Page 694 of Filthy Elites

Riley rolled her eyes when Cade stopped to check out his hair in a shiny metallic surface of a paper towel dispenser.

Xander pushed him down the hallway. “You still look like shit, that didn’t change.”

“Kiss it, asshat.”

Kelsey ignored them. “The operating and recovery rooms are at the end of the hallway. Dr Hogan does surgeries on Fridays unless there’s an emergency. You’ve met the two nurses, Mark and Dana. They both assist with all medical procedures.”

The building was set up in a large square within a square, with two parallel hallways running around the perimeter. One wing was for dogs and the other for cats and various other animals. “You would be surprised at the various different animals that have been brought into the shelter. We’ve had emus, alpacas, hawks, a baby alligator, deer, a fox, and even a tiger cub.”

Riley stopped and turned to face Kelsey. “Seriously? A tiger?”

Kelsey grinned. “Yes. I was here when it was brought in by an animal control officer. There had been a raid on a drug dealer’s house, and they found several pit bulls, numerous snakes, and the tiger cub. All the animals had been severely neglected and needed medical attention before they could be adopted out or in the case of the tiger, sent to a large animal rescue that was equipped to deal with large cats. The tiger stayed with us for a few weeks before being sent to the Popcorn Park Zoo.”

Adrian leaned against the wall. “I’ve been there. It’s on the way to the Jersey shore. They have all kinds of misfit, rescued, or recovering animals. Most of them have story cards at their pens and a whole bunch of the more docile animals wander around the grounds. You can buy popcorn and feed it to them.”

Xander nodded. “I think I was there as a kid. It was pretty cool. I remember feeding some deer out of my hand.”

“I love visiting there.” Kelsey smiled at the memory but schooled her features when she realized everyone was looking directly at her. “The kitten room is next and it’s usually the most popular. The cats are housed next to it. Xander, you and Riley can start in the cat room. The cats are held in cages at night but most of them are allowed to remain free during the day. There are a few interconnecting rooms that have litter boxes. These rooms will need to be cleaned and fresh litter added.”

Kelsey handed out rubber gloves. “There are cleaning supplies in this closet along with litter. The scoops are hanging on the wall above the shelves. There’s a large trash can outside the side entrance near the cat wing. All doors need to be closed before going outside and make sure none of the cats follow you into the hallway. They will make a run for it if you let them. Ronda is in there and will show you what to do.”

Xander clapped his hands together. “Come on Ri, I’ll ‘be singin’ the blues while the lady cats cry.’”

Riley rolled her eyes. “You’re so weird.”

Dr. Hogan had come up behind them. “I love that song!”

Riley frowned. “That’s a song?”

Dr. Hogan felt decades older than the college students even though less than ten years separated them. “Stray Cats Strut by the Stray Cats. They were an eighties’ band.”

Xander winked at her and belted out a few more bars of the song. “It’s one of my mom’s favorites.”

Dr. Hogan grinned. “It’s perfect.” She led Xander and Riley into one of the cat rooms.

Kelsey had recognized the song Xander was singing, but she had been more focused on his incredible voice. Wow. The boy could sing. She shook her head and turned to Cade and Adrian. “We need to continue on to the next wing.”

They walked through a heavy door that separated the cats from the dogs.

“Cade, you and Adrian can start with the dog kennels. Their pens and rooms will need to be cleaned and the outside dog runs will need to be swept and scooped.” Kelsey motioned for them to follow her.

Adrian took a deep breath. It was going to be a long evening. Kelsey was speaking quickly and avoiding any eye contact with him. She was also going out of her way to stay as far away from him as possible.

He couldn’t believe his rotten luck. When he found out he had to work at an animal shelter and hospital, he thought maybe his community service hours wouldn’t be horrible. Adding Kelsey to the situation destroyed his hopes and reminded him that life was never kind to him.

“Did you hear me?” Kelsey waved her hand in front of his face.

He hadn’t been paying attention. “What?”

“Maybe you should find somewhere else to do your community service.”

“Why? Can’t handle me being here with you?”

Kelsey clenched her jaw. She was not going to argue with him. “Come with me. You can get started with the outside areas.”

She stopped by the closet next to the side door and pulled out a large shovel-looking tool with a claw at the bottom and a pressure lever handle that opened and closed it. “This is for you.”

Adrian could tell she was enjoying this. “Bring it on.” He took the dog crap shovel from her and headed outside.

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