New Beginnings Read Free Page B

what have I done?
    I slowly pull my hand out of the cage. “Sorry,” I say. I latch the catch securely.
    â€œWow,” says the girl across the aisle. “Chewie let you pet her?”
    â€œChewie?” I ask.
    â€œYeah, Chewie. That’s her name.” She points to the bunny.
    â€œShe didn’t try to bite you?” another kid asks.
    â€œNo, why?” I ask.
    â€œIt appears we have a bunny whisperer among us,” Mr. Hart announces.
    Several students laugh.
    â€œAll I did was pet her,” I say.
    â€œYes, but no one has been able to pet her since we got her two months ago. She bites and scratches and is a bit of a nervous Nellie. You’re the first person, as far as we know, who she’s let pet her.”
    â€œOh,” I say. I look at Chewie and she looks back at me, cute and innocent.
    â€œDo you have rabbits or other pets at home?” Mr. Hart asks.
    My face warms. “No,” I say. “But I volunteered at the animal shelter in Pittsburgh. I’m very good with animals.”
    â€œI can see that,” Mr. Hart says, rubbing his chin. “Chewie needs a new home. She isn’t getting along with the students. Maybe you’d like to give it a try.”
    â€œThat’d be great,” I say.
    â€œYou’ll need your parents’ permission of course.”
    â€œI’m sure my parents will agree,” I say. What am I thinking? Dad might agree. But Mom? I’ll need all the help I can get to convince her. I have to talk to Josh as soon as possible.
    â€œAll right, Jules from Pittsburgh,” Mr. Hart says, “please see me after class. We’ll discuss the details.”
    Mr. Hart begins to make another announcement about some kind of upcoming streams cleanup event, but I’m having a hard time paying attention. I can’t stop smiling and looking at Chewie, who has one ear up and one ear down. She looks like she is smiling, too. It’s a goofy little smile, with her front teeth sticking out just a tiny bit.
    Finally I’ll have a pet to care for. I start thinking about building Chewie a bigger home than the little cage she’s in now. This cage might be good for carrying her safely from one place to another and maybe for sleeping at night. But I learned at the Pittsburgh shelter that all animals, including rabbits, need enough space to run or hop around and play. I’ll make her a tunnel, agility ramps, and hidey holes, too.
    Science class zips by. The more I think about having Chewie as a pet, the more excited I get. The morning that started out so badly is definitely looking up.

Chapter Four
    S unita is right there after science class, and she stays with me while I talk to Mr. Hart. Sunita smiles and gives me a thumbs-up when she hears I’m going to bring Chewie home. She’s so nice, and she looks truly happy for me.
    â€œYou’re lucky it’s a cute bunny that needs a home,” Sunita says. “Last summer, Mr. Hart was looking for someone to take care of the class snake!”
    Mr. Hart chuckles and hands me a folder about rabbit care. He tells me I need a letter from my parents giving their permission and saying that we all understand what’s required to be a responsible pet owner of Chewie. I’m worried about Mom agreeing. What if she says we don’t have any extra money for pet supplies?
    Then Mr. Hart says, “Tell your parents that if this works out long term, you can have the cage, litter box, and water bottle, too.”
    â€œThank you, Mr. Hart. Thank you!” I say. I can’t wait to tell Josh.
    â€œI have to warn you,” Mr. Hart says. “Several students before you have taken Chewie home, and unfortunately those trials all ended in disaster. She’s not the tamest of bunnies. I see you have a way with animals, and that’s great. But this is more or less Chewie’s last chance with us. If it doesn’t work out, she might need to go to a