Kelly J Massey
An Ode to Babelicious
He paced the lobby
of the veterinary hospital.
A walk he seemed to have taken
several times before.
Though in younger years
probably much steadier.
Every approach of a tech,
every approach of a receptionist,
he would look expectantly
for any news of his loved one.
His face radiated hope,
his posture—anxiety.
Finally, the gentle old soul sat next to me.
“Your cat okay?” he asked,
gesturing to the carrier on my lap.
Genuinely concerned, but
genuinely trying to keep his mind
occupied. Don’t we all wish for that?
“Allergies.”
And he nodded as though he understood.
Not allergies, but the concern for
a member of the family who doesn’t feel well.
He walked this path before,
perhaps several times.
He twisted the aged wedding band
now worn on his right hand.
She had gone,
and any kids they might have had,
grown.
Only his faithful pet to share his time.
“Jerry?” a tech called,
and the gentle old soul took to his feet.
“Is she all right?” he asked, the anxiety
trembling in his voice.
This was a question that hadn’t returned
a wanted response before.
“She’s just fine, but we did have to take
fourteen teeth.”
“Fourteen?! Does she have any left?”
“Two. Here are her pain medications,
I’ll go get her.”
He wringed his hands now, a smile on his face.
Out trotted a grizzled old pug
on a neon pink leash.
“Come on, Babelicious,
let’s get a milkshake.”
An activity he’d practiced
with all his loved ones before.
He waved as he departed,
to the techs, to the receptionists,
to everyone in the lobby,
but to me he said,
“Good luck with your cat.”
“You too,” you gentle sir.
