Unfortunately, people were milling around Karyn for the next twenty minutes, unwilling to let her move too much until a pair of paramedics hurried in, presumably from the ambulance they called.
"Sorry 'bout all the fuss," said one of the managers who was working for the zoo. "But our insurance and liability regulations are tight."
"I'm okay, really!" Karyn insisted. "It's just a little bump."
Her protests were ignored for the most part as the paramedics poked and prodded at her and tested her for possible concussion. For a while it sounded like they wanted to take her to the hospital. I felt my ears go flat as she argued with them, but they finally relented and decided she was okay. I almost relaxed, but my body was too tense -- my tail kept flicking madly back and forth.
It felt like another hour passed before people started filtering out of the room, leaving Karyn in a chair with just the one other animal handler. "I'm really fine!" Karyn said for about the hundreth time.
"We're just worried, that's all." The older woman glanced my way. "I hope all this noise and commotion hasn't bothered Jonni. I'd hate to have any complications happen at this point."
"Oh, Jonni!" Karyn looked over at me, shocked. "I almost forgot." She reached up and touched the bump on her head, then winced. Standing up she was a little wobbly, then started walking over to me.
The other woman grabbed her arm and held her back. "I wouldn't do that -- she's probably very irritable right now."
You better believe it! I thought, tail lashing. I kept from growling, though, and focused on trying to look harmless. It was very hard to lie still.
"Jon - I mean, Jonni would never hurt me!" Karyn said and pulled her arm free. She was just reaching in closer when the first cramp hit. I yowled in pain and nearly caused Karyn to fall over again as she yanked her arm back, eyes wide.
"I told you!" the other woman snapped, then leaned closer as the pain hit me again. "Looks like her contractions are starting. Better get ready just in case something happens with the birth of the kittens."
Karyn just nodded slowly, looking at me, a little too afraid to stick her hand back in for the rock just yet.
