* * * * * * *
Doctor Shroyer eyed the little girl. “Where did you get this kitty from, Darcy?”
She looked up at him. “Are you going to take him?”
He smiled. “No, no. I just want to know where you got him, that’s all.”
She lowered her head. Finally, “My friend.”
Her mother touched her shoulder. “Darcy, tell Dr. Shroyer where you got him.”
“From Matthew.”
“Matthew? Your cousin, Matthew?”
“Yes.”
Mrs. Logan turned to the vet. “She brought him home one day. It’s not the first time. Is there something wrong with him?”
“No, not really. This is the same kitten you’ve been bringing here, right? You didn’t get another one?”
Ashley Logan’s eyes registered confusion. “Of course not, it’s the same one. Why?”
He scratched his head. “Well, Mrs. Logan, you brought me a kitten six months ago for shots. This kitten. Six months, Mrs. Logan, and he’s still a kitten!”
“Well, he hasn’t grown much, has he? We figured his growth was stunted or he was small for his age, I dunno.”
“Umm, yes. Oh well, I’m sure he will be fine. If you find out exactly where she got him from, would you let me know? Just for curiosity.”
“Certainly, Doctor. How much do I owe you?”