The old sign out front of the 'Zephyr Animal Clinic' was colorful and welcoming. The cartoon puppy and kitten on the sign were happily playing with each other. Inside the treatment room was a different scene. Runa was holding a male tabby cat still. The cat was growling lowly at her. Dr. Hunter was preparing a needle.

"You have him, Runa?" Marie Hunter asked as she walked over to the table.

Runa nodded at her but didn't move otherwise.

"Oh? What's the matter tough guy?" Marie said to the cat. The cat hissed at her. "It's okay Demon. This will be over soon."

"Who would seriously name their cat Demon?"

"Ava Madison," Marie told her.

"That woman is sick."

She stuck the needle in and the cat moved a little but Runa held him.

"There we go," Marie said. "Okay, put our little Demon back in his cage."

Runa carried the cat to another room. "Is he going home tonight?"

"No, they're picking him up tomorrow. We don't have any more today so, you can go."

"Oh good; I have to get ready," Runa said as she walked back out.

"Yes," Marie nodded at her, smiling. "I know. Do you have everything you need?"

"I don't know. I hope so," Runa said.

"You'll do fine. You don't have to be nervous," Marie told her.

"Were you?" Runa asked her.

"A little," Marie replied, "but, it's fun. You'll see. I can't really talk about it. But I'll tell you one thing. When they call you to stand up front, be sure you have your gloves with you."

"Shouldn't I wear them?"

"No, just carry them."

"Okay," Runa said, taking off her work coat and hanging it up. She was wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

"Isn't that a little cold?" Marie said, talking about Runa's clothes.

"Nah," Runa told her.

"It's getting colder out these days though," she said.

"Yeah," Runa told her. "I don't mind until it gets really cold."

On her way home, Runa decided to stop and see Brian at work. Walking into the parking lot at the dealership, she could tell they were busy. They were getting ready for an end of the year sale. They had to 'make room' for the new cars coming in; or so they told everyone. Brian didn't work in sales. He was in the garage.

Runa walked in and immediately saw him washing up at the sink. He saw her and half frowned at her. She bounded up to him, trying to be like Mendalie.

"Hi honey!" she said cheerfully smiling.

"Runa, what are you doing here?" Brian was short for a guy and stocky. He had sandy blonde hair and brown eyes. He was rugged and attractive in a mechanic worker kind of way. But he was not outright good looking, to be sure.

"I wanted to surprise you. I just got off work and I knew I wasn't gonna see you until late."

"Going to," Brian said.

"What?"

"Going to... you knew you weren't 'going' to see me"

"Oh yeah," Runa looked sheepish since there were other mechanics nearby. "Well anyway I have that book group tonight so I don't know if I'll get to talk to you later."

"Yeah okay," he answered. "Is that for women?"

"Yep"

"Okay," he said. "I'll see you later then."

She went to kiss him goodbye.

"Runa, later," he told her. I'm at work right now. My boss is watching."

Runa looked up but no one was paying any attention.

"Oh, right," she told him, "sorry." She smiled. "I'll see you tonight Mr. Fix-it." She winked at him. He smiled back at her and then picked up a clipboard.

Runa started walking out of the garage andlooked back. Brian was already talking to another mechanic and lookingunderneath a car with him. He wasn't always like this. It was just when he gotfrustrated or was busy working. She knew he might be mad but she had to seehim. He was one of the only things going good for her at the moment.