Page 6 of Christmas Shelter

"You've established a good connection," Carlota says, smiling because she notices the dog's behavior.

Patricia says nothing, tilts her head, and fixes her gaze back on the window. Carlota rolls her eyes and closes the backpack before disappearing into the bathroom. She spends about five minutes there and curses herself for choosing such a childish pajama right when that demon doll is staying at the shelter with her. Insecurity crawls up her neck and makes her nervous; at least the top is loose enough to hide the extra pounds that make her feel so ashamed. She wrings her hands, takes a deep breath, and opens the door to head straight for the corner where she keeps the folding cot and sleeping bag.

"There's plenty of room here for both of us. I used to sleep on the floor in the sleeping bag, but a volunteer donated this bed, and it's been amazing," Carlota explains while setting everything up for sleep. "Plus, I got this heated pad that keeps you from getting cold at all."

Patricia listens but her eyes only search for something to cover herself with tonight; there's no way she'll sleep with the woman who stole that job she wanted so badly because her uncle pulled strings. She spots some blankets and strides toward them under Carlota's watchful eye.

"I'll sleep on the couch with these blankets," the cardiologist declares.

Carlota raises her eyebrows and shakes her head. She's slept at the shelter many times and knows exactly how cold it gets. If Patricia doesn't bundle up well, in a few hours she'll be so numb she won't be able to sleep, but she won't insist.

"Suit yourself," Carlota responds, tired of trying to be nice to her former classmate who's being so rude.

Two hours later, Patricia Burnet curses her stubbornness. She's like a stiff board under the blankets, her legs and back ache because, although the couch is comfortable, it's not made for sleeping. She watches how Carlota has been breathing with enviable calm for a long time because as soon as she got into the sleeping bag, she closed her eyes and fell asleep. The cardiologist can't take it anymore; she'd resisted, but she's so cold she feels she'll break in two if she doesn't do something about it. She gets up as best she can and walks to the bed, approaches Carlota, and tries to guess if she's a light sleeper or one of those who doesn't notice anything.

"Are you asleep?" Patricia whispers, feeling foolish.

In response, Carlota moves slightly and lifts part of the sleeping bag so Patricia can slip in. The cardiologistimmediately feels a warmth that comforts her and sighs at the comfort that's even better than her own bed. Carlota falls back asleep in seconds and lets out murmurs very similar to soft snoring that might drive anyone crazy, but not Patricia, whose eyes start to close slowly as if listening to a lullaby.

In the morning, Carlota wakes up early as usual. Moreover, when she's at the shelter, she gets up earlier than normal to properly care for all the animals. She needs to take them out of their cages so they can walk and do their business, and in times like these when a storm has reached them, the situation gets complicated, and she can only take them to a space in the back that has a roof to shelter them from rain and snow, but not from the cold. When she tries to get out of bed, she feels a warm hand on her side and realizes it's Patricia who's almost hugging her from behind. A flush hits Carlota's body, and she decides to move carefully to avoid waking her up. She fails in her attempt because as soon as she moves her arms, Patricia wakes up and, as if touching a hot iron, withdraws her hand so quickly she almost rolls onto the floor.

"Good morning," Carlota says nervously and stands up.

"Hi," Patricia responds with a raspy voice.

She was deeply asleep until a movement woke her up. She was going to stay curled up there when she realized her traitorous hand was on her former college classmate. Patricia wishes, more than anything in the world, that the snow has stopped and she can get her car out to flee fromthe shelter and from Carlota. She stands up and approaches the window. Things seem to have calmed down.

"Will you help me get the car out?" Patricia asks suddenly.

Carlota doesn't stop what she's doing, but she's annoyed by the rush the other veterinarian always seems to be in.

"You'll have to wait until I finish the animals' routine. If you want to leave now, help me and we'll finish sooner."

Patricia doesn't think twice, puts on her shoes, goes to the bathroom, and then comes out to share the work with Carlota. Once they've taken the cats to their litter boxes and let the dogs out, both veterinarians serve breakfast while the coffee maker indicates it's ready. Once again, the coordination between them is exquisite, and in a few minutes, they each have a cup in hand while watching the animals devour the contents of their bowls.

"Come on, let's see if we can move the car," Carlota says while putting her cup on the table.

Patricia nods and copies her. They put on their coats and head to the front door. The cold hits them, and although it has stopped snowing, the white blanket remains a major obstacle.

"Damn," Patricia exclaims and zips her coat up to her chin.

"It's still too early to get your car out," Carlota says while surveying everything.

"We have to try," the cardiologist responds, determined to leave now.

Carlota and Patricia start walking and have barely taken ten steps when the volunteer's foot sinks up to her calf. She stands still and looks at her former colleague who twists her expression once again because besides noticing that the snow is very high, she spots part of her car covered in it.

"This is a nightmare," Patricia lets out with a snort.

"Storms are like this, you need patience."

"I have little of that," the cardiologist responds and turns around. "Let's go inside, we'll wait a few hours."

Half a meter from reaching the door, Patricia, who's sulking without paying attention, suddenly loses her balance and stretches out her hand looking for something to hold onto to avoid falling. Carlota, who wasn't prepared for the jolt, slips, and both women fall backward into the snow. Neither has been hurt, the white blanket cushioned the fall, but Carlota can't help letting out a laugh because she finds the situation hilarious, especially seeing Patricia fall to the ground almost in slow motion.

"I wish we had cameras on this side," Carlota says, choking with laughter.

Patricia catches the contagious laughter and starts laughing with her colleague until she realizes she's lowered those walls she's built around herself when it comes to the veterinarian who stole her job. She sits up and stands to shake off the snow. Carlota sits up, but it's harder for her to get up, so she extends a hand for Patricia to help her, and the cardiologist, though she's rude, takes it because she'd never deny help to anyone. When their palms join,a sensation of fullness embraces them both. It's so intense that both veterinarians are disconcerted, and once Carlota is standing, they let go quickly and hurry inside at a brisk pace.

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