AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She’s in custody in Florida. Cora’s dad is absolutely fine,” Cyrus answers.
“Cora wants to know if she’s going to prison.”
“She sure is,” Cyrus answers.
“She wants to know if you can find out if she really has cancer—we’re assuming no. And if that suspicion is correct, is she going to be made to pay him back all the money he gave her for treatments?”
“We’ll find out what we can.” Cyrus answers.
“Roman?”
“Yeah, CeCe?”
There’s a long pause, and I’m waiting for her to tell me she’s pissed, that she’s mad at me, that she needs time to process, which I’ll allow, of course, but not from a distance. I want to be there with her even if it’s just to hold her hand.
“Thank you.”
I exhale and close my eyes. “No need to thank me, but I gotta ask a question.”
“Shoot,” she growls. “Shit choice of words, sorry.”
Smiling, I ask, “Whose name was once Eleanor?”
She sniffs a few times then whispers, “Chloe’s.”
“It’s a good name. Grandma Harts middle name too.”
“It’s the best name,” she whispers.
24
Flying High
On Friday, while in the SUV, traveling around Miami—stuck inside while Cora, Fawna, and Francesca took pictures at various locations and unable to binge-listen or binge-watch a true crime documentary or podcast since Franco might think I was more fucked up than he probably already did—I checked my email for the first time since this whole mess began.
It might sound irresponsible, but Hilda takes care of the Wags account and always tells me when I need to address something. This account was one I used to send out inquiries for help with the spay and neutering clinic.
What I found were dozens of responses, offering time, and three asking if I was hiring part-time help. Those were from retired veterinarians who wanted a day or two a week to make extra money due to the economy. I forwarded them to Hilda on Saturday morning and asked if they knew any of them and told her I was considering hiring someone to pick up work a couple of days for reasons I’d explain on Monday.
While flying back to New Jersey, I check again.
From: Wags Veterinary Hospital
To: Cecilia Shaw
Subject: Re: Could you look these over?
CeCe,
Doc and I are both in agreement that Dr. Holmes and Dr. Mackenzie would be wonderful additions to the Wags family. We do also have an application for a Dr. Amira Uyar. She just graduated from CSU. I believe you recognize that name, as it’s the same as one of the teammates of that beautiful young man who brought you flowers.
We’re here for anything you need and so very blessed to be able to watch you fall in love.
You mean the world to us.
Hilda
Now as I sit beside Roman in the hospital, waiting for him to wake up, I send a reply.
