Page 14 of Spindrift

Stevieslapped Morgan cheerfully on the back and made a beeline for the kitchen.

“What’sup?” Morgan asked as she settled into the spare chair in Danielle’s office.Danielle owned and managed the clinic, but she also saw appointments as needed.Today, she looked like a woman who had been puked on and/or shat on by too manyfractious animals.

“Stillno luck finding another ambulatory vet. Or even someone interested in a mixedpractice with ambulatory on-call duties.” She took off her glasses and rubbedher eyes. “I know you need a break, Morgan.”

“I’mhanging in there.”

“Wecould start referring clients to the Davis Clinic.”

“Idon’t want to lose clients just because Sellers left us in the lurch.” Dr.Sellers’s abrupt resignation still rankled. She’d trusted him. Bailing withoutwarning was unprofessional at best, and she wasn’t feeling generous: it was ashit thing to do.

“AndI don’t want you burning out. I’m cutting you back to weekends and Wednesdaysfor emergency services. That gives you three nights off.”

“I’mfine.” The words reminded her of Emilia, and she deflated in her chair. Shewasn’t fine. She was exhausted and needed a break, even if it meant some oftheir clients switched to Davis Animal Clinic.

“It’snonnegotiable. Tired doctors make mistakes.”

“Iknow. I just don’t understand why no one’s biting. Have you had any phoneinterviews?”

“Afew, but the wrong personalities. We need someone willing to stay here for morethan a year, and the job market for spouses is nonexistent unless they’rewilling to commute to Portland.”

Noneof this was news. That was why Maine was called Vacationland. People came tovisit, not to stay.

“Keepme posted.”

“Iwill.”

“Andhold still.” Morgan snapped a picture of Danielle in her cat sweater and sentit to Danielle’s wife.

“Getout of my office, Donovan.”

Morganfound Stevie by a wilting bouquet of fruit and ornamental kale.

“Isaved you a strawberry,” said Stevie.

“Thanks.Find anything else?”

“Brownies.Counter.”

Morganpeeled back a sheet of tinfoil to reveal a tray of homemade goodness. Perks ofthe job. At least on the road she and Stevie were not exposed to sugar andcarbs all day long like the small animal staff. No wonder Lillian ran everyday. She shoved a brownie into her mouth and accepted the last strawberry.

“Justkill me,” Lillian Lee said from behind them. She sank onto one of the stools atthe table and rested her chin on her hand to stare mournfully at Morgan. A fewstrands of her black hair escaped her ponytail, and dog hair covered herclothes.

“What’sup?” Morgan asked Lillian.

“Thisdog’s pressures. They aren’t responding to anything, and the owners don’t wantto go to optho, but they also don’t want to remove the eye.”

“Fruit?”Morgan gestured at a sagging cantaloupe.

“Nothanks. Unless it’s soaked in vodka?”

“Sorry.But Danielle is making me take a few nights off, so I’ll buy you a drinklater.”

“Bybuy me a drink I hope you mean bring me a beer while I turn to mush on thecouch.”

“Deal.”

“Dr.Lee?” an assistant called from a treatment room.

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