— Son of a-

I tried not to curse while taking my hand away from the now barking tiny dog. You could always leave to the little ones to bite, while the big ones usually where the more docile and loving dogs. Well, at least here on the City Vet anyway. The fact that I would find amusing, if not for being the receiving end of the said tiny bite.

Sticking the assaulted finger in my mouth, I cursed again when realized the spit exchange I just had made.

— Are you ok there, Liam? — A grave but gentle voice chuckled behind me.

Brian, the owner and resident veterinarian of the place, showed up by my side to pick up the vicious little dog. His large frame was completely eclipsing me and effectively ceasing the annoying barks of the devil pinscher on the steel table.

— See, he's not that bad. — He said, promptly refusing to call the dog an "it".

— Easy for you to say, people, tend to respect you when you have an angry bear complexion.

The doctor's loud laugh filled the place while he clapped his massive hand on my skinny back, making me give an involuntary step front. You see, I'm not that good looking guy. I had some muscles, yes, but nothing out of common for the average non-working-out-man. I was tall, sure, but didn't have the enough meat on me to not look awkward with my height; which resulted in my posture always being a bit slouched.

— You're funny, boy. — He continued with a big smile on his face, — I like you, and you work fine, despite your accident rate, ha! I'm glad that I hire you to give me a hand. — leaving for the examination room, still with the maniac dog in his massive arms, he turned to me one last time — I'll finish giving this little one his medicine, put a band-aid on that and clean up the shelves, would you?for the examination room, still with the maniac dog in his massive arms, he turned to me one last time — I'll finish giving this little one his medicine, put a band-aid on that and clean up the shelves, would you?

Nodding, I fixed the large glasses on my face and went into the employee's bathroom. It's been five weeks since I started working in the clinic, six since I got into town.

I was trying to figure myself.

Once school was over, my parents, friends — everybody — started asking the dreaded question of all teenagers: What will you be from now on?

I had no idea whatsoever. So I decided to take a sabbatical year before going to university and try to figure it out who I was.

It didn't work so well.

I started to feel even more lost each night I spend alone in those little motel rooms, watching people running their day routines, with the life already all figured out. I didn't want to go back home to be a no one. I didn't want to stay where I was and vanish in a city with the name I couldn't even remember. I was lost.day routines, with the life already all figured out. I didn't want to go back home to be a no one. I didn't want to stay where I was and vanish in a city with the name I couldn't even remember. I was lost.

So, when I saw the help wanted sign on the window of the local veterinarian clinic, in this small town in inner state of São Paulo¹, it looked like a beacon to me.inner state of São Paulo¹, it looked like a beacon to me.sign on the window of the local veterinarian clinic, in this small town in inner state of São Paulo¹, it looked like a beacon to me.

[¹The story may be in Brazil, in a non-existing city, but I'm not naming them accordingly to the country. Just for the record: It would be weird to name a child as Brian here. The pronounce would sound like that French cheese.]

I had nothing to lose but my time and, the second I stepped inside, I was hired. Dr. Brian probably had seen that I was not all ok and decided to help me out. He was the shape of a wild bear, but his heart was more that of a teddy one. Soon enough I was washing dogs, cleaning and organizing the place. I would even help to give some oral and external medication to the pets. I may not have figured myself out in there, but at least I knew that veterinarian was not a career option.

— Liam! — Brian shouted from the entrance, snapping me out of my thoughts as I just finished with my bandage. — Liam hurry up, I'm leaving!

Frowning, I ran to meet him fishing for his car keys in his pocket in the parking lot.

— I received a call. I have to go. — He said, getting in — A, — he paused — A friend needs some help. I left the little trouble maker in one of the cages; his owner should be passing by at one o'clock to get him. — the engine was already started — if I don't come back until four pm, just close everything and go home, ok?

I look at him open mouthed till I realized he was waiting for an answer.

— Um, yes. Ok! — I had barely finished when he stepped on the gas, disappearing quickly down the road.