again. Finally, Alice stood and started cleaning up.
Shelby hugged her legs to her chest and stared out the window. The running ramp and red fire hydrant looked lost in the yard without the dogs. The lake glistened like most summer mornings and she could see boats entering the water. Life went on no matter what happened. It didn’t seem right sometimes.
The phone rang and everyone jumped. Shelby turned to Theo. “Do you want me to get it?”
Theo stood. “I’ll do it.” He hurried over to the counter and hesitated before picking it up and saying hello.
Shelby and Alice kept their eyes glued to him as they caught pieces of conversation, Wally’s name, and a few questions. Theo grabbed a pen and paper, took notes, and then hung up. Shelby held her breath, waiting to find out the results.
“He’s coming home in a few days. He’s doing well,” Theo said.
Shelby could see the relief visually wash over their friend. She jumped up from her chair and hugged him. “That’s great news!”
Theo turned to Alice. She held out her arms and he fell into them. He laid his head on Alice’s shoulder and she gently patted his back.
Shelby sniffed back happy tears and a good amount of relief. Everything would be fine, she told herself. Go back to normal. Her new normal she loved so much here.
“Let’s sit back down,” Theo said, “and I’ll tell you what the vet said.”
They gathered around Theo as he explained that Wally had some heart issues causing fluid to build up in his lungs and cause the coughing and difficulty breathing. But the good news was that he was responding well to the two medications. If his progress continued today, Wally would be ready to go home after spending a couple more nights there.
“Dr. Harris was very hopeful,” Theo continued. “She said Wally ate a good breakfast and was flirting with all the girls at the office.”
“Of course,” Shelby said. “He’s such a cutie.”
“Do you mind if I call Trevor and let him know,” Alice asked.
“Go right ahead,” Theo said.
After speaking with Trevor and making sure Theo was all right, Alice and Shelby packed up to go home. With all that was going on, Shelby had barely had time to think about her mother’s call and the impending changes that might bring. She pushed the thought away. There was plenty of time to deal with her mother later. And there was a good chance Dana would change her mind anyway. She remembered to text Logan and briefly let him know what was going on.
“I’m leaving the thermos and eggs for you,” Alice said. “Promise us you will go and get some rest.”
Theo walked them to the door. “I promise.”
Alice continued. “As soon as you know the pick-up time, Shelby and I will drive you over to get your boy.”
“Are you sure?” Theo asked. “It’s a long drive.”
“We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Alice said.
A few days later, they were on their way to pick up Wally. Trevor was teaching a class at Lakeside Veterans Center that morning and he had offered to cancel it and come along, but Alice had said she could handle it. Shelby was amazed to see her grandmother willing to drive such a long distance with no hesitation whatsoever. Alice’s days of never leaving home were certainly behind her. Shelby had insisted Theo sit in the front on the way there. For the ride home, Wally’s bed was waiting for him in the back seat and Theo would be at his side.
Shelby listened to her grandmother and Theo chat in the front seat. Theo kindly apologized to Alice for his impoliteness the other day when she’d brought him the pie. Alice insisted there was no need, and she totally understood. Shelby was relieved to see the two of them friends again. There was enough heartache going around. For a moment it was like the old days riding along with Grandma Alice and Grandpa Stan. They’d always seemed content and enjoyed being together. Shelby thought about Logan. He’d been concerned when she’d texted him about Wally and Theo and asked if she needed anything. Next time they spoke she was going to ask how he was doing too.
Once inside the animal hospital, they were brought into a private room. Alice and Shelby sat, but Theo insisted on standing. The air conditioner blew steadily on them, and the chill added to Shelby’s nerves as they waited. When the door opened, the vet entered