Page 40 of Hazel and Elijah Find Out: First They F*cked Around

When she sat up straight again, I could still see her raw emotions. She swallowed and nodded for me to continue.

I sank into the seat across from her, and I felt more than saw Elijah’s gaze on me—as if he was looking for any vulnerable spots I might need protecting. “Echo suffered from acute pancreatitis. It is not breed specific; sometimes it can be triggered by a fatty meal—”

“He only eats dog food,” the oldest daughter interrupted.

The youngest sank deeper into her chair, and I worried she’d been slipping Echo human food. Not because it could have caused his condition, but because it likely didn’t, and the little girl didn’t deserve to feel guilty for it.

I smiled at the oldest, hoping to ease her defensiveness. “That’s awesome. That’s exactly what he should be eating.” I shrugged. “Honestly, this just happens sometimes. He is not likely to suffer from this again, and it is very treatable. Are you comfortable talking about money here, or would you like to step into my office for more privacy?”

Chelsea’s eyes flickered to her daughters, then to Elijah, who was already standing and moving to the front door.

“Can the girls go see Echo?” she asked.

“It’s best that they don’t. He’s groggy right now and needs to rest.”

“We can stay, Mom,” the oldest daughter argued, her tone petulant in the way a teenager could produce. “Maybe we can help.”

Chelsea shook her head.

The youngest daughter watched the power struggle with wide hazel eyes.

“Mom,” the oldest begged, the word bound up tight.

Chelsea sighed. “Fine.”

I lifted a questioning eyebrow. It wasn’t until she nodded that I continued, “I’d like to keep him for two nights as I need to monitor his progress. Remi—Dr. Skogman,” I corrected, “has already volunteered to take care of Echo until Monday. I can cover the cost of his treatment today, as well as the hospitalization.”

“Hazel, that’s too much. You have to run your business.”

She wasn’t wrong, but I lifted my chin and rolled my shoulders back. “We’ll be okay. He’s going to need special medicinal food for the next six months, and it is expensive.” I handed her a piece of paper I had folded in my palm. “This is the wholesale price per bag, and how many bags I expect you’ll need over the next few months. The total is at the bottom. Can you cover this expense?”

Chelsea’s features remained blank as she looked at the amount. “I can.”

I believed her, even if I could see her calculate the sacrifices she’d make to afford it. I crossed my legs and leaned forward. “Do you have any more questions?”

“Can I work here?” The oldest caught me off guard.

Chelsea’s head hung toward the floor. “Baby, how many times do we have to go through this? I don’t want you to have a job. You should be worrying about school. Let me worry about the money.”

“Worry about the money?Allyou do is worry about the money. Let me help… I can get a job.”

I interrupted before their argument could go any further. “I don’t have a position you can do right now. Did you ask because you’re interested in animals?”

She nodded sullenly.

“I always loved animals, too. You can always volunteer at the humane society.”

The corner of Chelsea’s mouth quirked up in a prideful smile. “Both girls do actually, a couple of times a month.”

I beamed. “That’s great.”

We went over a few more details before I waved goodbye to them, though they stayed with me while I let Remi know I was leaving. They remained in the back of my mind as Elijah drove to my home. And as I tried to think of a way to tell him I needed to go to sleep—a.k.a. cry in the shower because this family deserved better. This community deserved better.

I didn’t know what else I could do.

“That was very generous of you,” he said after a few moments of silence.

I shrugged.

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