Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

CHARLIE

Four weeks. It's been four weeks since I moved to Grimsby, and I knew Uncle Henry didn't have much longer to live. Townsfolk kept asking if the vet clinic would reopen soon, because they now had to make the forty-five-minute drive to Draycott, and the vet there was more expensive. Also, a lot of the local shifters visited him too.

What could I tell them? The only answer I had was 'I don't know'. There was no way Uncle Henry was up to seeing patients. Who could I possibly find to take his place?

Then, like a light bulb lit up, I had an epiphany. Cait! I knew she hadn't found a residency yet, so maybe I could entice her to come to Grimsby and be the new veterinarian.

Then I got an email from her with a list of residencies that were hours and hours away.

I’m out of options. There's no residency close. And now the shelter is closed. Help me choose.

Oh, hell no! This required a phone call.

“What do you mean you're out of options? Why didn't you tell me what was going on before now? Damn it, Cait! You know I'd give you the shirt off my back if you needed it," I admonished.

“Yes, and that's exactly why I didn't tell you. With your move and your uncle, you didn't need more crap piled on. I was hoping something nearby would open up. So, I just waited. This really sucks. I don't want to leave the eastern states. Everybody I care about is here, but I don't see another option," Cait replied.

“Yeah, well, it's lucky for you I have another option for you. Come here to Grimsby. My Uncle Henry is dying. There's no way he can reopen his clinic, and people are already getting tired of driving forty-five-minutes away, and paying higher vet fees just to get their animals taken care of. We'll sign the title to the clinic over to you and it'll be all yours. Besides, didn't you say you wanted to be a shifter doctor? This is your chance. Grimsby is made up of like 99.9% shifters.” I waited for her response.

“Are you serious?" she practically yelled into the phone. "Please don't be fucking me with me right now, girl. But where would I live? Seriously details, girl! I need details.”

“Serious as a heart attack. You know I wouldn't fuck with you about something like this. The clinic is small. It only has three exam rooms and kennels for up to six animals. As for where you would live, Uncle Henry’s house has four bedrooms and only two are being used. You could stay here, of course.

“I will probably have to clear it with the town elders since they only let trusted humans in. From what I've heard, there's a spell that keeps the town hidden from humans who aren't invited in. Anyway, I can do that tomorrow after the grand opening of Brewed Awakening.”

“Wait, what? Grand opening? You're finally opening your coffee shop!? Oh damn! I am so proud of you. Well, regardless, I'll start packing whether it's to move there or west. Give me a call after you talk to the council? And I could be there in a week after I wrap everything up here. If that's okay with you and them?”

“Yeah, I'm sorry I forgot to tell you. Between getting the shop up and running and taking care of Uncle Henry at night, I've been super busy. I'll let you know as soon as I have an answer. Talk to you soon, girl.”

After hanging up with Cait, I got online and scheduled the meeting with the elders before I went to check on Uncle Henry.

“Hey, Charlie girl,” he said weakly when I sat down next to his bed.

“Hey, Uncle Henry. How are you feeling tonight?” I asked gently.

“Eh, still this side of pushing up daisies. Barely,” he replied.

I squeezed his hand lightly. “I need to talk to you about something.”

“I'm not going into a home,” he grumbled.

“What? No! That's not what I want to talk about. I would never put you in a home.”

“What's on your mind then?” he asked.

“It's about the clinic. We both know you're not going to be able to go back to work. My best friend, Cait, is a vet. I've invited her here. I'm going to sign the deed to the clinic over to her. I know I have to talk to the elders first—I'm going to do that tomorrow after the grand opening—but she'll do right by the people of Grimsby and their pets.”

I watched Uncle Henry for his reaction.

“Okay,” he replied.

“Okay?” I questioned.

“You're right. I'm not going back. It's time I accept that. My time on this Earth is almost up and the town needs a vet. I trust your judgment.”

“Thank you,” I said, relieved.

“I know I haven't said it yet, so thank you Charlie girl, for uprooting your life to come take care of me.”

A tear slipped out of the corner of his eye and I wiped it away.

“You don't have to thank me for that, Uncle Henry. That's what family is supposed to do for each other.”

He chuckled weakly. “Too bad your father doesn't think that way,” he said and coughed.

“Yeah, well, I'm not exactly his biggest fan.” I hadn't talked to my father in a decade. The day I'd turned eighteen he'd served my mom with divorce papers. Turns out, he'd been planning to leave since I was thirteen. He was just waiting for me to be an adult. He already had another family started.

“Yeah. James is an ass,” Uncle Henry grumbled.

“His loss,” I said with a shrug. “You should get some sleep,” I told him. I couldn’t miss him blinking his tired eyes to stay awake. He needed his rest.

“Okay, sweet girl,” he mumbled with a tired voice

I sat there until he was asleep before I headed up to my bedroom where I changed into pajamas. I made sure the monitor was on so I could hear if Uncle Henry needed me and then settled down for bed. I had an early and full day ahead of me.