Chapter 33
Nicholas
“Rabbit?” Mateo scratched his head in confusion.
“Close. Raabitt,” Nicholas stressed, rolling the r and breathing a silent h.
“And it’s a bond that the four of you share?”
“Yeah, but in this case, a familial one.”
According to Hamza, it was a link formed between trusted family, mates, and close friends, branching out and connecting everyone.
“Huh.”
Mateo reclined on the couch as Nicholas dashed around the apartment stuffing his books into his satchel. He’d made Bridge Hill’s late registration deadline by the skin of his teeth. Today marked his first day of classes.
“So you close your door, and he can’t feel you, you can’t feel him?”
“Unfortunately, the door only works one way. So if his door was open, I could technically still feel his emotions.”
But he hadn’t felt Gabriel, not even after shutting him out days ago. He’d barely slept a wink, worrying and wondering if he was okay. He’d been tempted to ask Hamza during their sparring match, but figured if Gabriel wasn’t okay, that Hamza would have mentioned it.
Mateo looked even more baffled.
“I know, it’s a lot. I mean, there’s probably a way for me to block the intake as well. I’ll ask Marcus when I see him.”
He’d be stopping by with Maxim next week, and then taking all three dogs back with him.
“Do they ever give your heels a break?”
Nicholas maneuvered between Zeke and Kai to get into the kitchen. They’d been on his trail all morning.
“Of course they do. They’re just ready to go outside.”
Nicholas filled a tall glass with blood, turning it to slush before downing it. Mateo scrunched up his nose, turning his attention back to the list they’d been compiling all morning.
“Sorry. That’ll never not be weird,” he said.
Nicholas chuckled, rinsing his glass before putting it away.
“Okay. We’ve got a pretty good list of things to try here, even skydiving.” He brandished a smile full of mischief. “What are you looking forward to the most?”
“Not skydiving, that’s for sure.”
“Since when are you afraid of heights?”
“Since the night I died.”
“Oh, right. But that can’t ever happen again, so, I mean, there’s that.”
There were ways Nicholas could die or be incapacitated, but he wasn’t exactly in the mood to discuss that either.
Slinging his satchel across his back, he retrieved the dog leashes from the hook near the apartment door. Mateo shot upright, dropping his feet to the floor.
“Wait, we’re bringing them?”
“Yeah. Didn’t you hear me say they wanted to go outside?”
He frowned. “Dogs always want to go outside. I didn’t know you were bringing them with us.”
“I can’t leave them here alone.”
“Why not?”
“For one, my apartment is still new to them.”
“And because you treat them like they’re still babies.” Mateo tilted his head, daring Nicholas to deny it. He would have, if Mateo hadn’t walked in on him feeding them by hand.
“Are pets even allowed on school grounds?” He scrutinized the dogs. “Pets may be an understatement. They’re fucking beasts, Nicky.”
“Hey, watch the way you talk about my kids.”
Nicholas hooked the leashes to their spiked collars.
“I’m dropping them off at the Kindness Refuge first. Mike said he’d watch them for me.”
Sandy was still out on maternity leave.
“Well, I came on my Ducati. How are they going to fit?”
“They’re not, and I wasn’t getting on the back of that thing anyway. You drive like a speed-demon. I’d end up tossed to the ground on the first rough turn, my skin flayed and decorating the pavement.”
Mateo stood. “I’ve never met a vampire so afraid of getting a boo-boo before.”
Nicholas rolled his eyes, pulling his skateboard off its wall mount.
“Yeah, well, I heard Ducatis are pretentious.”
Mateo released an exaggerated gasp. “Who said that?”
Nicholas laughed. “I’m not telling you. Take my bike. You can ride alongside us.”
Mateo snorted, eyeing the folding bike as if it offended him.
“I can’t be caught dead on that, Nicholas.”
“Fine, then I’ll just meet you later at the gym.”
“Nice try, but we already know you like fencing.” Mateo held up the notepad. “Tonight, we’re going to see a live band. They’ll be fine,” he sighed when Nicholas stared down at the dogs.
The sparkling tones of the shelter wind chimes always did make Nicholas smile. He scanned the birds and kittens up front, Ezekiel and Malachi yanking at their leashes.
“Nicholas! My man!” Mike hurried in from the back, wrapping Nicholas up in a one-armed hug.
“Hey, Mike. It’s good to see you.”
“Same here.” He patted Nicholas’s cheek, something he picked up from his wife.
Kai and Zeke barked, demanding to be noticed.
“Wow.” Mike dropped to one knee. “Look at how big they got. Should they be this big? Oomph.”
They forced him to his back in their excitement, licking his hands and face.
“I think they miss you.”
“You might be right.” Mike grinned. “I’m surprised they remember me. Hey buddy,” he crooned to Zeke. “His leg looks so much better.”
“Yeah, his limp is barely noticeable, and he keeps up with Kai and Maxim just fine.”
Mike pushed up, dusting off his pants. “Where is our fearsome Maxim?”
“He’s, um, with Gabriel. I’ll bring him by some other time.”
“Did someone say hot-hunk-of-a-man?!” Sandy’s question traveled from the back.
“He said Gabriel,” Mike shouted over his shoulder.
“Yeah, yeah, same thing.”
“What’s she doing here?” Nicholas whispered. Mike tossed his hands up in obvious frustration.
Sandy appeared, rocking their baby boy in her arms. He looked just like Mike.
“I’m here because there’s no way I was going to miss a visit from you. I haven’t seen you in months! You dropped off the face of the earth. I’m not happy with you, mister.”
Damn it. Nicholas forgot to ask Hamza what story he’d given them. He hadn’t had to explain himself when he’d called Mike, but that was the type of easy-going guy Mike was. Sandy, on the other hand, was a complete momma bear.
“I mean, I know we can’t compete with the Lord and all, but you could’ve checked in.”
“The… Lord?”
“You were on a spiritual retreat, weren’t you?”
“Ah, yes, that’s right. Sorry. I was in a pretty bad place. The opportunity came up at the last minute, and I couldn’t pass it up. Oh, and there was a no cell phone policy, so…”
He sounded guilty as sin, and it was hopefully the last lie he’d have to tell her.
Mike mouthed, “I’m sorry.”
“Well, we’re just glad you’re okay. You are okay, right?”
“Yeah. I’m adjusting. Figuring out how to live a different life while still being a believer.”
Not a lie, and she already knew he’d given up on becoming a priest. He’d told her that during their last phone conversation, before he went AWOL on her.
“Well, if my uncle Timmie could do it, then so can you. He used to smoke crack before delivering his Sunday sermons. Said it helped with his fear of public speaking.”
Nicholas blinked, unsure if he should laugh or pray for Uncle Timmie.
Mike groaned. “I don’t think they’re the same thing, honey.”
She huffed, passing the baby over to him before throwing both arms around Nicholas. Zeke and Kai demanded some love from her, too.
“Well, I’ve really gotta—”
“I’m sure you’ve got a few minutes to catch up with the lady you left terrified and heartbroken. Hmm?”
“Um, yeah. I’ve got a few minutes.”
“Good.” She looped her arm through his, guiding him past the curtains and down the aisle of small mammals.
“Now, I’m not done lecturing you, but I really wanted you to take a look at a baby guinea pig that recently came in.”
Her tone concerned Nicholas.
“What’s wrong with it?”
“That’s the thing, we don’t know.”
They stopped in front of a large enclosure housing three pups. They squeaked and played in a corner, climbing over each other.
“There are three of them,” Nicholas said. “And they seem fine.”
“We added those three in to see if it would help Penny. She’s the one we’re having a problem with.”
Guinea pigs were highly social animals who lived in pairs or groups. It made sense to keep them together.
“I don’t understand.” But then the group of three parted, revealing an all-white pup hunched in the corner. Her glassy gray eyes opened and closed sluggishly. Without thinking, Nicholas reached for the latch.
“She won’t eat, drink, or interact with the others. And she won’t let us touch her. Any time we try, she just ambles to another corner. We thought she might be in pain, but she doesn’t make a sound. Maybe she’s depressed?”
Sandy wrung her fingers. If there was anyone who loved animals more than Nicholas, it was her.
“Do you mind?” Nicholas had the plexiglass door open before she could answer.
“No, please. It’s why I brought you back here.
They always seem happier after a visit from you.
You’re like the animal whisperer, or something.
Mike’s got an appointment with the vet later.
There are a couple cats not looking too hot either.
My mom is going to keep an eye on the place while he goes because I technically shouldn’t even be here.
Maybe I’ll have her take the baby so I can be the one to stay. ”
Nicholas flattened his lips, wishing he could help out in some way, but he couldn’t miss his first day of classes.
“Are you sure Kai and Zeke won’t be any trouble? You guys seem spread thin. I can take them back home.” He’d be late getting to Bridge Hill, but he didn’t want to put more of a strain on Sandy and Mike.
“Nonsense,” she said absently as Nicholas gently stroked Penny’s coat. Sandy exhaled when she didn’t shy away.
Nicholas felt a pinch near his right hip, the shock of it causing him to flinch away. Penny watched him.
“You okay?” Sandy asked.
“Yeah, um, I’m fine.” Nicholas rubbed his hip, gaze narrowing on Penny.
“I’m gonna try to pick her up.”
Carefully, he pulled her from the enclosure. The other guinea pigs continued to play. Nicholas lightly touched the area above her right hind leg, and again he felt a sharp tug along his right side.
“I-I…” The hand he held her in trembled, even more so when she held his stare.
“Nicholas?”
“Sorry. I’m okay. I think something’s wrong with her leg.”
“But she’s able to move.” Sandy frowned. “Although it does take her a while. Wouldn’t she make a sound of distress? Grind her teeth? Something?”
“Maybe, or maybe not. Have them x-ray her. Do you have any pain medication in the meantime?”
“I have some left over from Cheryl.” She pointed to the brown pup. “She and Penny are close in size. It should be fine to give her a little. Can you do it? She might not take it from me.”
“Sure.”
Sandy hurried off, and Nicholas peered over each shoulder before conjuring cool water into his other palm. He brought it close enough for Penny to scoot forward and sip.
“Unbelievable,” Sandy exclaimed, startling Nicholas. Had she seen the water appear?
“It’s not what you—”
“We’ve tried everything to get her to drink from that bowl. We even tried using a water bottle.”
Nicholas glanced at the porcelain bowl of water inside the enclosure.
“Never thought about pouring it directly into our hands.”
“Yeah, I ah, hand-feed the dogs sometimes.” He shook the leftover water into the bowl.
“That’ll spoil them, Nicholas,” she chastised, handing him the medicine dropper. “Then no one will want to babysit.”
“It’s okay,” he whispered when Penny recoiled. “That’s it, sweetheart. Just a little more. There you go.”
Sandy watched in awe. Nicholas set her down, promising her she’d feel better soon. He wished he could take the pain away himself.
“I really need to go. Will you text me as soon as you get a diagnosis?”
“Of course. I’ll walk you out.”
Mike sat feeding the baby while Zeke and Kai watched on. He said his goodbyes to all of them before grabbing his skateboard and following Sandy outside.
“Pretty soon, it’ll be you taking care of them. You’ll be Dr. Nicholas Armahn, and everyone will need to put some respect on your name.” She tugged the ends of her sweater together, bracing against the cool air. “Summer’s really over, huh?”
“Yeah. I’ll let you go. I don’t want you to get sick, and I’ve got ten minutes to make a fifteen-minute trip.”
“Okay, but what was that look for?”
“What look?”
She saw way too much.
“The look you gave me when I called you Dr. Nicholas Armahn. You seemed… I don’t know. Sad?”
He dropped his board and planted a foot on it. “I’m not sad, it’s just that I’ve changed direction.”
He’d been so excited over the phone the day he’d told her his idea for opening an animal shelter and attaching his own veterinary clinic to it. That seemed like a lifetime ago.
“I’m getting a graduate degree in engineering.”
She observed him with a shrewd gaze. “There it goes again.”
“There what goes again?”
“That flicker of sadness.” She waved her hands at his face. “What’s really going on?”
Nicholas turned away, choosing to eye the traffic instead.
“How’s Father Murphy? The church?” she asked, trying a different tactic.
“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t seen either in a while.”
He stepped out of the way of a woman pushing a stroller.
“If there are two things I know about you, Nicholas, it’s that you love animals and God. What changed? Did the retreat make you rethink more than not being a priest anymore?”
“Nothing’s changed. I still love both.”
He’d been reading the Bible Gabriel gifted him nightly, feeling his connection to God re-solidifying.
“But what if there are other things that I could love just as much, if I tried hard enough? What if this isn’t me?” He gestured to the shelter. “What if some freaky gene was passed down through centuries? What if someone else who lived long before me is the reason Penny allowed me to hold her?”
Sandy watched him intently, as though turning every word over for hidden meanings. She shrugged. “I suppose. Did I ever tell you that my great-great-great-grandfather rescued war horses?”
“No.” The news surprised him.
“Yup. Horses left without riders, abandoned during battle. He loved animals too. So I suppose I got that freaky gene from him. My mother loves knitting, and so did her mother.” She glanced down at her sweater. “I made this in between nursing Sutton.”
Nicholas gave a half smile, feeling the sadness she spoke of.
“It’s nice.”
“No, it’s not, you liar. But I enjoyed making it. I’m already making you and Mike one—and you’re both going to wear it.”
Nicholas used a finger to cross his heart. “Promise.”
Sandy patted his cheek.
“The point is, we all get something from somewhere or someone. Who cares if it’s something that you love, something that fulfills you?
If you got this freaky-deaky, animal-loving gene from some aunt who lived amongst the wolves in three thousand B.C.
, then Penny and I thank her, and you should too. ”