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The doorbell rang throughout the elegant Victorian-style home. Vyn lifted his head up from his work, confused. “Was I expecting anyone today?” he wondered. He left his office and headed downstairs to check the front door. “Yes?” he asked, opening the door to reveal his surprise caller.
“Delivery,” the man said, passing a box of pet supplies into Vyn’s unprepared arms.
“There must be a mistake,” Vyn protested. “I did not order this.” He stared bewildered at the contents.
The driver checked his paperwork and showed it to Vyn. “This is the correct address, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Vyn murmured, puzzled. “However, I would remember ordering…” he read further down the invoice “…kittens?”
“That’s correct. Two British Shorthair kittens and all the supplies that come with them. It’s all paid for. All you need to do is sign that you received them.”
Vyn hesitated, not wanting to accept the animals but not wanting to leave them homeless either. “Who bought the kittens?” The delivery man flipped the invoice over, revealing a familiar name. Vyn frowned. “One moment, please. I need to make a phone call.”
He set the box down, walked inside, and pulled out his cell phone. “Could you explain to me why two kittens arrived on my doorstep this morning?” he asked as soon as the other line picked up.
A sheepish chuckle replied. “I meant to tell you, honest, only events at Opaline moved quicker than I anticipated and it slipped my mind.”
Vyn sighed, exasperated. “Allow me to rephrase my question: WHY are there kittens at my door?”
“They’re for Huey,” Luke said, as if that explained everything.
“Luke, I am a patient man. Unfortunately, patience is a finite resource. Why are kittens intended for Hugh at my house?” He could feel a vein throbbing in his forehead.
“It’s a bit of a long story,” Luke sighed. “Basically, Jasmine bought Huey a cat for his birthday last year. She died before it could be picked up and the pet store rehomed the kitten. But Rosa thought it would help Huey. So we went to the pet store. We weren’t sure if the orphanage would let him keep pets and, since you’re seeing Huey regularly, we thought you could keep them at your house until Huey finds a permanent home.”
“I see. Does he really need two cats?” Vyn rubbed his fingers under his glasses on the bridge of his nose.
“Of course,” Luke said. “A lonely kitten is a troublemaker. A playmate solves most of that.”
“Very well,” Vyn replied, resigned. “However, you must find a better place to keep them than at my house.”
“What was that? I’m having trouble hearing you,” Luke said.
“You most certainly are not,” Vyn began. He heard a click as Luke hung up. Vyn scoffed at the nerve. He returned to the front and beckoned the deliveryman inside. “The situation has been resolved. You may leave them here.”
“Are you sure?” the driver raised an eyebrow, skeptical.
“Yes,” Vyn grumbled. “The kittens are for a patient of mine, apparently.” He reluctantly carried the supplies indoors while the driver took care of the animals. Vyn looked around, unsure of where to put them to keep them safe until he could cat-proof his home. He looked helplessly at the driver.
The man chuckled and said, “If you have a spare bathroom, that’s a good place to start. It’s easy to clean, you can keep the door shut so that they aren’t wandering anywhere they shouldn’t, and as long as the toilet lid is closed, it’s safe.”
“Thank you,” Vyn said, feeling relieved.
“There’s a list of instructions inside the box. Follow those, and you’ll be fine.” The kittens were quickly settled into the spare bathroom and Vyn showed the man out.
“I appreciate your assistance,” Vyn told him.
“No problem. If you need any more help, this number is for a local vet in the area and that number is for the pet store.”
Vyn took the two business cards and tucked them into his left breast pocket. “May you have a pleasant morning,” he said, waving the driver off. He turned around, rolled up his sleeves, and steeled himself. “Now. Let us go and properly accommodate our feline guests.”
He slowly opened the door to the guest bathroom and stepped inside before two furballs could bolt to freedom. Vyn scooped up each kitten in a hand, bringing them to eye level. One of them mewed scoldingly. “I beg your pardon,” Vyn said. “I am merely assessing your personalities. You will be quite the handful.” The other kitten stayed puffed up on his hand, frozen in fear. “Do not be afraid, little one. I will not permit harm to come to you.” He sat them down and began to read the detailed instructions.
An hour later, once everything was unpacked and set up for the kittens’ comfort, Vyn escaped the bathroom, wiping his slightly sweaty brow. He took out a handkerchief and dabbed at a slight scratch he had received from an errant claw. “I think I will use my time with Hugh today to teach him the care of pets.” The sooner Hugh took those tiny rascals to a permanent home, the better.
*
“Doctor Richter, we’re here,” Rosa called out, ushering Huey inside.
“A moment, please,” Rosa heard faintly. A few minutes later, Vyn walked to the entryway, wiping his hands on a towel. “I had a mess to finish cleaning up.” He turned to Huey, greeting the boy. “Good morning, Hugh. I have a different plan for today. I hope that’s all right?”
Huey looked at Vyn quizzically.
“Today, we are going to familiarize ourselves with your new pets.” Huey graced the two adults with a bright smile. He tugged on Rosa’s hand, trying to urge her forwards.
Rosa covered her mouth, hiding a smile. “So that’s where Luke sent the kittens.”
Vyn scowled over Huey’s head. “Indeed. Remind me to thank him when I see him next.” He adjusted his glasses. “I certainly did not anticipate becoming the minder for two kittens when I woke up this morning.”
“It hasn’t been that bad, has it?” Rosa asked anxiously. She began walking alongside Vyn as he led the way to the kittens.
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “However, a warning would have been nice.”
“I’m sorry,” Rosa apologized. “If it’s easier, I can take them off your hands.”
“No,” Vyn replied. “Since my practice is inside my home, I am the most available to care for them. Luke made the sensible choice. I only wish he had asked first.”
“Would you like me to scold him for you?” Rosa joked.
“I think I would like to reserve that satisfaction for myself,” Vyn said, smirking. Rosa giggled and let Hugh excitedly pull her into the bathroom to play with the kittens.
Vyn smiled softly, enjoying the sight of Rosa and Hugh snuggling and petting the fuzzy babies. Hugh laughed, tickled by a head curiously poking under his chin. “You were right to purchase these pets for him,” Vyn murmured to Rosa quietly. “This is the first time he has smiled unreservedly since I have met him.”
“I just wanted Huey to have something good to remember Jasmine by,” Rosa replied softly. “And if it helps him, then that’s all the better.”