“Seems to me, the best way of achieving that would be to make Horse Tessie’s driving instructor. Yeah, they’d be spending time together, but it wouldn’t be fun for him at all. And, chances are, he wouldn’t survive it, and Taja wouldn’t have to worry anymore about him and Tessie,” Chubs advises with a smirk.
“You rat bastard!” shouts Horse while slamming his beer down on the bar and turning shocked eyes to Chubs.
“You were overheard volunteering me to be her instructor the other day, and that shit’s not happening. My solution will give Vex some payback and keep me whole at the same time. What do you think, Vex?” Chubs says with an evil grin.
“I like how you think, Chubs. Horse, you can start her lessons tomorrow in the field behind my house. Be there at 8am and bring your truck,” Vex states with a huge smile before he turns and walks off.
“Do I have to do this?” Horse questions while looking at me and Chubs.
“Yep,” we answer at the same time.
“Why would you throw me under the bus like that, Chubs?” Horse whines.
“You tried to do it to me. I just play the game better than you. Word of advice, Horse. Don’t fuck with The Chubs. I’ll win every time,” Chubs answers with a chuckle before he too walks off.
“That curly-haired bastard has an evil side,” Horse complains.
“Yes, he does. If you die tomorrow, I’m taking your room at the house. It’s bigger than mine.”
“If I end up brain dead, pull the plug,” Horse says with a sigh.
“Happy to honor your last wish, brother,” I answer with a grin as I drain my beer and stand.
Meeting’s over, and I have a rescue to check in on. I walk out, straddle my bike, and leave the compound.
Watching Ivy make her rounds, I frown. I don’t know what’s bothering me, but something is. Something seems off with her, even though I can’t say what. She’s working, as usual, chatting up all the animals, and all seems fine, but at the same time, something isn’t. Instead of calling it a night, I settle more firmly in my chair, turn up the volume and continue watching.
“How you doing tonight, Batman?” Ivy asks when she stops in front of a stall containing an extremely large, black pig.
The name card clearly states “Fred,” but Ivy often gives out nicknames when she doesn’t think the animal’s name matches their personality.
The pig grunts several times before heaving himself to his feet and waddling to the front of the stall. He waits patiently for Ivy to hand him a carrot chunk. For as large as he is, he takes the carrot delicately from her hand. Receiving a head pat, he grunts again before Ivy moves to the next stall.
“How’s it shaking, Miss Jiggles? You’re looking like a superstar tonight,” Ivy says to the smaller, black and white pig named Mary.
Miss Jiggles squeals and does a couple of twirls before coming to a stop in front of Ivy. Placing her front feet on the edge of a bottom board, she stretches up for her cuddle and treat. Miss Jiggles is an unusually loud pig. All pigs can be loud, but she can top the best of them with earsplitting squeals.
Ivy spends a few minutes complaining to Miss Jiggles about how much laundry she’s got to do and how a new dog came to the rescue today. Miss Jiggles appears to listen closely and adds a grunt or squeal at somewhat appropriate times.
“I’ll check back before I leave, sweetie. Thanks for the chat,” Ivy states as she moves to the next stall.
When she reaches the final stall, the occupants greet her in a loud chorus of pig talk.
This stall has several piglets from the same litter, and they’re bouncing their rubbery little bodies in anticipation. Ivy doesn’t disappoint.
“Piggy Smalls, Squealy Dan, Elvis Pigsley, and Piggy Davis Jr.! How’s my favorite boy band doing? Who loves you? Who loves your little snouts? I do! Everyone does! You’re the kings of the musical world! Sing it out! Sing it to me!” Ivy greets them in an excited voice while clapping her hands.
This sends the piglets into a noisy, frothing frenzy of motion, with each trying to get Ivy’s attention first. Each competes with the others in noise level and movement. Ivy opens the gate, walks in, and sits down in the center of the stall. Instantly, she’s got piglets climbing on her, rutting against her legs and neck, squealing in delight.
Eventually, the piglets tire themselves out, and each finds a spot to cuddle close to Ivy. She talks softly to each while handing out affectionate pats and scratches. I find myself smiling at how she takes this extra time with the little ones and how much they look forward to it.
I grew up on a farm, so I understand animals too. None of ours were pets, though. If they didn’t have a job or weren’t there for food, they weren’t allowed. My dad wouldn’t even allow a barn cat. To him, feeding something that wasn’t going to bring him a profit was ridiculous. At first, when a stray cat would appear, I did my best to keep it hidden and fed. After my dad found out the first few times, I quit doing it. I’d scare the cat away even when it seemed cruel to do so. It was a lot less cruel than what my dad would do when he found them. I learned at a young age not to show an animal love, or I’d have to listen to one of my dad’s lectures. Lectures that usually involved a beating or two to make sure the point was made.
I think Ivy’s love and admiration for animals is the main reason I like watching the rescue cameras. She shows them love unashamedly and without reserve. All the employees are obvious animal lovers, but Ivy takes it a few steps further. She engages with them above and beyond her duties. She has an affinity with them that the others lack. She has a way with the animals that puts them at ease, even the scared and skittish ones. I know Ava and Reno have nothing but respect for Ivy, and that’s saying something since both are very particular about animal treatment. Craig sings Ivy’s praises every time he visits the rescue with Ava, Reno, or Chubs. I always smile when Craig gets to visit because he can barely stand still wanting to make sure he gets to see every single animal there. He thinks up projects for the Devil’s members to do just so he can come along too. The little guy is an ornery little shit some days but never to any animal. Usually, it’s just to Axel, and that’s always amusing for the rest of us.
Focusing back in on the monitors, I realize what’s been bothering me. Ivy seems to be favoring her left arm some. She’s moving a little stiff, too. I lean forward and continue watching. After a few more minutes, I realize I’m right. Ivy’s injured, not seriously, but now I’m concerned and wondering how it happened. Thinking back, I realize this isn’t the first time I’ve noticed injuries on her. I know nothing of her home life. I only know what I see on the rescue cameras and what little I’ve heard when helping on a project at the rescue. Now that I think about it, I don’t even know if she’s in college, single, living with someone, or what her life outside of there consists of. Not that it’s any of my business, but now that I know she’s been injured again, I’m curious. Bike accident? Car? Fall down the steps or trip over a curb? Boyfriend?
On that thought, I mentally stop myself from thinking about it anymore. I watch her closely for a few more minutes, note that it’s not a serious injury, just some stiffness, and I switch off the monitors. Closing down my laptop, I leave the building. Time to head home, eat, and hit my bed. I briefly think about hitting up the club’s strip club, but the thought doesn’t appeal to me at all. Unless I’m helping out there, I seldom find myself pulling into the lot anymore.