Relentless Read Online Free PDF

and
pulled out his computer to get some work done.
    ***
    Melinda walked out to her vehicle, exhausted. The
day had been long and trying. Her father’s chemo hadn’t gone as
they’d expected. He didn’t do well on it and had been sick much
sooner, so she’d been home to help her mother. Then, someone had
hit a stray dog right before closing, and she had to head back to
the clinic for an emergency surgery. It was ten at night, and
they’d just finished up.
    She unlocked her SUV and tossed her bag across to
land on the passenger seat. Starting the engine, she called her
mother.
    “Hello?”
    “Hi, Mama. Do you need me to come by and do
anything?”
    “Are you just leaving the clinic?”
    “Yes, ma’am. But, I haven’t left the parking lot yet
so I can head to your house if—”
    “No, dear. Thank you, but he’s finally settled into
sleep. We’ll be fine. You can come over, and I can fix you
something to eat if you’d like.”
    Food was the farthest thing from her mind, but she
heard the need in her mother’s tone. “That,” she said, pushing her
bone-weary fatigue away, “would be perfect. I’ll be right there.”
So, instead of heading back to her small place, she turned the nose
of her vehicle toward her parents’.
    Her mom, Inez, stood out on the porch as she drove
up. Melinda parked and hopped out with a wave. She hugged her mom
then trailed her in the house. They went to the kitchen where she’d
spent many an hour watching her mom and grandmother whip up
fantastic meals.
    “How was work, other than the emergency that kept
you late?”
    “Papa has a terrific staff, and they handled it all
extremely well. Tomorrow is surgery day, so I will be out of touch
most of the time, but I’ll call you in between my surgeries.”
    Her mom set a plate of grilled salmon, asparagus,
and rice pilaf before her. “You don’t need to do that. We’ll be
fine.”
    “I need to do it, Mama, so I’m fine.” She picked up
her fork, grateful she’d listened to her mom, for her belly was
grumbling in anticipation. “This looks delicious, thank you.”
    Her smile was sad. “I thought I would fix some of
his favorite food; didn’t do much good, as he didn’t want to
eat.”
    She reached out and squeezed her mom’s hand. “They
said he wouldn’t feel like it much, and that his nausea will get
worse before it gets better. It’s new for all of us, Mama.”
    Her mom poured some tea and joined her at the table.
“I know; it’s just hard.”
    Melinda ate a bite of the fish, so flaky and moist
it fell apart in her mouth. “Perfect,” she said after she
swallowed.
    She stayed for an hour after her mom went to bed,
just in case her father woke, then she dragged herself back out to
her vehicle and headed to her place where she stumbled into bed
with a groan.
    When her alarm went off, she fumbled around to smack
it silent. Pushing up, she wiped her hand along her face, rolling
her eyes when she felt drool. “Cripes, that’s pathetic.” Yawning,
she navigated to the shower and stood under the hot spray.
    Dressed, she made herself some breakfast that she
ate slowly. Dishes in the sink, she stared at the mess and said, “I
promise, when I get home today, I will put more things away.” Then,
she closed the door on it and walked to her vehicle, mug of coffee
in hand.
    “I’ll be in my office if you need me,” she mentioned
to Janelle as they passed in the hall.
    “You got it, Doc. How’s Dr. Glazer doing?”
    “It was rough yesterday. I’m going to call and see
how he’s doing today. Thanks for asking.”
    “We all love him here and send our love.” Janelle
pushed through back to the kennel area.
    Melinda closed the office door and sat at the desk.
Her hand shook as she called her mom to find out he was, as
predicted, nauseous but in okay spirits. That finished, she looked
over her day.
    The phone beeped, and she pressed the button.
“Yes?”
    “Dr. Glazer, there’s someone here who wants to speak
with