Page 48 of Nate

“Thank you.”

“If you’re ready to check out, I’ll carry this to the front for you.”

“I am. I appreciate that.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He carried the box to the register and set it down for the cashier. “Do you need help carrying out?”

“No, but thank you for asking. I’ll just put it in the cart.”

“Yes, ma’am. You have a good evening.”

“Thanks, you too.”

He nodded and walked off to help someone else. Wonderful customer service and that mattered to her. She knew she’d come back again, if only for cat food and litter.

After paying for everything, she pushed the cart out to her SUV, unloaded it, then drove home. She couldn’t wait to get the kitten.

Once she got home and unloaded everything except the crate, she went into the hospital through the back door, turned off the alarm, and locked the door. She really didn’t like coming in here alone at night, but sometimes it couldn’t be helped. There were animals that needed to be checked on at times and since she lived upstairs, it was easier for her to do it rather than having Tess drive into town.

Flipping on the lights as she walked down the hallway, she checked on the dog and two cats that had surgery earlier. All looked fine, so she went to the room where the kitten was.

“Hi, baby,” she said, as she set the crate on the floor and smiled when the kitten meowed at her. “I’m taking you home with me. I think we’ll get along just fine.”

Markie unhooked the latch, pulled the kitten out and smiled when she heard it purring.

“I’m going to name you, Socks since it looks like you’re wearing them.” She laughed when the kitten looked at her and meowed.

After putting Socks in the crate, Markie made her way to the back door, turning out the lights as she did. She set the alarm, opened the back door, stepped out, then locked it behind her. She carried the crate up the steps, unlocked her door, and entered her apartment.

She left the cat in the crate while she put the litterbox together. Then she lifted her out, and showed her where the litterbox was located, and of course, Socks used it. At least she knew what to do in it. Maybe she’d been litter trained but to get rid of a cat because it meowed too much just boggled Markie’s mind.

“I’m going to get out of these clothes.” She walked to her bedroom. When she looked over her shoulder, she saw the kitten following her.

Once she changed, she made herself a sandwich, sat on the sofa, and watched TV. She picked up her phone and called Sydney.

“Hey, girl,” Sydney said when she answered.

“I’m not sure what to wear to dinner Saturday with Nate.”

“Anything you want. Some people dress up, others go in jeans. It’s whatever you want to wear, but if it were me, I’d dress up.”

“I’d like to. I have a white dress with red trim.”

“I hope you have a pair of stilettos.”

“I have a red pair.”

“Oooh, woman, you will knock his socks off.” Sydney laughed.

“I want to knock off more than his socks,” Markie said.

“I’m so glad you two got past all that stuff.”

“Me too. I can’t apologize to him enough. You were right, he is a great guy.”

“Maybe you’ll start listening to me.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Markie laughed when Sydney did.

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