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While I was talking, I couldn’t help but steal glances at Olive. She didn’t have to sacrifice her free Saturday to be here, yet she was.

Sometimes I feared all of it was too good to be true. I didn’t have time to think about that, though, as it was time to let everyone finally unleash their questions.

“Does anyone have any questions?” I asked.

This time, almost everyone’s hand shot up. Wow. Either I hadn’t been coherent with my presentation, or they all really wanted to go deeper into the subject.

I pointed at Milly. “What would you like to know, Milly?”

She stood up and ran her hands over her flower-patterned skirt to take out the creases. “I’m wondering whether this information is true for other animals as well? As you know, I don’t have a cat or a dog, but I do have a turtle.”

I cocked an eyebrow. This was a first. Never in my years of talking about this topic had anyone ever asked me this. “Your turtle is all set. Nothing about what I just said applies to him, so no need to worry or take action.”

Milly nodded. “Oh, okay. I’ll be making another appointment soon, though. I’m afraid he’s got some problems with the hardness of his shell.”

Melissa jumped up next, not even bothering to wait for Milly to sit down.

“Lewis,” she started, then giggled. “I mean, Doctor Grant. Gosh, I’ve gotten so used to calling you by your first name.” She paused for a moment as if waiting for some kind of reaction. “Anyway, as you might have heard already, I’m a dog whisperer. Do you think neutering and spaying would have an effect on the way pets communicate with me?”

Another question that no one had ever asked me before. And honestly, one I’d never even thought about. Did Melissa truly believe she could communicate with dogs? I mean, of course you could have a wonderful connection with a dog if you knew the animal well, but picking up on their exact thoughts seemed a bit far-fetched. Then again, Olive read tarot cards for dogs, and I supported her in that, didn’t I? I had a feeling Olive was more relaxed about it, though, and saw it more as a bit of fun instead of an exact science.

“To be honest, I have no clue, Melissa,” I answered truthfully.

Diane let out a sigh that could probably be heard all the way across town.

Melissa flicked her hair over her shoulder and turned to Diane. “Is everything okay?”

The older lady sighed again. “I respect your commitment and dedication to your new… skill set, dear, but have you ever listened to yourself? Talking with dogs! What’s next, teaching cats how to speak in full sentences?”

Melissa’s mouth dropped open. She wasn’t the only one to be surprised by Diane’s comment. People started speaking in hushed tones to each other.

“Ladies,” I said, trying to stop this from getting out of hand. “Let’s just stick to asking questions, not attacking each other.”

“I’m not attacking anyone, Doctor Grant,” Diane said. “All I’m doing is stating the facts. Besides, I’m not the only one who feels Melissa is selling nonsense.”

“What?” Melissa cried out, then turned to face the crowd. “Who else thinks I’m not a real dog whisperer?”

Olive got up, a nervous look on her face. “Everyone, please calm down.”

“Oh, shut it, you,” Melissa said. “As if tarot card reading for dogs is a real thing.”

Leanne got up. “If it’s any help, Olive did a reading for Patches last week, and most of her predictions were true.”

Melissa balled her fists. “It’s not any help!”

“Well, you did help Patches as well,” Leanne said. “I never understood why she kept howling like a werewolf when she went into the garden. It turned out she’s afraid of our gnomes.”

Diane rolled her eyes. “Anyone could tell you that, Leanne. Those gnomes are shabby and need a fresh layer of paint.”

“I’ll have you know those gnomes used to belong to my mother. No one gets to insult them.”

“Stop it,” Olive said loudly. “You’re upsetting people with your arguing and shouting. I mean, look.” She turned to Addy, who was looking rather pale. “Are you okay? Should I call someone for you?” She kneeled down beside Addy.

“I’ve got to throw up,” Addy said and ran out.

Olive’s eyes shot daggers at Diane and the other bickering ladies. “See what you did? And to a pregnant woman. You should be ashamed of yourselves.” She started in the direction of the bathrooms. “I’m going to check on Addy.”

A silence fell over the group for a couple of seconds, but then everyone started talking excitedly about Addy’s pregnancy. Phones were whipped out of bags and pockets, and the news began to make its way outside of the community center walls.