Adrian turned to Charlie, eyes intent. "What's your job that matters, son?"

"I'm a Dog Handler. Or at least I will be."

"And do you know why this is a job that matters?"

Charlie thought about it, then shook his head. "No, sir."

Adrian smiled, pleased. The boy would probably turn out to be very helpful in the future, reminded him of… Adrian stopped the stray thought. Not till they hit Arkansas. He wasn't allowed to think of it (be distracted by it) until then, and that was still a lifetime away.

"That's okay. When you do, come see me. In the meantime, Chris is the boss and teacher, so pay attention."

Charlie snapped off a salute. "You know it."

The very smart teenager stepped over to Chris with his hand out. "Hi. I'm Charlie, your new slave. What should I do first?"

Adrian grinned, and the stern-faced vet nodded, hiding his own smile.

"That's a real good start, boy. Put on the clothes in the bag and then come in the truck. I'll have her chained up by then. Today, we help dogs repopulate the earth."

"Cool."

7

On his way to the next stop, Adrian caught sight of movement in the gritty sky and watched an Eagle fly over his camp. It glided at an odd angle on the wind, swooping in sickly circles, as if she were lost, and Adrian mourned the bird and the country it unknowingly represented. Like the Eagle, America wasn't doing well.

Suddenly feeling weighed down with the burdens he was carrying, Adrian went to the medical area, not happy to see all the seats empty. People were afraid to hear what might be wrong, and soon he would have to enforce the testing law unless he thought of another way to get them in. Too bad Anne wasn't a doctor too. Being female would automatically draw in the women.

"Coming in." He ducked inside and smiled at the uniformed doctor and nurse kissing in a dim corner. They parted slowly and Adrian smiled at Anne when she blushed. Brown eyes twinkling happily, she stepped outside to give them privacy without being asked.

"Guess you've been a good boy," Adrian joked.

John nodded, faded eyes grateful. "Me and you both. She's glad we came now, and it does my heart good to see her happy."

Adrian perched on a stool, seeing the slight shake of scarred hands as the stocky man sat down across from him. "I'm glad too, John. We need you both. I guess by now you've pretty much got things figured out?"




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