Unsaid: A Novel by Neil Abramson Page B

the back for a minute and help me get these guys settled.” To Sally, he adds, “I’ll just be a few.”
    Once in the back, Jimmy and Joshua divide the kittens into cages. Jimmy holds Tiny Pete so they are eye-to-eye, gives the kitten a gentle kiss on the forehead, and then places him in with his brothers and sisters. “Do you think she’ll come around?” Jimmy asks.
    “Not sure. I think she’s already got a lot on her plate. What do you think?”
    “I think sometimes good people need a second chance to say yes.”
    Joshua looks at Jimmy’s upturned, beautiful, disfigured face searching for evidence of a deeper agenda in his statement and sees only honesty and the need for approval. Joshua smiles at the boy. “I do believe you’re right.”
    After Jimmy departs, Joshua brings Sally into his office, where they sit facing each other across Joshua’s worn desk.
    “It’s been a while,” Joshua begins. “How’ve you been? How’s Cliff?”
    “Thorton just fired me,” Sally says without a hint of emotion. Joshua doesn’t say anything for a long few moments. “The words you’re searching for,” Sally offers, “are
I told you so.
”
    “Don’t you at least know me better than that? I told you at the time that I understood.”
    “So you said, but—”
    “Thorton was offering you a salary and benefits that I couldn’t match.”
    “You still think that was the only reason I left?” Sally asks with a mix of bitterness and sadness.
    “I’m not too good at reading between the lines, as I think you may recall.”
    “Oh, I think you can read between the lines just fine.”
    “What happened with Thorton?”
    “Clifford had a bad episode.”
    “I’m sorry. How is he?”
    “He’s been doing fine. The program he’s in here has just been terrific for him. It’s been worth any sacrifice to keep him in the school district. But recently his episodes… they’re different. I’m afraid he’s finally going to explode with puberty, or when the next big event happens in his life, and all those years of lost emotions will…” Sally’s voice trails off, as if she’s realized that she’s said too much.
    “I take it Thorton didn’t respond well.”
    “It wasn’t Clifford. I got scared, made a scene.”
    “Knowing Thorton, I can guess the rest.”
    “And so, bottom line”—Sally looks away in embarrassment—“I really need a job. I know you know how difficult it is for me to come here and ask this. I wouldn’t if I had another option.”
    “I know. It’s just that…” Joshua closes his eyes and rubs his forehead.
    “I’ll work whatever shifts you need me, I’ll go back to cleaning cages—”
    “It’s not about that. You don’t—”
    “You can cut my pay, I don’t care. I just need full-time employment within the school district so Clifford can stay in the program. Whatever it—”
    “Sally, just listen to me for a minute.” Joshua stands and turns to face the window. “I’m sorry, but I’m not going to be able to help you.”
    Sally slumps in her chair. “Wow. I’ve got to say that you’re the last person I would’ve expected to put personal feelings above the needs of a child.”
    Joshua spins back to face her. “I’d forgotten how cruel you could be when your feelings are hurt.”
    Sally rises to leave. “Well, I can see this was a complete waste of time.”
    “I’m closing the practice,” Joshua says to her back.
    This stops Sally where she stands, and she turns to face Joshua. “What?”
    “That’s why I can’t help you. I’m sorry.”
    “May I ask why?”
    “A bunch of reasons. I’m tired, Sally. It’s always been a two-vet practice here. I don’t want to train someone new. It won’t be the same and, honestly, I don’t really want to try.”
    “When will you lock the doors?”
    Joshua shrugs. “Very soon. My staff doesn’t even know yet. I want to try to place as many as I can.”
    “That means Thorton will be the only game in town.”
    Joshua