Chapter 9 #3
“I’ve been having a few issues, so I saw the doctor before my last trip.
He called with the results. It’s a form of cancer, so they’re going to remove my ovaries and things.
It’s not that big a deal, they’ve caught it very early, and I should be back to work after the holidays.
” She sipped her coffee. “I don’t want a bunch of worrying or hand-wringing about this. ”
James scoffed. “How long have you known Lyle?” he snarked. “He’s going to worry about you, just like he worries about the dogs when he’s away.” She held James’s gaze, but didn’t contradict him or give him grief, which Lyle hoped was good.
“Yeah… okay.” She set down her coffee cup.
“I’m going to be fine. It’s surgery, but it’s not a huge deal.
I’ll be in the hospital overnight, and then I’ll be home resting for a while.
I’ve already arranged for a service to come in.
They will look after me and do some cooking so I don’t starve.
” That was her. She was so independent. Lyle had always admired that about her, but it got under his skin sometimes too.
“And I know what you’re thinking, but you have work and a life of your own.
So yes, I expect you’ll come in to see me, but I don’t want you putting your life on hold for me. ”
Lyle should have expected this of her. She would want to control the situation and not bother him or the other people in her life. And there was no fighting it. She was happiest when she knew what was going to happen.
“Is there someone special in your life, besides Lyle?” James asked. Lyle was grateful he changed the topic.
She cleared her throat as Lyle leaned in. “Yeah, Mom. Are you dating anyone?”
“If you must know, there is someone. He lives in Shanghai, and I like him very much. I see him when I visit on business, and we’ve met in Europe on more than one occasion.
Before you ask, I don’t know how serious it is.
It’s unlikely that he’d leave China permanently, and I have little interest in moving there either.
So for now, it’s an easy friendship. And the rest will have to take care of itself. ”
“Will he be here after your surgery?” Lyle asked. “Or… let me guess… you never told him about any of it.” He knew his mother very well. If he hadn’t pressed her, she might have told him about it, but only once the procedure was done, if she thought she could get away with it.
She shrugged. “He doesn’t need to know.” And that told him quite a bit. For the first time that Lyle could remember, his mother was visibly uncomfortable. She was usually so composed and put together.
“Except you don’t believe that,” Lyle pressed. She sipped her coffee and ignored him. All of which meant that she was just going to avoid it and the conversation until it returned to a subject she wanted to talk about.
“Tell me about these dogs you work with,” she asked James.
“The dog rescue is outside of town. Mitchell Brannigan is the owner. He’s a vet and realized a lot of dogs need homes, so he started the rescue.
For instance, we got a call from the sheriff’s office yesterday.
A man died, and he had twelve dogs. So we took them, and Mitchell will help the ones who need it. ”
“He did surgery on one and is treating another of the dogs,” Lyle interrupted.
“Most were in okay condition. We’ll feed them and make sure they don’t have any health issues, and then we’ll find them homes. Mitchell had helped hundreds of dogs… as well as other animals.”
“But I thought it was a dog shelter?” Mom asked.
James shrugged. “He’ll help any animal in need.
A while ago, he went to an animal hoarder’s home and found dogs, snakes, turtles, and a tiger.
A full-grown tiger. Kahn was in bad shape, but Mitchell got him nursed back to health, and eventually they were able to find the tiger a home.
He was a pretty rare species, so now Kahn is at a zoo and refuge where he has lots of room to roam and is part of a breeding program to help preserve the species. ”
“I’d say you should get a dog, but you’re never home for long enough,” Lyle told her. “They are great company. There’s almost nothing better than coming home and finding them excited and happy to see you.” He knew he was twisting the knife a little bit, but he couldn’t resist.
“All right. You made your point,” she told him. “The dogs make you happy.”
“They really do, and James likes working at the shelter. I’ve volunteered there a few times as well.” Lyle smiled and sipped his coffee as he looked around the Coca Cola–decorated space.
He set down his cup and nudged James slightly.
“That’s the guy who was in the shelter yesterday.
The one who wanted two dogs. Don’t turn too quickly.
” Lyle looked away, and James casually turned his head.
“Mom, would you take my picture and be sure to get the guy with the scruffy beard in the background? He’s the one I really want a picture of.
” He and James leaned together as his mother pulled out her phone and snapped a few images. Then she texted them to him.
“Thanks. These are really good.”
She rolled her eyes. “You think that was my first time? I take sneaky pictures all the time. It goes with the job.” The server brought their orders, and Lyle straightened up. “What is it you think this man has done?” She took a small bite of her eggs.
“He came to the shelter, looked through quickly, and then picked out two dogs that he wanted. He didn’t get to know them or look very closely.
” Lyle kept his voice really low. “Then he told me what he wanted like he had just picked out some shirts. I gave him all the paperwork and he left. But I get the feeling….”