When Pigs and Parrots Fly by Gail Sattler Page A

I had plans for tomorrow night. We’re going to see, uh . . . that new movie at the Bloomfield Cinema.”
    At the risk of smearing off her lipstick, Sarah clenched her bottom lip between her teeth to prevent herself from laughing. Hayden had forgotten the name of the movie already, telling her that he wasn’t really interested in it. Taking her to see it was his way of trying to make it up to her that he’d been so snowed by Crystal’s behavior and completely forgotten that Sarah was supposed to be his date at Burger Heaven.
    â€œOh!” Crystal’s face lit up. “I want to see that one!” She turned just enough to rest one hand on Josh’s shoulder while he steered the car away from the curb and into the street so they could be on their way. “Josh, can we go with them?”
    A momentary jerk in Josh’s movement with the steering wheel caused a slight shake of the car. “Uh . . . I . . . I think you should turn around and put your seatbelt back on, and we’ll talk about it later.”
    Crystal clapped her hands together and turned around to do as Josh instructed. “It will be such fun! I can hardly wait. We can catch an early dinner at Burger Heaven. I’ll make a reservation, and we can catch the early show. My treat, of course, and don’t any of you argue with me.” She raised her index finger to make her point. “I know we all have to get up for work on Monday, so we’ll catch the early show.”
    Beside her, Sarah felt the tension in Hayden’s body as he stiffened. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Crystal.”
    â€œOf course it’s a good idea. Don’t let your male pride get in the way of having a good time. I said I’m paying, and I mean it.”
    Sarah had no doubt that neither Josh nor Hayden wanted to do this, but both were too well-mannered to refuse. “I’m not sure either, Crystal. What if—”
    Crystal waved one hand in the air to shush her. “We’re nearly there. I have to tell you what to watch for.”
    For the rest of the trip, Crystal gave them what she considered to be a heads-up on the alleged highlights of the production.
    Crystal was still talking all the way into the school and only silenced when Richard Maxwell, the principal, approached them through the crowd of people.
    Ignoring Crystal, he went straight for Sarah. “Dr. Faire. I’m honored to see you here.”
    She returned Richard’s handshake, which continued long after he should have released her hand. “I’m looking forward to your production. How is your little kitten?” Like so many of her patients, she couldn’t remember the kitten’s name without the file in front of her.
    â€œMisty’s doing just great; she’s almost all healed. Thank you so much,” he said. Changing gears, he continued, “I don’t have much time, so I’ll make this quick. We’re doing a career day for the students next Tuesday, and some of the parents are coming in to give a small speech about their chosen professions in the auditorium during the assembly. I was wondering if you could spare half an hour and come in to tell us a little about being a vet and, mostly, about being the Vet Whisperer.”
    Sarah forced herself not to squeeze her eyes closed while echoes of her visit into Josh’s store flashed through her mind. That day, when she’d taken control of little Enchilada before he could latch onto Scruffy’s hind leg, someone had called out that she was the Vet Whisperer. “That’s really not right. Calling me the ‘Vet’ Whisperer means I would calm and soothe vets, which I don’t. If anything, I guess it should be ‘Pet’ Whisperer.”
    Richard’s eyes widened. “Yes, that’s definitely what you are.”
    Sarah stiffened. After she’d been called the Vet Whisperer, she’d googled the term Pet