As the hours dragged on, Cassandra felt caught in an unrelenting web of anxiety. Every ring of her phone sent a bolt of adrenaline through her, only to dissolve into disappointment when it wasn’t the call she was waiting for. It wasn’t until late evening settled over the house like a heavy blanket that her phone finally lit up with Dr. Hanson’s name. She snatched it up, her voice sharp with panic and urgency. “Well?!” she demanded, barely able to keep the storm of emotions at bay.
The pause that followed felt like an eternity. Even the simple sound of Dr. Hanson clearing his throat sent her heart crashing downward. The silence that stretched between them was thick with foreboding. It felt like he was about to say something that would shatter her. Cassandra clutched the edge of the table with trembling fingers, her body rigid, leaning forward as if to anchor herself. In her mind, a desperate mantra played on repeat: Please, please, please—just let it be good news. She held her breath as Dr. Hanson finally began to speak…
The suspense finally shattered as Dr. Hanson spoke. To Cassandra’s astonishment, it was good news—better than she had dared to hope. Cammie had made it through. The foreign objects were removed successfully, and she was expected to recover. Relief surged through Cassandra, her heart light with joy. She thanked Dr. Hanson sincerely and arranged to pick Cammie up first thing in the morning.
As she hung up, exhaustion washed over her in full force. The emotional storm of the day had drained her, but for the first time in hours, she felt at peace. For now, at least, things were finally okay.
The next morning, Cassandra walked into the vet clinic feeling hopeful. Dr. Hanson gently placed Cammie in her hands—still a bit weak, but alive and alert. Her colors were bright again, and she looked around with the same curious gaze as before.
Dr. Hanson walked Cassandra through Cammie’s recovery plan: a new diet, a round of medications, and careful monitoring. Cassandra listened closely. She wasn’t going to make the same mistakes again. From now on, she would do everything she could to keep Cammie safe and thriving.