Four days after meeting Dr. Xavier Rush, Samantha spoke by phone with her sister Jeneva, pleased that her GoFundMe for Pooter had reached nearly nine thousand dollars. Pooter played in Samantha’s living room as Samantha credited the fundraiser’s success to a cute animal, a clear call to action, and her catchy title, “Pooter Needs a Poop Chute.”

Samantha and Jeneva joked about Xavier’s grumpy demeanor and attractiveness, with Samantha acknowledging that although she understood his medical stance, he had been unnecessarily rude. Curious, Samantha searched online and found a photo of Xavier receiving an AVMA award for volunteer hours treating rescue animals, which complicated her impression of him.

As they spoke, their mother entered Jeneva’s home. When Jeneva relayed Samantha’s greeting, their mother did not respond, which muted Samantha’s mood and hinted at ongoing family tension. Samantha refocused on the fundraiser, watching the total approach ten thousand dollars—enough for her to feel comfortable scheduling Pooter’s surgery before her planned trip to California in six weeks.

After refreshing the donation page, Samantha saw an unexpected $500 contribution. The donor was Xavier, who included a brief note: “You were right.” The donation validated Samantha’s efforts and directly contradicted Xavier’s earlier skepticism, signaling a shift in his stance and in the dynamic between them.