The manager eyed him sympathetically, counting out cash from the register. Derrick’s stomach twisted as the final stack amounted to only half of what he needed. Hopelessness pressed against his chest like a weight. He’d given everything, but it still wasn’t enough to save Rusty.
Cradling the meager sum, Derrick felt tears sting his eyes. He mumbled a raspy thank you, shoulders sagging in defeat. As he turned to leave the store, he braced himself for the looming finality of Rusty’s scheduled euthanasia. His entire body screamed for rest, yet surrender seemed inevitable.