Free Jackie's Wild Seattle by Will Hobbs

think of something to say but came up empty. It was as bad as I was afraid it was going to be.
    Jackie waited me out. Finally I said, “You’re not sure that working here is helping, are you?”
    Jackie shook her head as she reached for another baby squirrel. “It’s just that Tyler’s been here long enough already. There should be some positive signs in the way he relates to the animals. He keeps himself so stiff, so detached, and not just when he’s cleaning cages. I mean,even when he’s bottle feeding Chuckie and the little porcupine. I thought for sure they would melt his heart.”
    â€œHe was pretty pleased with himself, holding Liberty.”
    â€œThat’s hopeful, but I think it doesn’t count.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œHe knew you were watching, Shannon. After all, you’re a very attractive girl. The look you saw was probably more about him and you than him and the eagle.”
    â€œNow I’m embarrassed.”
    â€œDon’t be. Just keep that in mind. And you ought to be getting back to bed. It’s late, we’re almost done—I can finish up with these last few.”
    â€œI’m enjoying this so much, having the chance to visit with you. What will you do about Tyler?”
    â€œI just don’t know. He’s got me stumped. The magic isn’t working.”
    â€œCody says Tyler watches the bear cub a lot, through the fence. Has he ever asked if he can wear the bear suit, feed the bear?”
    â€œNo, but he would never come right out and ask. I could try that. Unless Tyler might hurt the cub, that is.”
    â€œHe wouldn’t,” I said.
    â€œWhat makes you so sure? I’d like to give him a chance, but when he’s with the bear, we’d have to be able to trust him. We can’t be spying on him, or it’s pointless.”
    â€œWhen he was holding Liberty, the way he looked, I honestly don’t think that was about me watching him. I think that was the real Tyler, when he wasn’t on guard, trying to act how his father expects him to.”
    Jackie raised an eyebrow at me.
    â€œI really believe it, Jackie. You know what I think? Tyler regrets what he did. He’s just so locked inside himself, hecan’t show what he feels. He thought Liberty was wonderful. If he could be the one to feed the bear cub, all by himself….”
    â€œYou just sold me. It’s a huge risk, but I’ll try it.”
    â€œOne more thing before I go back to bed, Jackie…. What are Liberty’s chances?”
    â€œNot good, Shannon. She’s still not standing up.”
    â€œWhy do you think Neal got so attached to her? He never does that, right? With the other animals, he doesn’t check back after he delivers them. He brings ’em, Jackie fixes ’em?”
    â€œPretty much. Once in a while he’ll come into the clinic when we’re having trouble handling an animal, usually a raccoon. Otherwise he stays away. He never says much about why. Neal is not a big talker about his own feelings, about personal matters, as you may have noticed. What I do know is that your uncle has more feeling for the emotions and secret lives of animals than anyone I’ve ever met.”
    â€œWhat are you getting at?”
    â€œYou know not all our animals make it. We can’t save them all. I’m just guessing, but I think he can’t bear to let himself care too much about them after he rescues them. He’d have his heart broken over and over. He tries to keep his mind on doing what he can. But like I said, he’s not much for talking about his feelings.”
    â€œMy mother told me before we left: ‘Not a great communicator but as good a person as you’ll ever meet.’”
    â€œWell, here’s my theory about Neal and Liberty. Something about that magnificent bird, how vulnerable she is, just pushed him over the edge. He couldn’t help caring about her,