And, despite everything that’s happened since I left the horse fair on Saturday, I haven't been able to get Josie out of my head. The way she looked at me with her eyes narrowed still gets under my skin. I've never been so vexed by a single person before that it's unnerving. At least work will keep me busy today, while my appointment schedule is more spread out than usual since my two new vets are seeing clients today. I made sure to leave room in my own schedule in case they needed assistance in some way; though, I have full confidence in them.
In an attempt to fully wake up, I go for a quick run with my German Shepherd, Piper, before coming back to the house, showering, grabbing something quick to eat, and then heading across the driveway to the clinic. The techs are already there opening and getting ready for the day. I fill up my coffee mug and go to my office, reviewing everything I need to get done today. I might not be as crazy busy as I'm used to, but at least I’ll—
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.
I open up an email from Silver Ridge high school, reminding me that the freshman job shadow will be here today. But instead of the original student who had filled the one slot we had available, there's been a change. The new student is Everly Walker.
So much for not thinking about Josie today. I avoid drama because I don't want to be bothered with it, yet I'm a little apprehensive to see what Josie has said about me to her daughter. And, if Everly is anything like her mother, this could make for a very long Monday.
Sighing, I jot down a few notes to remind myself of other things to do today as I drink my coffee. Then I head out for a quick team meeting before we start appointments. The first part of the day goes by smoothly, and the new vets are getting along just great on their own.
I'm in my office reviewing charts when someone knocks on my open door. I look up to see Everly standing next to Saanvi, one of the girls who works at the front desk. Everly's eyes are wide and she looks a little nervous yet excited.
“Hey, Dr. Harris,” Saanvi says with a small wave. “Your job shadow from the high school is here. This is Everly. Everly, this is Doctor Harris.”
“We've met before,” Everly tells her with a smile. “The sick paint horse in the barn is mine.”
“Oh, you’re Kim Walker’s niece.” Saanvi smiles at Everly.
“Great niece, technically,” Everly says back with a shrug.
“I am just about done here.” I flick my eyes from the computer to Everly. “Saanvi, could you give her a tour of the clinic?”
“Sure thing,” she says and motions for Everly to follow. I wrap up what I was working on and then go out to find Everly.
“I wanted to say thank you for taking the time to let me come in and shadow,” Everly tells me right before we go into an exam room for my next appointment. “I know having someone follow you around can get annoying, but I’m really excited to learn.”
I smile. “I’m always happy to help someone with an interest in veterinary medicine.”
“There’s still time to change my mind, I know, but I want to do something with animals,” she goes on. “So, thank you again. Just let me know if I get in the way.”
“I don’t think you will,” I assure her. I have had shadows that do get in the way or, more often, stand in the back of the room, sneaking glances at their phones. But I don’t see that being a problem with Everly. She seems like a good kid, and that’s a testament to Josie. And as the day goes on, I see that more and more.
There’s absolutely nothing to complain about when Everly follows me to my last appointment of the afternoon. She’s been kind, polite, and helpful to everyone she’s come across. And, as far as teenagers go, she’s easy to talk to. She continues to impress me as we leave the clinic and head out to a farm call, vaccinating a bunch of new goats someone bought from out of state. It’s routine and not super difficult, so I tell Crystal to stay at the clinic to look after our equine patients while Everly comes with me to the Merdock farm.
We get all but five goats vaccinated rather quickly, and those remaining give us quite a fight. So much so that I don’t realize the time until I get a call from Glory Webber, saying that her mare went into labor. We’re not far but have to pack up before we can head over.