and asked more detailed questions about the numbers as she took a bite of food.
Mal elaborated on the facts and figures, and about what she had learned from phoning other shelters that had expanded in recent years. “I wanted to get their take on the lessons they learned.”
“And how many more staff would you need to bring on, do you suppose?” asked Betty, before she took another bite.
“It depends on what we choose as a model,” said Mal. “But probably a resident vet—or at least one that could be on site a few times a week—a vet assistant, and people trained in rehab techniques, though a lot of them could be volunteers.”
“It sounds like you’ve thought this all through,” said Betty, once she had asked a few more questions and sat back from her empty plate. “Tell you what. You send me a report, and any revisions I need once I’ve read it, and I’ll take it to the board meeting at the end of the month.”
“Really?” asked Mal.
“Yes. And good job, by the way,” said Betty. “You came prepared, you had answers to my questions before I asked them, and you have a vision I can get behind. You, young lady, should consider going into management.”
“Thank you,” said Mal, beaming.
“Yes, you and Daisy have done a lot of work. Thank you,” Raven said, pleased that they had been so thorough. She would need to give Mal more of a leadership role as they moved forward. The young woman was ready to grow, and as her boss and friend, it was Raven’s job to help her do that.
“Now,” said Betty, when they were all finished eating and had begun to talk about other subjects. “What’s for dessert? I could really use a gulab jamun about now.”
“I anticipated that,” said Lance, nodding at the waiter coming toward their table. The server carried a tray of round sweets soaked in syrup and another tray of other Indian treats. “And how many of you would like chai?”
Everyone put up their hands and laughed, and Raven smiled as she looked around. A few short weeks ago, she could not have anticipated being part of this happy group—not like this. No, this was down to Lance, to his ability to bring people together, and to the new structure of the Cat’s Meow.
She no longer had to lead it all. Now she had help. A boyfriend. And people around her to share her load.
She listened as Daisy and Zoey talked about marketing and fundraising ideas. She was sure that the expansion could be possible and that her vision, now that it was shared by others, could grow into something good for Sunshine Bay.
Now, if only she could get in touch with Wren and know she was well. She hadn’t heard from her daughter in over a week now. Not by text or message or phone.
If she hadn’t heard something by tomorrow, she was going to call McKenzie and admit that she and Wren were not in touch.
And if McKenzie didn’t know? Well, then… she would have to decide what to do after that.
Was Wren just clamming up because she was bothered by something? When Wren was bothered by something, it was usually a big something.
A big something that Raven knew nothing about.
She wished her daughter could be more like Zoey, who called her dad regularly, but that wasn’t Wren’s way, and she had to respect that.
“My ride will be here soon,” said Betty half an hour later. “Can you take me outside?”
“Of course,” said Lance, sliding out of the booth and settling Betty’s shawl over her ample shoulders. “I’ll just pay the bill.”
“Raven, perhaps you could help me out in the meantime,” said Betty, after Lance was out of earshot.
“Certainly,” said Raven, standing up and moving behind Betty’s chair. “Do you have everything?”
“Of course,” said Betty. Raven smiled to herself and pushed the chair toward the exit.
“The launch was a success, it seems,” said Betty, after Raven had helped her down the steep ramp. “I’m glad you and Lance are getting on so well now.”
Raven felt a blush coming on. “Two months ago, you would never have known it.”
“Understatement.” Betty laughed as they waited for the van.
“Before I go…” Betty peered up at Raven, studying her as though weighing something important.
Tension filled the air between them and Raven waited. But Betty said nothing. “Did you want to ask me something about the project?”
“No, I want you to…” She paused as though searching for words. “Promise me something.”
“What?”
Betty eyed her up and down. “Look, I know he’s a grown man, but he’s also my nephew.”
“This is about Lance?” Raven’s attention was now riveted on her companion.
“Yes. As you know, Lance is good at what he does. But he needs room to breathe when he’s excited about a project.”
“And?”
“You’re used to running things yourself. This might be different.”
“Are you saying I shouldn’t… hover?”
“I’m saying… that you might want to focus your energy on running the center, training up the volunteers, and working on the fundraising efforts… and let him get on with things.”
The transit van arrived and Betty wheeled her chair closer to the curb. “I will see you at the board meeting Raven,” she said over her shoulder. “And think about what I said.”
The attendant came to collect her and load her and her chair into the van. Raven waited until the van pulled away from the curb, then walked back to the restaurant to find everyone standing, saying their goodbyes.
“Thanks for dinner, Lance,” said Mal. “Zoey has a key, so we’re going over to get the cats and the tables.” To Raven she said, “We’ll see you back at the shelter.”
“Sounds good,” said Raven, and watched the three women walk up the road, chatting happily.
Pinky and Ahmed took their leave as well, leaving Lance and Raven alone outside the restaurant.
“So, lunch tomorrow?” Lance asked. “I can pick you up and take you to that bistro out in Ladysmith.”
“I have brunch with Rosalyn tomorrow, but maybe we could get together for coffee later?” said Raven.
“Absolutely, if I get to spend time with you,” he said. “I’ll text you after I put Zoey on the ferry.”
“I’ll see you then,” she said, receiving a kiss on the cheek. She liked that, his way of kissing her without thought or ceremony, as though he had kissed her like that for years.
And she was getting used to it, this new rhythm of her life. Two years ago, she was hugging Wren goodbye and pecking her on the cheek. Now she was receiving Lance’s kisses.
Though the hole Wren had left was likely never to be completely filled, she had to accept it. Life had a way of continuing forward whether she was ready or not.
But she was still going to call McKenzie in the morning if Wren hadn’t answered her. Because no matter how old Wren got, Raven was still her mother, and she still had the right to worry.