Blind Faith

The next day's work was normal.I see and treat all kinds of dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, and hamsters.Mark had been in town for the day and had bought a takeaway dinner and we were laughing and talking about it as we ate it.

I tried calling Isaac before we took Missy for a walk together, but he didn't answer, so I called again when we got back from the walk.But every time no one answered.

I frowned at my phone.At this time, Mark, who was complaining non-stop because he had to walk his dog in the deadly winter in Boston, stopped his insistence on the weather and asked, "Is he in a cold war with you now?"

I took off my coat and sighed, "I don't know."

Mark shook his head, "I thought you said this childish trick was over."

"That's what I thought too." Then I added, "I want to make sure there's nothing wrong with him. I guess he's on the bus today. Maybe I should give Hannah a call."

Mark raised an eyebrow. "I don't think you should be his nanny."

I sighed again: "I know."

"Try calling him later," Mark reasoned. "Maybe he's in the shower, or taking a shit, or something."

"That's right, it might be," I admitted, not even paying attention to his crude wording.

He patted me on the shoulder, "Go take a shower and try calling him later." He shook his head with a knowing smile, "If one day he tells you not to treat him like a nanny, but If you keep doing it, he's going to spank you. And it's not a good spanking."

Even though I was in a bad mood, I still laughed lightly.And after another transfer to his voicemail, I texted Hannah, even though it was late.Have you heard from Isaac today?

I waited for her reply and fell asleep.

***

Before leaving for work, I checked my phone again.Still no reply from Isaac, or Hannah.I began to wonder if it was a genetic trait of the Branigans.

I toss my keys, wallet, and phone in a desk drawer and start my day.Almost an hour later, as I walked into the waiting room to call my next patient, Kate called me from reception.

"Dr. Reese?" she called. "There's a call for you. It's Hannah Branigan. She says it's important."

I picked up the phone, "Hannah?"

"It was me, thank goodness Carter, I was going to call your cell. I just saw your text an hour ago," she said hurriedly.Her terrified tone seemed to stab a knife in my heart, "It's Isaac."

"What's up with him?"

"I don't know where he is now."

"What are you?"

She began to cry: "The place where he works called me this morning and asked me how he was doing. He called in sick yesterday. He didn't come to work at all. He never misses work, Carter. Then he Didn't go to work today, but he didn't call to ask for leave. So they called me to check on him." She gasped through tears, "I'm at his house right now. He's not here, and neither is Brady. "

I could feel my heart tightening, pounding against my chest. "Hannah, you need to call the police. If he's on the bus, they'll have CCTV footage. You need to tell them—"

Then a beep came from the phone.Hannah gasped, "There's a call coming in from my side. It might be from him. I'll call you later." Then the line hung up on my ear.

I looked over to Kate, who had listened to my conversation and was looking at me. "Hand me the phone," I said, "I've got to go," I told Kate, took the phone and pressed the number, "Cancel all my appointments." Then Mark got on the phone, "Mark, it's me. Listen, Isaac's gone—"

Before I could finish my sentence, a policeman walked through the gate leading a dog covered in mud, grime, and leaves on a leash.I would never have mistaken this dog.

It's Brady.

"Mark, I have to go," I said softly, and handed the phone back to Kate.

Then Lanny came over to me. "Okay, bring it in." She pointed the officer to my examination room.

"You know this dog?" asked the policeman.

"Of course we know the dog," Lanny told him.

"The owner of this little guy says you all know him," said the officer.

I managed to get the words out: "Where is the owner, the man with the dog?" I asked, "Is he all right?"

"The blind man?" the cop asked, putting Brady on the table. "He's okay, I guess. They took him to Kearney Hospital. He fell off the embankment at Warmpatuck State Park." Went down and spent the night there. The paramedics said the little guy," he patted Brady on the forehead, "was been keeping the man warm all night. That probably saved his life."

I gasped shaky and Brady yelped.

It was the first time I'd heard Brady bark in the six months I'd known him.It stood there, covered in mud and grime, wagging its tail like it was happy to see me, and then it blew again.Like trying to tell me what it did, or that Isaac was hurt.

"I know, man," I said, giving him a hug and a pat.

I turned to look at the others in the room. "Lanny, please get me my phone," I begged, "it's in my desk drawer." She walked out the door, and I started checking on Brady.Its mouth is clean, its tongue and gums are a healthy pink, and its nose is moist.Its eyes and ears are fine.It appeared to be in good condition, with no bruises or obvious injuries.But I want to make sure.

Lanny came back with my cell phone and I dialed Hannah's number.The call was routed directly to voicemail. "Hannah, Isaac is at Kearney. Brady is with me. Please call me."

"Do you know the dog?" the officer asked again. "In that case, do you also know the owner and have his cell phone number?"

I nodded and continued to check Brady's body: "Isaac Branigan, the blind man you mentioned is my boyfriend."

Lannie snapped her fingers at Kate, who was standing stunned by the door, "Get ready for an X-ray. We need a full-body scan."

"Oh." The officer blinked in surprise.

I looked at him, "Is he hurt? Did he get pushed or did he fall? Did he say what happened?"

The officer shook his head. "He said he fell by himself. There are signs all over there saying the trail is closed due to the recent rain, but the signs don't help blind people." He shrugged one shoulder. . "He was found by hikers this morning. No broken bones, just nearly froze to death, but other than that, he says he's fine. He's more worried about his dog than himself."

My eyes are moist, but I can't cry.I tried to stabilize my emotions.

The police officer continued: "Mr. Blennigan specifically asked us to bring it here, and he said you would know what to do. Sorry, I can't tell you more information." He smiled: "But since If you can take good care of this dog, then I will leave."

I took a deep breath and looked at the officer, "Thank you."

Lanny put her hand on my arm, "We're going to take him for an x-ray to make sure everything's okay with him, and then we can feed him. If he's been out all day and night, he's starving .We'll clean it up next."

I nodded, "Thanks, Lanny."

My assistant smiled at me. "It's okay. If you want to go, I can take care of Brady."

I nodded, "I'll check its x-ray first, and then I'll go," I told her, "If you wash it, make sure it's warm and has water. I'll be back later to pick it up." It, it can come home with me."

I was reviewing Brady's x-rays when Kate walked into my exam room with Mark.He said without waiting for an explanation: "What the hell is that, Carter?"

I turned to look at him, but he couldn't wait for me to explain.

"You called me, said Isaac was missing, and just hung up? I came here at the speed of light," he yelled.Then he noticed the dog lying on the examination table being examined by Lanny, looking at me with wide-eyed eyes. "Is this Brady?" He walked straight up to it and patted the muddy dog.

I nodded. "I'm checking the x-rays. It looks fine."

Mark looked from Brady to me. "Where the hell is Isaac?"

"Kearney Hospital."

"Then what the hell are you still doing here?"

"I'm leaving soon, but I have to check on Brady first. If I get over there and tell him I don't know what's going on with Brady, or I just leave him like that, He's going to be mad at me," I told him, "anyway, it's not been more than 10 minutes. I'll just sit in the waiting room when I get there." How absurd it sounds.

"Let's go, I'll drive," Mark said, shaking his head, "You know, I said that before, but for someone as smart as you, you're fucking stupid."

Lanny smiled and patted my arm and told me: "It doesn't look like a big deal, it's just dirty and had a rough night. I'll feed it, clean it up and groom it , get it in place so you can take it home."

I smiled at her a little, "Thank you." Then I patted Brady, put my forehead against his, and told him, "I'll tell him you're okay."

Mark grabbed my arm and pulled me away. "It's very touching, Dr. Doolittle, but get in the fucking car."

①From the 1967 American movie "Doctor Dolittle", the protagonist is a weird veterinarian who knows how to talk to animals.

***

I have always hated hospitals.I mean, nobody likes a hospital.I called Hannah in the car and this time she answered.She was already there, and she told me they were moving him from the ER to the ward so we would know where to find them when we got there.

That smell, plus that damn slow elevator, is enough to make anyone hate hospitals.But when I turned the corner and almost broke into Ward No. 11, I had never been so happy to be in a hospital in my life.

Hannah stood up to greet me.She had already cried, her eyes were red and swollen, and when she saw me, she cried again.I hugged her immediately, but I couldn't take my eyes off the man on the bed.He was lying on his side, facing us.

"Isaac." I called his name softly.

Despite looking tired, he smiled slightly, "Hey."

I let go of Hannah, then stroked Isaac's side face, "You scared me."

He frowned, then nodded with a frown, "Sorry."

"Hey, no apology," I whispered to him, "I'm just glad you're okay. Did you hurt anything?"

He shook his head, then took my hand from his face and held it in his.His voice was soft: "No, I just have pain all over my body. The doctor said it was because I had been frozen for too long. They kept me here overnight just to monitor the circulation in my hands and feet." Then he asked: "Is Mark here? I think I heard two people come in."

I looked over to my buddy, who was standing in the doorway, smiling at Isaac.Mark came in and stood beside me.If he was surprised by Isaac's blue eyes, he didn't show it.

"Yes, I'm here. Someone has to bring this useless piece of wood, or he's still running around in the pet hospital."

This reminds me. "Isaac, I saw Brady," I told him.

His eyes widened, the worry clearly visible on his face, "Is it okay? I had them send it to you."

"It's fine," I reassured him, "Babe, it's fine. I had a full body x-ray and I had Lanny clean it up. I'll pick him up in the evening and bring him back to my house .”

Isaac nodded and took one of my hands to his face.He closed his eyes, "Thank you."

Seeing him just laying there, without his sunglasses on, his disability in full view, made him look so vulnerable.He has always hated being seen without sunglasses; he feels more secure with them on.I want to protect him.I need to get closer, to feel him leaning against me, to know that he is safe now, and because of the way he holds my hand, I know he needs my proximity too.

I climbed into bed, put his head on my arm, and wrapped my other arm around his waist.

"How about we go get a cup of coffee?" Mark said to Hannah.He put his arms around her and led her to the door of the room.

"Mark, she's married, you remember?" I called after them.

"It's okay," he replied.Then I heard him ask, "Is your husband cute?"

I was amused by Mark and even Isaac smiled.I stroked his back and kissed the top of his head. "Do you want to tell me what happened?"

He was quiet for a while, then took a deep breath and confessed to me without reservation.

"I've been thinking about what you said," he began, "that I should use Hannah's absence to see if Brady and I really work together. So I thought of going to Wolverhampton. Mpatak look." He sighed, "We've been there recently, so I know Brady is familiar with it, and you've taken us on the bus before, and I think that gives me and Brady Di a little experience."

I smiled and hugged him tightly.

"Anyway," he continued softly, "we got there around ten o'clock. We took the paved trail first, and it worked out fine. But then I decided to see if Brady was as good as you said. , so we went to a further path." He took a deep breath, "Now it seems that there are some signs indicating that the path is closed. The road there is very slippery."

So I said, "I can't believe there's no gates or barricades or anything other than signage. It's not well guarded and seriously, people should be held accountable." responsibility."

"Yes," Isaac echoed softly, "that's my responsibility."

"what?"

"I'm so stupid," he admits, "I knew something was wrong, but I was too busy trying to verify that. It's really stupid, and it's dangerous." He shook his head and slid into my arms . "I knew I had to be back at the bus station by three o'clock before it got too cold, so I was probably going a little faster than I could reasonably go. We were about halfway there when I felt the ground start to give way. .Brady has been trying to stop me…”

Then he cried, "It kept stopping me, but I kept forcing it, telling it it was okay. I made it go. When we got to a place, it wouldn't move, so I said yes to it." He threw a tantrum. I yelled at him to move on, but he ignored it. I pulled the leash and it went flat," he said, tears soaking my T-shirt. Fell off on one side. It was like forty feet. It was all mud and it was cold. I lost my phone too."

② More than 13 meters.

"Oh baby," I said, trying not to cry too.

"I tried to listen for people passing by, for movement, but there was nothing. Only Brady was with me. He came down to accompany me. He tried to help me up, but it was slippery and steep. I I don't know if I'm going to fall any deeper, so I don't want to move. I'm so scared," he sobbed, holding me tight, "Carter, I'm so scared."

I couldn't help but shed tears.I can't even imagine what he went through.This is scary enough for a sighted person, let alone a blind person.I hugged him tighter.

Isaac shook his head, then continued, crying, "Brady wouldn't leave me. He stayed next to me. He was almost lying on top of me, keeping me warm. It was so fucking cold in there, but I have him by my side," he whimpered, and let out a trembling breath, "you were right, and Hannah. You were all right. He was a good dog, he was a really good dog. dog, I've always been so bad at him."

I kissed the top of his head and ran my hands along his back. "Brady knows you love it."

Isaac shook his head and cried even harder, "I can't believe I thought about not wanting it, just because we kept fighting over it. I thought if it was out of our lives, we'd never have it again." Got into a fight. God, how stupid am I?" He gasped softly, "I can't believe I treated him so badly and he came down the muddy bank and stayed by my side to keep me warm. God, Carter, I screwed everything up."

"Shh baby," I whispered reassuringly, running my hands through his back and through his hair, "it's all right now. You're safe and Brady is safe." I kissed his cheek again. Forehead, "Sleep, baby."

I pulled the blanket and Isaac snuggled into my arms, sobbing and sobbing quietly.Soon, his breathing stabilized, and he almost fell asleep crying.I didn't want to move because it might startle him.I want him to just lie in my arms forever, feeling safe and loved.

***

"I can't believe you would do such a thing." I murmured shaking my head.

"This saves the time of going through the formalities." Mark replied.He looked around the hospital parking lot, put on his dark glasses, and grabbed Brady's leash.

The dog shuddered like he knew it was a bad joke too, but like me, we didn't have anything to do with Mark.

"Come on," Mark said, "don't you want to meet your boyfriend?"

"Well, yes," I replied, "of course I want to see him."

"Then stop chattering," he joked, "and follow this blind man."

I rolled my eyes, "It's not really blind to flirt with your eyes closed in a nightclub on the weekend."

Mark laughed, but walked into the hospital pretending to be blind.We are really going to hell.

I wanted to bring Brady to Isaac, and Mark thought...well, actually Mark doesn't have to think about anything.

We walked through the front door of the hospital and down the corridor.Mark nodded to the two female nurses, and smiled at a short nurse aunt, then walked straight to the elevator door and reached out to press the elevator button. "My God, Mark," I snapped, lowering my voice, "if you're going to pretend you're blind, don't act like you can see."

"Oh."

"You still think I'm stupid."

The elevator doors opened and we walked into the elevator, and Mark laughed, "You know what, instead of taking Missy fishing for horses or kays, I should actually take Brady and put on sunglasses or something. Old God, imagine how many good-hearted people I can hook up with."

I sighed, "You're going to hell."

He laughed again, and the elevator doors opened, and we headed for Isaac's room.

He was sitting on the bed, wearing ordinary civilian clothes, looking much better. "Hey," I said, and I went over and kissed him, "Good morning. We have a guest for you."

Isaac smiled. "I think I heard claws on the linoleum floor."

So, at the risk of violating nearly every sanitation rule in the hospital, I lifted Brady and put him on the bed.Brady, a little uneasy about being lifted so high, or put on the bed, crouched down and crawled to Isaac, who wrapped his arms around him.He's cuddling it while Brady's tail is wagging wildly, and they're both excited to see each other.

"Oh, Brady," said Isaac, "you're such a nice boy."

I'm not sure who had the bigger smile, Isaac or Brady.or me.

"Hannah's having a big welcome lunch at the house," I tell him, "so we're going to have to get you out of the dogs, huh?"

Isaac laughed, then gave Brady another hug.He rubbed the hair on the dog's forehead: "Are you ready to go home, little one?"

Brady licked his face, and Isaac leaned back in surprise.I laughed and said, "I guess it was agreed."

***

six weeks later

We hear a car pull up in front of Isaac's house and he smiles.Despite the squeaking tires on the snow, Isaac knew the voice, "Here comes Max."

I got up and looked out the window.Indeed, Max came.

After his overnight adventure on the excursion, Isaac had called Dr. Fields for the first time since his retirement.After that, they made several phone calls one after another, and this was the second time the old man came to visit.

His first visit came shortly after the accident.Isaac was told to stay at home and rest for a week after he was discharged from the hospital.Of course he felt it was unnecessary, and even quarreled with the doctor, but he finally gave in.He spends his time resting, reading, and preparing for lessons.But he also finds some time to have fun with Hannah; they go out for coffee, go to the movies, and fill the fridge with cooking.I'm glad to see them reconnecting as siblings, even as friends, rather than a blind man and his caretaker.

But Dr. Fields also called.Isaac called him and apologized for not getting in touch sooner.He explained what had happened at the state park, and Dr. Fields had come to see him that afternoon, worried.

Dr. Fields was shocked, Isaac later told me, "but not nearly as shocked as when I told him I was in a relationship with you."

I didn't know if I should laugh or bang my head on the table.But that was the end of the matter, and it seemed that, after a gaping silence, the old man had embraced the news.Considering all aspects, his attitude is very open-minded.

Isaac told him candidly, in a "that's the way it is" tone, that I was probably the best encounter of his life.Isaac also told him that while he meant no offense, Max's retirement was a blessing in disguise.Dr. Fields laughed, Isaac said.After that afternoon of getting along, their relationship returned to the past.

Isaac greeted Dr. Fields by the door: "Come in."

The old man walked in, holding a big square package in his hand.That thing looks like it has a lot of weight.I walked quickly toward him and took the brown-wrapped box. "Come on, let me hold this for you."

He smiled. "Thank you, Carter. It's just a box of cement, but in my house it's called 'my wife's fruitcake.'"

I chuckled and set the heavy box on the kitchen counter.This weight is really like cement.

"Helen must bring some here," the old man continued, "I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all," Isaac replied. "Thank you." He sat down on the couch. "How was your Christmas break, Max?"

Dr. Fields leaned back on the sofa and let out a sigh. "Nothing, just my grandkids coming over, chirping, jumping up and down and chirping," he said with a smile, "but it was a great feeling. How about you? How was your Christmas?"

"Great," Isaac told him. "We have some exciting news. In July, Hannah and Carlos will have their first child. I'm going to be an uncle soon."

Dr. Fields laughed happily. "Oh, that's wonderful! Help me convey my congratulations to her."

"I will," Isaac promised, "except for this, me and Carter, and Hannah and Carlos, we spend Christmas together. The whole family eats lunch and then dinner. It's really great."

That was great.The atmosphere was quiet, we exchanged some small gifts, ate enough, fed the dog all kinds of affection, and then continued to eat more.

Dr. Fields turned his attention to me. "How are you doing, Carter? How's the hospital going?"

I smiled and said: "I'm fine, thank you. As for the work, I think you must know, it's really busy, but it's going well. You should really find time to come and see. I'm sure colleagues will be happy to see you to yours."

"Oh, I don't want to make people look like me," he said with a smile.

"People will definitely not act like you," I told him, "Ms. Yao often asks about you."

"Oh, the little old lady," he said sincerely, "how is she doing? How is Mr. Beard?"

"Mr. Beard died," said Isaac softly, "just about three months ago."

"Oh, no." Dr. Fields frowned.

"I'm sorry I didn't call you," I offered, "I wanted you to know."

"It's all right," said the old man, "she must be very sad."

"Yes, she's sad," I echoed, "but I see her every other week on Thursday. You know she has no immediate family and she's 92 years old. Just before Christmas, Ai Sack also thought it might be a good idea if we sent her another buddy. So three weeks ago, we sent her one."

Dr. Fields looked at Isaac, obviously surprised, and then a smile slowly spread across his face, "Really? Another cat?"

I nodded: "Yes, we found a five-year-old tabby cat who doesn't seem to get along very well with children, and we thought, considering that Mrs. Yao also doesn't get along well with children, they must get along very well .”

Dr. Fields smiled, "So how are they getting along?"

"Well," I told him, "she was crying, of course, but by the time we left, the tabby was asleep in a chair in front of the fire, and Mrs. Cook more fish."

Dr. Fields looked at me, then at Isaac, and smiled. "So, about New Year's Eve," he said, "any crazy plans?"

Isaac snorted: "It's hard to say. Carter was going to take me somewhere, but he didn't tell me exactly where."

I laughed, "How about I go make some coffee?" I got up and walked into the kitchen, successfully dodging the subject.

Isaac wailed in frustration.He had been pestering me throughout the day asking where to take him, but they chatted quickly while I was killing time in the kitchen.I fiddled with the coffee maker for a while, then took the dogs outside to pee, and when I got back inside, both dogs were in the living room where Isaac and Dr. Fields were sitting.

Both said hello to the dogs, and I saw Dr. Fields looking at Isaac, curious to see how he patted and talked to Brady.He turned to look at me, eyebrows raised and a smile on his face, so I nodded back at him.

"Sugar, milk?" I asked.

"No need," the old man replied, "black coffee is fine."

"Shall I cut some fruitcake?" I asked Dr. Fields.

"Please, please don't," he replied, rubbing his belly. "You can use it as a doorstop, or something."

I laughed and brought over three steaming cups of coffee when Isaac's cell phone rang in my pocket.The synthetic voice announced the caller's name, which was Mariana, his boss.

"Excuse me," Isaac said, "I'll answer the phone in another room."

I can still hear the opening lines of the call as we watch him go.She must have called to wish him a Happy New Year, because Isaac quickly responded with a congratulations.

Dr. Fields cleared his throat so I could turn my attention to him. "So, Carter," he began, "I must say, I was really surprised when he told me you two were... in a relationship." He took a sip of his coffee, and I thought for a second Take a look at where this conversation is headed.But he went on to say: "Your private life has nothing to do with others, but I have to tell you," he looked at the door Isaac had just entered, "now this man is the same as the one six months ago." Big difference. I've known him for years, but I haven't seen him this happy in a long time." He smiled at me. "If only he had been this happy before."

I smiled back at him: "His change is really progressing with each passing day. He is still aggressive and sarcastic, but he is learning to control his resentment and anger."

"Thanks to you," said Dr. Fields.

I shook my head. "No, thanks to Brady," I told him, "you should see how well they get along now."

The old man smiled as Isaac walked back into the room.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he said, sitting back on the couch. "Carter, Mariana wishes you a happy new year."

I smiled and handed him the coffee.We continued talking for a while until both dogs fell asleep on the rug, and when Dr. Fields said goodbye, he promised to go to the veterinary hospital to say hello.

Isaac walked Dr. Fields to the door while I put the empty glass in the sink.When he came back, he came over, reached out to me, and put his arms around me lightly, rubbing the tip of his nose against my neck.

"God, I really like the smell of you."

I chuckled, "Are you giving me ecstasy soup now so I can tell you where I'm taking you?"

I can feel him smiling against my neck: "No."

"Liar."

He chuckled, "Please?"

I sigh. "Okay," I relented, "we're going ice skating."

He stood up straight and opened his mouth wide, "No, I won't go."

"Yes, you will go."

"Hmm," he shook his head, "Carter, I can't skate."

"You can," I said, and I tightened my arms around his waist, "we'll go ice skating, it'll be fun and romantic, and then we'll come back, warm up, and have dinner,