{"id":26145,"date":"2022-01-09T10:04:47","date_gmt":"2022-01-09T16:04:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=26145"},"modified":"2023-01-19T13:16:54","modified_gmt":"2023-01-19T19:16:54","slug":"chapter-17-falling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2022\/01\/09\/chapter-17-falling\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 17: Falling"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thomas was pacing back and forth in the treatment room, frowning at the test results on the paper he held. He would have to rethink the entire diagnosis of pemphigus. Could it be lupus? He\u2019d have to test for hemolytic anemia, and then–<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, his back left hoof stumbled on something and that leg flew out from under him, causing him to lose his balance. He tumbled to the ground. His hoof twisted and excruciating pain filled his being as he cried out.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a flash, Tabby appeared in the doorway. \u201cWho\u2019s been murdered?\u201d she demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI tripped on a cat toy,\u201d Thomas said, looking at her accusingly. It was careless to leave such an item in the work area. The offending object had rolled across the room and settled near Tabby. Thomas gingerly touched the hoof where the pain was radiating from.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOhhh, that\u2019s not so bad,\u201d his assistant said, relief showing on her face as she picked up the jingly ball and tossed it carelessly onto the countertop. \u201cThe way you screamed, I thought for sure someone was dead.\u201d She turned her back on him and hummed to herself as she rummaged through a cabinet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs everyone okay?\u201d Strawberry rushed in. \u201cI heard a scream.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe tripped on a cat toy. He\u2019s fine,\u201d said Tabby succinctly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh–well–if you\u2019re sure–\u201d Strawberry still looked concerned, but the phone was ringing, and she ran off to answer it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabby, get over here,\u201d Thomas snapped, sitting upright but struggling to put weight on the hoof. \u201cHelp me up.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was just a cat toy,\u201d Tabby said impatiently, turning back to him. \u201cIt can\u2019t be <\/span>that<\/span><\/i> bad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAn item doesn\u2019t need to be large to cause injury. You should know that,\u201d Thomas said testily. \u201cI think my hoof is broken.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby looked at him skeptically, but knelt down next to him and examined the hoof. \u201cI think it\u2019s fine,\u201d she determined after a peremptory look.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not a doctor,\u201d Thomas said churlishly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell!\u201d Tabby said frigidly, drawing herself up and abruptly dropping the injured hoof onto the floor. Thomas winced.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI should go to the ER,\u201d he determined.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we could call for the ambulance cart,\u201d Tabby said, looking doubtful. \u201cI\u2019m sure everyone will have a good laugh, having to come to the rescue of the veterinarian. Just sayin\u2019.\u201d She shrugged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUgh\u2026 well, maybe I\u2019ll just give it a minute,\u201d Thomas said reluctantly, suspecting that her assessment of medical personnel was harsh but probably accurate. \u201cLet\u2019s at least take an x-ray.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby at least had the decency to assist him to the x-ray machine, and a scan was run, but then it was time to start the day\u2019s appointments, and Thomas didn\u2019t have a chance to study the film before mid-morning. He hobbled his way through the day as best he could.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Tabby asked, perched on the edge of his desk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas frowned at the radiograph. \u201cIt\u2019s not obvious, but I\u2019m sure there\u2019s something. I can feel it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you want a <\/span>professional <\/span><\/i>opinion,\u201d Tabby said sweetly, \u201cToby\u2019s going to be picking me up for lunch, so he can take a look at it then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas scowled. The prospect of relying on his old school rival for medical aid did not sit well, but it did avoid the gossip that would be generated by going to the hospital. \u201cI suppose,\u201d he sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hear you need a doctor,\u201d Toby said, looking entirely too pleased with himself as he strode into Thomas\u2019 office, trusty medical kit at his side, Tabby behind him. Thomas had his hoof up on an ottoman.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not obvious on the x-ray,\u201d Thomas quickly spoke-up, \u201cbut I felt it break–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmm,\u201d said Toby noncommittally and maintained a pensive silence as he inspected the injured hoof. \u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d he finally announced, straightening up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTold you,\u201d Tabby said unsympathetically to her boss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? No, something\u2019s definitely broken. I can tell,\u201d Thomas argued. \u201dMaybe another x-ray from a different angle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo need to waste anyone\u2019s time,\u201d Toby assured him in an aggravating manner. \u201cIt\u2019s a sprain, textbook case. Just keep it elevated and on ice, and take three ibuprofen three times daily until the pain subsides.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds excessive,\u201d Thomas protested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026 and you can wear this hoof brace,\u201d Toby said, almost as an afterthought, withdrawing a flimsy sleeve from his bag. After helping put it on, he turned to the pink unicorn. \u201cTabby, are you ready to go?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes!\u201d said Tabby with alacrity, taking the proffered hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d better be back by one,\u201d Thomas said shortly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, I know.\u201d Tabby waved dismissively as she and Toby exited the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

A few minutes later, the phone rang on the internal line. \u201cThomas, Dusty Rose is here for lunch,\u201d Strawberry relayed. \u201cWhat should I tell her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Thomas said. Of course it was Wednesday, the day Dusty Rose typically tried to get together for lunch. \u201cSend her to my office; I\u2019ll talk to her,\u201d he instructed. He would not be good company today, but wasn\u2019t sure if Dusty Rose would accept that as an excuse to leave him alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThomas! Strawberry said there had been an accident. How are you?\u201d Dusty Rose breezed in, clucking her tongue when she saw him with his hoof up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been better,\u201d Thomas said in a pitiable manner. What a relief this attitude was from the unconcern of Tabby! \u201cBut I\u2019m afraid I won\u2019t be able to go out for lunch.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou poor dear,\u201d Dusty Rose fussed. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy assistant left some\u2026 equipment\u2026 out,\u201d Thomas explained, \u201cwhere I tripped on it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow thoughtless. What a shame. Is it swollen? It looks swollen,\u201d Dusty Rose chattered. \u201cYou must see a doctor!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI did,\u201d Thomas sighed, \u201cand all he would do was give me this brace.\u201d He gestured at it helplessly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs that all? For shame!\u201d Dusty Rose pursed her lips. \u201cI tell you what, my boss broke his hoof last year and there’s still a crutch floating around at the office,\u201d she relayed. \u201cNo one will miss it. Hang on, I’ll be back in a jiffy!\u201d And she scurried off.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas passed the time studying the x-ray, looking for any small detail that might have been missed. But, he begrudgingly acknowledged, the pain medication may have helped, and perhaps he was feeling a <\/span>tiny<\/span><\/i> bit better…<\/span><\/p>\n

Dusty Rose returned encumbered with the crutches, along with a paper bag with the logo of a sandwich shop located a few doors down. \u201cWe\u2019ll just have lunch here in your office,\u201d she said breezily. \u201cIt\u2019ll be cozy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s very thoughtful of you,\u201d Thomas said, pleasantly surprised at the solicitude.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m happy to help,\u201d she assured him with a bright smile, pulling up a chair next to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Certainly none of this attention from his assistant!<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Tabby and Toby walked to a cafe that was a common lunch stop for the couple.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe she had been a little hard on Thomas this morning, Tabby considered as she let her mind wander. He had just made such a fuss, she would have thought an entire limb had been torn asunder. And she was relieved it wasn\u2019t anything that serious, which could have been interpreted as unconcern. Perhaps she could have demonstrated more sympathy for his discomfort, even if he was not mortally wounded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope Thomas isn\u2019t too difficult to work with during his recovery,\u201d Toby remarked, as if sensing her train of thought. \u201cHe seemed a bit short-tempered.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAren’t you supposed to exercise some compassion? He’s in a lot of pain,\u201d Tabby said snappily, though her initial opinion had been less than sympathetic herself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d If Toby was surprised by her vehemence, he treated it with equanimity. \u201cI only meant that I wish him a speedy recovery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Right.\u201d Tabby settled into silence for a moment, but then: \u201cAre you <\/span>sure<\/span><\/i> there’s not something wrong that you didn\u2019t see?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m quite sure of my diagnosis,\u201d Toby said with a slight frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou’re not a god; you can make mistakes,\u201d Tabby said, rather sharply.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe’s welcome to seek a second opinion if he so wishes,\u201d Toby pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I mean, that brace doesn’t really do anything, does it?\u201d Tabby continued on her tirade.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s mainly a placebo,\u201d Toby admitted. \u201cBut relax. He’ll be fine.\u201d He reached across the table to press her hoof reassuringly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStill, maybe I should head back,\u201d Tabby fretted, uncharacteristically. \u201cSug was going out for lunch, too, and he’ll be alone. What if he needs something?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019ll survive,\u201d said Toby dryly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026 yeah, I guess so,\u201d Tabby said, and then lapsed into silence for the rest of the meal despite Toby\u2019s efforts to draw her out.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, I\u2019m back,\u201d Tabby announced, flinging open the office door, only belatedly realizing that Thomas was not alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c…beautiful scenery down by Silver Lake; my dad used to take us kayaking. I\u2019d love to do that again sometime,\u201d Dusty Rose was hinting broadly as Tabby entered the room. \u201cOh, hi, Tabby,\u201d she said curtly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t realize you were having company today,\u201d Tabby addressed her boss with a pointed look. She was annoyed at him and Dusty Rose for enjoying a comfortable coze, but the emotion had no logical basis. Why was she letting herself get drawn into these jealous feelings? She wasn\u2019t involved. \u201cIt <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> almost one o\u2019 clock,\u201d she pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, is it that late already? I lost track of time,\u201d Dusty Rose said with a sweet smile at Thomas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope I haven\u2019t made you late,\u201d Thomas said with a concerned look.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d Dusty Rose assured him. \u201cBut I should be going. I\u2019ll call you later.\u201d She gave him a peck on the cheek before brushing past Tabby with a smug smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBye,\u201d said Tabby, smiling as neutrally as possible. \u201cWhere’d the crutch come from?\u201d she inquired as Thomas reached for the instrument.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDusty Rose found one at her office,\u201d Thomas explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that was convenient,\u201d Tabby said, narrowing her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe<\/span> is <\/span><\/i>very considerate,\u201d Thomas said with a sidelong look at her as they walked down the hall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe’s coddling you,\u201d Tabby protested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs that so bad?\u201d he shot back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby was silent for a moment. Why couldn\u2019t she stop with the waspish remarks? Was it so hard to just be <\/span>nice<\/span><\/i>? \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d she asked with as much meekness as she could muster.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBetter. Thanks.\u201d Thomas looked surprised, and she mentally berated herself for being so unfeeling that the simple question was unexpected.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you should go to the ER after work, anyway, just to be sure,\u201d Tabby said in a rush.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you were sure of your diagnosis\u2026 and Toby\u2019s,\u201d Thomas pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I mean, we\u2019re not perfect, so\u2026\u201d Tabby trailed off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ll wait and see how it feels in the morning,\u201d Thomas said, a little bemused. \u201cWhy the change in attitude?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not–I just–\u201d she stammered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell me you have a heart after all,\u201d he said with a grin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby <\/span>did<\/span><\/i> have a heart, because she felt it plummet. He thought she was heartless, and why shouldn\u2019t he? Her unconcern and snarky remarks about everything left little room to think anything else. And yet she secretly yearned to capture his attention, the way Dusty Rose did? What an absurd thought!<\/span><\/p>\n

But not having a heart provided her a shield against being hurt\u2026 which would surely follow if she opened herself up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be ridiculous. Of course I don\u2019t,\u201d she scoffed in answer to his question, then quickly ducked into the exam room to dab at the tears that had sprung unbidden to her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Thomas was pacing back and forth in the treatment room, frowning at the test results on the paper he held. He would have…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1071],"tags":[1138,1112,1097,1113,1072,1076],"class_list":["post-26145","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writing","tag-becca","tag-dulcia","tag-dusty-rose","tag-elaine","tag-tabby","tag-thomas"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26145","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26145"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26145\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31436,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26145\/revisions\/31436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26145"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26145"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}