Valerie the Veterinarian's Arc

Chapter 8 of 8

Valerie sat at the front counter of the clinic Tuesday morning, drafting the inventory list. She had seven days to write down every animal in her care, including the cub in the shed. Her pen was still hovering over the second line when she heard shuffling at the door. It sounded like Baby Penguin, only heavier. Two sets of feet, slow and careful. She stood, walked to the glass, and looked out. Two Emperor Penguins stood on the front step. The male came up to her waist. The female was a little shorter. They looked tired. Their feathers were dull with salt and dust. The male tapped the door once with his beak. Valerie opened it and stepped back. Baby Penguin waddled out from the exam room before she could call for him. He stopped in the doorway. "My parents," he said. "They walked from the South Pole. My legs are shorter. I got lost first." The female pressed her head against Baby Penguin's chest. The male looked at Valerie and bowed his neck once. Valerie knelt on the tile. She understood. They had followed the setting sun for weeks to find their chick. She offered them water in a shallow pan and a bowl of smelt from the freezer. They ate standing up, never taking their eyes off Baby Penguin. Valerie made the choice while they ate. Baby Penguin belonged with them, not on her inventory. She pulled his intake form from the file and wrote DISCHARGED TO FAMILY across the top in black pen, then dated it. She wrapped a bag of smelt in a cooler sleeve and tied it to the male's back with a soft strap. She walked the three of them to the edge of the back lot and pointed west, toward the low sun. Baby Penguin looked up at her. "Thank you for the fish," he said. "I liked it here. I want to go home." Valerie nodded. She watched them until they were three small shapes against the road, then smaller, then gone. She went back inside and crossed Baby Penguin's name off the inventory list. One less animal to explain. The cub in the shed was still there, still hers, still waiting to be written down. She picked up the pen and wrote his line next.