Fight for Life Read Free Page B

malnourished. We need to keep him warm because he’s probably using all his energy to fight off the infection.” I pull a small blanket out of the cupboard. “This will help.”
    As I tuck the blanket around him, Dinky opens his tiny mouth and yawns, then snuggles his face against the palm of my hand. “Wow,” Brenna says. “No wonder you’re behind on your homework. You get to hang out with little critters like this!”
    Gran comes through the door wearing her serious vet face—no smile, just sheer concentration.
    Brenna jumps to her feet. “Hi, Dr. MacKenzie. Maggie was just teaching me about the I.V. stuff. The cages are all clean.”
    “Relax, relax,” Gran says. “Anyone can clean cages. A veterinary clinic needs people who love animals. I wish I had more like you and Maggie.”
    “What’s up?” I ask.
    “A litter of sick puppies is on the way in,” she says as she rubs her neck.
    “Yikes. A whole litter? Is Dr. Gabe coming?” I ask.
    “He’s out vaccinating the Wilsons’ goats,” she explains. “I’ll try to find another vet or a vet technician to come in.”
    “What’s wrong with the puppies?” I ask.
    Gran pauses. “Who knows? It sounds like they’re malnourished and wormy. I’ll need some extra eyes and hands. I can’t watch seven puppies at once.” She holds the phone between her ear and shoulder and looks for a phone number in the directory. “You two can help. Wash up.”

Chapter Five
    G ran hangs up the phone. “Bad news. Everyone is busy,” she says. “Gabe is dealing with an emergency at the Wilsons’ barn, so he’ll be late. We’re on our own.”
    “Do you really need another vet?” Brenna asks. “Maybe we just need a couple more people to help watch the puppies.”
    Gran nods. “You’re right. But I need them now.” She takes the phone book back out of the drawer and flips it open.
    “Who are you calling?” I ask.
    “David. David Hutchinson from across the street. He’s been pestering me about volunteering.”
    “Please, Gran, I’m begging you. Not David!”
    Gran points at a number on the page and dials the phone. “It’s time to give him a chance. He has grown up a bit.”
    “But . . . he’s a goofball. He’s a klutz—”
    “He’s enthusiastic. And he’s close.”

    Two minutes later, David gallops into the clinic as if he had been waiting for the call. His bangs flop in front of his eyes. He’s wearing a hockey jersey, the same pair of jeans he has worn every day for the past year, and sneakers. Untied, of course.
    “Hey, what’s up, Dr. Mac? Finally decided you couldn’t live without me? Or is it Maggie who needs my help?”
    David steps toward me. My hands curl into fists.
    “Maybe not!” He backs away.
    “This is Brenna Lake,” Gran says. “She’s helping out, too.”
    “David and I are in the same class,” Brenna says with a sigh. “We did a science project together. He almost set the table on fire.”
    “It was a small explosion,” David explains. “I had it all under control. Did you finish the homework?” he asks Brenna.
    “I did it on the bus,” she answers. “Do you have to pay for the broken microscope?”
    “You broke a microscope?” I ask. Typical. David can’t walk to the bus stop without causing damage. Gran is nuts to let him in here. What is she thinking?
    “OK, everyone, you can chitchat later. Put these on.” Gran hands us scrub tops.
    “Hey, cool!” David says. “These are just like the ones real docs wear.”
    “David, you need to wash your hands, and yes, you have to use soap. And scrub your nails,” Gran says.
    The bells on the front door jingle. Brenna jumps up and David spins around.
    It’s not the lady with the litter of sick puppies. It’s Sunita Patel, her arms loaded down with books she borrowed from Gran.
    Sunita is one of the quietest kids in Ambler, Pennsylvania. She’s about my size, with chocolate brown eyes and long black hair. Her parents are from India. They’re both