Palmers Green Passion
"Veterinarian Angela heals animals at her Palmers Green practice, but when lonely widower Robert brings in his late wife's cat, she discovers some creatures need healing more than others."
The cat was old. Robert was older in spirit, if not in years.
"Mi wife's cat," he explained. "She's all I have left of her."
Angela examined the cat gently. Examined the man more gently.
"She's healthy. Are yuh?"
"What do you mean?"
"Yuh look like yuh haven't slept in months."
"It's been two years. Still feels like yesterday."
She gave the cat vitamins. She gave Robert tea and conversation.
"Yuh not supposed to do this," he said. "Be nice to customers."
"I'm being nice to a person who's hurting." She sat beside him. "Caribbean people, we take care of each other."
"You're taking care of me."
"Somebody should."
Weekly checkups for the cat became weekly dinners.
"I'm not ready," he said one night.
"Ready for what?"
"To feel again."
"Yuh already feeling." She took his hand. "Yuh wouldn't be scared if yuh weren't."
"I'm terrified."
"Good. Brave is feeling scared and trying anyway."
Trying was her bedroom, her arms, her thick body offering comfort beyond words.
"Yes! Robert! Right there!"
Healing that no medicine could provide. Connection that grief had almost destroyed.
"Don't stop! Yuh alive! Feel it!"
He felt alive for the first time in two years.
"What would my wife think?" he asked after.
"She'd want yuh happy." Angela kissed him. "That's what love is."
The cat is still healthy.
So is Robert.
Angela made sure.
Palmers Green passion.
Where healing happens.
For all creatures.
Great and small.