Page 15 of Christmas Shelter

"Has something happened?" asks the volunteer, thrown off balance.

Patricia frowns while Coco wags his tail enthusiastically.

"We've come to finalize the adoption," answers the dog's new owner, "we talked about it last night."

Carlota releases all her held breath and puts a hand to her chest with drama worthy of a novel.

"I thought you had changed your mind," she explains with relief. "Usually, when adopters come with the dog it means they want to return it."

"Like it was a piece of clothing?" asks Patricia, annoyed by people's stupidity.

"Yes, you know humans often leave much to be desired, but please come in, it's too cold for you to be out there."

Coco, as if the enclosure where he spent a few days was his second home, enters at a fast pace while sniffing everything he finds. Patricia feels a wave of nostalgia hit her in this place she had labeled as her temporary prison, and she doesn't understand why because she was only there for a couple of days, but she accepts that she had a better time than she'd thought and that memory will be hard to forget. The veterinarian looks at the cages and wants to greet the furry ones, but realizes they're all empty.

"Where is everyone?" Patricia asks, puzzled.

Carlota, who was pulling a folder from the file cabinet, looks up and connects with her former colleague's gaze.

"They're in the outdoor kennels. They only spend time inside here when there's bad weather and those we can't place in foster homes are safer than outside," Carlota explains.

Patricia nods, she didn't quite understand how the shelter operated. When she was there, Carlota showed her the area where the animals stayed and felt relief when she realized that, at least in this shelter, the space is so well equipped that regardless of the season, the furry ones are comfortable and protected.

"Have you adopted out any others?" Patricia asks with interest.

Carlota smiles and her nose wrinkles in such a funny gesture that Patricia finds herself staring like a fool.

"Melcocha has a new home," she comments, happy. "We had received an application for his adoption and, after reviewing it, we approved it. It's a family from Zamora, all adults and with a house that has all the amenities for him and his condition. They want to give him happiness for whatever time he has left, you know he's sick and we don't know how long he'll last. The couple's oldest son is a veterinarian and will handle his follow-up care."

Patricia feels that wave of indescribable happiness again, like the one she experienced that morning with Coco and soon discovers that this feeling comes from finding a better quality of life for animals that are homeless. The veterinarian decides she'll find time to collaborate with ashelter, as a professional she has all the tools, but as a person who loves animals she can do much more.

"Do you mind if I make myself some coffee?" Patricia asks after suppressing a yawn. "This gentleman here made me wake up earlier than I intended."

Carlota lets out a nasal laugh and looks at Coco with affection.

"I'll make it for you, so I can make one for myself too," answers the volunteer walking toward the machine.

Carlota takes out the cups and serves the hot drink. The smell enters her nostrils and she takes advantage of this moment, while her back is to Patricia, to take several breaths to calm herself. It's hard for her to maintain composure when she's with her former college classmate because it's really difficult to discover what her attitude will be toward her after seeing that one day she's somewhat friendly and another she's completely standoffish. She turns to hand over the coffee and, to her misfortune, their fingers brush causing Carlota to nearly drop the cup. But she's not the only one who felt that sharp pinch with the contact, Patricia experienced it too and, if there were already things she didn't understand, now she's completely thrown off balance.

Both try to hide it as best they can, one blowing on the cup and the other looking at the liquid to avoid eye contact. The discomfort is palpable and it's Patricia who decides to speak because since she ran into Carlota at the Christmas shop, she's had a pending conversation with her.

"Hey, I'm sorry I was so rude that day we saw each other," Patricia blurts out and Carlota looks at her. "Sometimes I don't even understand the responses I give to people."

Carlota feels a pleasant murmur in her chest.

"Don't worry, it's forgotten."

Patricia smiles in response and winks at her naturally making Carlota's heart flip and speed up worryingly.

"What are you going to do these remaining holiday days?" asks the volunteer, who needs to fill the silences before she goes crazy.

"I'm going to resume my trip to Gibraltar. The shame is that it'll only be two days, but I really want to see that place and visit my friends, so it'll be worth it, even if it's for a short time."

Carlota's eyes light up in a way that really catches Patricia's attention.

"It must be beautiful at Christmas. I was in London two years ago for the holidays and the decorations and markets are amazing," the volunteer says, "if you like Christmas even a little bit like I do, you're going to love it. I hope you'll show me the photos next time we meet."

Patricia doesn't know what's happening to her, but her pulse has quickened and she feels her head throbbing. An unknown force—and terrifying one—pushes her to open her mouth and, although she fights it, her tongue moves freely without her being able to control it.

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