Page 44 of Why We Break

“Hello,” I answer, without checking the caller ID.

“Hey, Hannah, this is Dr. Ava from the emergency vet; how are you?” the voice on the other end says.

“Hey, Dr. Ava,” I reply. “How are you?”

“Oh, I’m good! I was just driving by your farm after I got called out over this way, and I wanted to check in on how you and your calf were doing. I know it’s been a couple of weeks since I talked to you, and I just wanted to see how you were holding up.”

I reach down for my calf, giving her some love while she finishes her bottle before responding. “We’re good. She’s such a sweet thing, and I haven’t noticed any of the things you warned me about when we talked a couple weeks ago.”

“Great, I’m glad to hear it. All the other animals doing okay?” she asks, and I smile at her question. The vets before her definitely didn’t call to do wellness checks on the farm, and I love how helpful she is.

“Yeah, Leroy’s as big of a pain as ever, but we both know I love him to death for it,” I tell her, causing her to laugh. “And all the cows and the horses seem to be doing great. I tried that new feed you suggested, and they love it.”

As I talk, Ruby finishes her bottle, so I take it from her and toss it over the side of the pen before sitting down in the fresh hay I put out a few minutes ago to love on her for a few minutes. Watching me, she bounces around on her hooves in excitement while I reach out to nuzzle her nose.

“Leroy’s certainly a handful, but he’s such a sweet little fella. I fell in love when you brought him in for his yearly check-up this summer. And I’m glad to hear that…” Dr. Ava pauses, just as the calf lets out another loud moo of contentment. “Oh, I must have interrupted dinner time, huh?”

I chuckle while Ruby attempts to get as close as she can to me until she’s almost in my lap. “You’re fine! She just finished and now she’s seeing how close she can get to me without standing on me.”

Ruby continues to snuggle closer to me, and I pat her gently before pulling the phone back to whisper to her, “Sweet girl, you know I love you, but you do weigh a couple hundred pounds.”

“Calf cuddles are probably one of my favorites,” the doctor says, before adding, “but anyway, I won’t keep you. I’ve been meaning to call and check on everything for the last few weeks, but we’ve been slammed. I know you’ve got your hands full, but I’m always here if you need something. After I got divorced last year, I realized how hard it is to do all this stuff by yourself.”

“Oh, Dr. Ava, I really appreciate it. It’s been a lot, but we’re getting there. Let’s grab dinner or something soon?”

“Sure, I’d like that. Anyway, I’ve gotta run, but I’ll talk to you later,” she answers before ending the call.

Putting my phone to the side, I rub my hands over Ruby’s hair, mumbling to her, “You know, sweet girl, I know it feels like it’s us against the world sometimes, but I really think we’re gonna make it.”

Ruby moos in agreement, and I lean my head back against the gate, looking out at the farm that stretches for miles around us.

“I don’t know about you, Rubes, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else either. We’ve got everything we need right? Don’t we, girl?”

“Oh my God, what a game!”Caroline says as we step onto the bus Friday night. We just came out on top against the Huntsville Hornets and we’re officially headed to the semi playoffs.

“Right? I can’t believe that pass Blake made at the end of the third! And that we went into triple overtime! I’ve literally never experienced anything like it! It was fun, but I’m freaking exhausted!” I tell her, leaning my head against the back seat of the bus.

“Oh, same. I’m just so glad the boosters worked out hotel rooms for this one. I can’t imagine making the four-hour drive tonight! It’s already almost midnight!”

I look down at my watch and see she’s right. Considering I’ve been up since five and spent the whole day teaching, it’s no wonder I feel dead on my feet.

We ride for a few more minutes, and I smile at the fact that it’s completely silent on the bus for once. Clearly, the girls are as worn out as we are, and by the time we pull up to the hotel, several of them are already asleep.

“All right, girls, I know it’s been a long day, but we’re here. Grab your stuff and meet us in the lobby. We’ll give you your keys and head up from there,” Caroline announces, and I stay behind to help them while Caroline goes in to get the keys before the team gets here.

Once we’re all inside, she gathers the girls around and says, “Okay, I’m about to pass out the keys, and I expect you all to go straight to the room and stay there until breakfast at eight in the morning. Do you understand?”

The girls nod, and I add, “Remember, we’re trusting you because it’s such a long way from Springside, but if we hear one word about you being out of your rooms or doing something you aren’t supposed to be, you’ll be dismissed from the team and face disciplinary actions at school. Is that clear?”

The girls all say, “Yes ma’am,” and Caroline hands me half of the keys to pass out. Once we’re sure everyone knows where we’re going, the girls head upstairs, and she hands me an extra key.

“Since Taylor’s sick and Jenny wanted to stay in a different room instead of being alone, we have an extra. I know we were gonna share, but there’s no use in leaving it empty.”

“Thanks,” I say, reaching out and slipping the key into my pocket. “You think we’re gonna have any problems out of them tonight?”

“Honestly, I’m not worried. I mean I know they’re teenagers and that usually comes with some questionable choices, but they know we’re serious about removing them, and plus, they all looked pretty dead on their feet. We’ll keep an ear out, but I really think it’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, that’s kinda how I’m feeling too,” I admit. “And I’m as wiped as they are so I’m about to head up. But I’ll make sure my phone ringer is on loud so you can call and wake me up if you need me.”

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