resting comfortably

“Let me get this straight… the fourleg has canine chin acne, an ear infection… and she’s got meds for her itches? That’s four pills a day and… ear drops?” asked the Muse of Many Questions.

“I wasn’t awakened by any scratchnibblescratchscratchscratch last night! Were you?” asked Thalia.

“Not a thump,” Urania scratched a welt on her side. “The vet said Henny was very dramatic when she took her in the back to clean her ear and insert drops… tried to dig her paws into the slippery vinyl floor and plant her butt into the wall. I guess she can’t understand that the doctor was trying to help, not harm.”

“I don’t think we can go on vacation now.” Calliope worried her sleeve’s fabric with her thumb and index finger.

“Vacation?” Thalia sat up straight. “We’re going on a vacation? Where are we going? When? What should I pack?”

“How is the kid going to get drops in Hen’s ear by himself?” Cal bit her lip and slouched. “She’s so uncooperative.”

“He can trailer a boat cross-country. He surely can give the dog some pills and squirt medicine in her ear. Where are we going???” Thalia demanded.

“Typist gave the vet a copy of Wandering Words.” Urania took a certain pleasure in leaving Thalia’s curiosity unsatisfied. “Told the doctor she’d find herself in chapter five. Remember the story about how Dr. T went the extra mile to find a solution for Mara’s persistent dental woes?”

“Of course we do,” said Cal. “One never forgets how somebody makes them feel.”

“Where — are — we — going?” Thalia metered her words.

“Nashville,” Calliope answered. Unlike Nia, she felt itchy about holding Tal in suspense. “Are you sure the kid can handle it?”

Urania raised her brows. “Yes, I’m sure.”