Small Acts

Jayce

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^Friday Night^

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I swaddled Tuli in a towel, grabbing another for myself, and led her back to the bedroom. I strolled over to my dresser and pulled open the top drawer.

“Maybe it’s a bit presumptuous,” I said, grinning, “but I got you some panties for when you stay over. So you don’t always have to borrow my boxers.”

She chuckled lightly. “I like wearing your boxers.”

I smiled back at her. “I bet you do, but I thought you might want something more comfy.”

I offered them to her and she groaned. “Cotton?”

I quirked an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with these? You’d look fantastic in them. Heck, you could wear a garbage bag and I’d still think you were stunning.”

She sighed and snatched the panties from my hand. “Can I have a t-shirt, please?”

I dug through my drawer and pulled out two different shirts. “Guns ’N Roses, or Bon Jovi?”

“Bon Jovi, please.”

I returned the other shirt to the drawer and held up the Bon Jovi one. “You can have it if you can reach it.”

She frowned. I chuckled as she stretched for it. “You’re a bit too short for this game,” I teased.

“Exactly! Just give it to me, you jerk!”

She jumped, but I stood on my tiptoes, holding it high in the air. “Nah, you gotta earn it.”

She grumbled in frustration, pausing for a moment. I could see the gears turning in her head. Then she reached out and tickled my sides.

I laughed and dropped the shirt, and she quickly scooped it off the floor and pulled it over her head.

“I win,” she declared, smirking.

Now it was my turn to frown. “Damn, that’s embarrassing.”

“Because you’re ticklish?” she giggled, poking my sides again.

“Gah,” I grunted. “Yes. Please stop.”

“Okay,” she agreed, still smiling.

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. I planted a soft kiss on her lips. “You’re so adorable.”

“I’m gonna go lie down, babe.”

She turned, giving me a great view of her backside. I gave it a playful swat and she gasped. She shot me a look and stuck her tongue out. “Perv.”

I chuckled and rummaged through my dresser again, searching for a pair of boxers. As I pulled them on, the doorbell rang.

“Who’s that?” Tuli asked.

“Probably my sister,” I told her. “If you hadn’t noticed, she’s absconded with my dogs again.”

“Dogs?”

I smiled at her. “Yeah. Stay here and I’ll show you.”

“Oh, okay.”

I slipped on a pair of sweats and a black sleeveless tee before leaving the bedroom. I headed to the front door and opened it, unsurprised to see my sister holding onto Bones’ and Juneau’s leashes.

“Janelle, you’ve got to stop letting Gabrielle feed Chick-Fil-A sandwiches to my dogs. They’ll get sick.”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s just chicken.”

“Fried chicken,” I corrected her. “Please?”

“Alright, alright,” she said dismissively, waving her hand. “Do you have company?”

I frowned at her. “Why would you think that?”

She smirked at me. “Twin sister’s intuition. I know there’s someone here.”

“Ugh,” I sighed. “Tuli is here.”

Janie’s eyes lit up. “She’s here? Can I see her?”

I shook my head. “Not a good time right now.” When she raised an eyebrow, I added, “I’ll fill you in later.”

She sighed. “Okay. Here are your fur babies.”

“Thanks. If you can, though, check on them tomorrow. Tuli and I are gonna be out for a bit.”

“Yeah, I’ll look after them. Don’t worry about it. You better not forget to call me.”

“I won’t forget, I promise,” I assured her before she left.

I unhooked their leashes as they wagged their tails and licked at me. “Easy, you two,” I said, laughing. “C’mon.”

I walked over to my bedroom, the pups in my arms, and tried to knock on the door.

“Tuli, can you open the door, please?”

“Just a second,” she called back.

After a moment, the knob turned and the door swung open. Tuli gasped at the sight of the pups in my arms as they started barking and wriggling to get down. I set them down and they bounded towards her.

With a surprised look, she knelt down to pet Juneau’s head, who was licking her legs, and then Bones’, who was sniffing her feet. She looked up at me.

“You kept Juneau?”

I smiled. “I couldn’t give her back. You were so smitten with her, and honestly, so am I.” I reached down and stroked the pup’s head. “Looks like she missed you.”

Tuli’s eyes sparkled as she picked up Juneau. “I missed her, too. Such a pretty girl.”

Juneau playfully nibbled at her fingers, and Tuli’s eyes shone with affection.

I picked up Bones and held him out to her. Bones let out a little bark and wagged his tail excitedly as he pawed at Tuli.

She giggled and placed Juneau on the bed before taking the pit bull into her arms.

“He’s a cutie, too,” she murmured as he licked her nose. I couldn’t resist pulling them into a hug.

Bones nipped playfully at my chin, causing me to pull back with a laugh.

“Do you mind if they sleep on the bed?” I asked. “They usually bunk with me.”

She shook her head, a smile playing on her lips. “I’d love for them to sleep in the bed.”

A yawn escaped her.

“Speaking of, we should probably hit the hay so we’re fresh for tomorrow.”

With that, she snuggled into bed, cradling Bones in her arms. Juneau clambered up and settled on her stomach.

I feigned a pout. “Hey, I want in on the cuddle action, too.”

She laughed and patted the bed invitingly. I shed my sweats and slid under the covers. I wrapped my arms around her and the two dogs, pulling them close.

Tuli drifted off to sleep quickly, and I wasn’t far behind.

***

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^Saturday Morning^

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The shrill beeping of my alarm clock jolted me awake. I groaned and rolled over to silence it.

Five in the morning is way too early for my liking, but I had to get up.

Tuli was still sound asleep beside me. I gently stroked her face and whispered, “Time to rise and shine, sweetheart.”

When she didn’t stir, I nudged her gently. She groaned and rolled over. “No.”

I bit my lip. I hated having to wake her up, but we couldn’t miss her ferret’s vet appointment.

“C’mon, baby,” I nudged her again. “We need to get to the vet.”

Her eyes fluttered open, the reality of the situation sinking in. Tears welled up in her eyes, and my heart ached for her. I brushed my thumbs over her cheeks.

“It’s going to be okay, I promise,” I reassured her, even though I wasn’t entirely sure it would be.

We got dressed and fed the dogs. I drove her to her apartment to pick up Mr. Biggles, and then we headed to the vet.

Once we checked in, everything became a blur. A nurse took the carrier from Tuli and disappeared. Another nurse explained the procedure.

“You’re free to wait here or step out for a bit,” she told us calmly.

She left us alone in the lobby. Tuli pulled out her phone but seemed lost in thought rather than looking at it.

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, pulling out my own phone to check my email.

I scrolled through, noting a bunch of emails from students about the upcoming homework assignment.

I wondered if Tuli was keeping up with her homework. But now wasn’t the time to ask.

I heard a growl. A stomach growl.

“Hey, are you hungry?”

Tuli looked at me blankly. “No, not really.”

“Your stomach begs to differ. How about a quick McDonald’s run?”

She shook her head and grabbed my hand, trying to stop me from leaving. I sighed. “I can’t let you sit here on an empty stomach. I’ll be back before you know it. I promise.”

After a moment, she finally nodded and released my hand. I cupped her face gently and kissed her forehead.

“Call me if you need anything. I’ll be right back.”

I headed to the McDonald’s across the street and ordered a couple of breakfast sandwiches, an orange juice for Tuli, and a coffee for myself.

A few minutes later, the employee handed me a large paper bag and a drink tray. I thanked him and headed back to the animal hospital.

Tuli

What a way to spend the day before my birthday. It felt like life was just one tragedy after another.

My mother abandoned me. Adam left me. And now my ferret was probably going to leave me too.

I tried not to think like that, but it was hard.

I wondered if I was naturally a pessimist. Whenever something went wrong, I couldn’t see the silver lining. I didn’t want to see the silver lining.

True to his word, Jayce returned quickly—within ten minutes. He sat down next to me and handed me an orange juice.

“Even if you don’t eat, at least drink this, okay?”

I nodded. He pulled out a breakfast sandwich. Despite my earlier protest, the smell of food was making my stomach growl.

I unwrapped the sandwich and took a bite, chewing and swallowing quickly. It tasted amazing.

Jayce smiled. “That’s what I thought.”

We finished eating quickly. We spent a good hour waiting until the vet finally came out to meet us.

She had a grim look on her face. I stood up. “How is he?” I asked, my voice trembling with fear.

“Miss D’Amore, I’m sorry.”