Treading Water Read Free Page A

exam table and watch. When Dr. Mac looks in the duckling’s mouth, she whispers, “No.”
    Then she opens a drawer beside the exam table and pulls out some long tweezers. With one hand Dr. Mac carefully opens the duckling’s bill, and with the other she inserts the tweezers. The duckling just lies there. No movement but the chest moving slowly up and down. No noise at all. Dr. Mac draws the tweezers out, and something long, shiny, and stringy is pulled from the duckling.
    â€œWhat is that?” Maggie asks.
    â€œThat is Easter basket grass,” Dr. Mac says.
    â€œOh! These are abandoned Easter gifts,” I say. I immediately feel sick to my stomach. People can be so reckless with animals.
    â€œI don’t get it,” Nick says. He is still holding the empty box. “Some little kids got live ducks instead of marshmallow ones?”
    I nod. “Instead of letting the Easter bunny just bring a basket of jelly beans and chocolate, some parents also give baby bunnies and chicks. And baby ducks, obviously. I hadn’t considered it before. But Easter was only a week and a half ago, and we’ve already found boxed chicks and bunnies on the doorstep of the wildlife rehab.”
    Zoe’s eyes are huge. “Wait a sec. So parents give their kids a pet then take it away a few days later?”
    â€œAnd who thinks a baby chicken is a pet? They shouldn’t, anyway.” Maggie adds.
    â€œIt’s true. Every year we get people’s cast-off animals. Every year my parents wish they could do something about it.” I look at the faces around the examining table and then down at all the little ducks. Everyone is quiet. Even Zoe
    â€œWell, I gotta get going,” Nick says to me. “You did a great job today. I’m sure I’ll see you around school. I’ll probably stop in when you do your presentation for the Photography Club.”
    â€œThanks,” I reply. “You know, I was thinking I’d like to join your Outdoor Club.”
    Zoe raises an eyebrow and stares at me.
    â€œOh,” Nick says, crossing his arms. “I don’t know if you can. It’s for high school kids. Someday, right?” He smiles and nods.
    Why do I immediately feel five years old?
    â€œI can walk you out,” Zoe says. Her eyes are sparkling, and her face is pink.
    â€œNot necessary,” Nick says. “See ya.”
    â€œThat guy is awfully cute.” Zoe says as soon as Nick leaves the room.
    I reply, “He’s president of the Outdoor Club. I spoke to his club today.”
    â€œAnd you want to join it, I see.” Zoe turns to Maggie, “Weren’t you supposed to do that, too?”
    â€œYeah, but I had a test to retake,” she says to Zoe. She looks at me with a sad smile. “How did it go?”
    â€œGreat. They were friendly, and they loved my photos, especially the one of the kits tumbling, and you wouldn’t believe how much nicer their school is, and all the great clubs they—”
    â€œGirls,” Dr. Mac interrupts. “Let’s finish with our patients first.”
    I feel bad. For a moment, I forgot about the reason we were all standing here. We help Dr. Mac get another stainless steel box and towel.
    She fills a small, needleless syringe with some fresh sugar water and gently squeezes the plunger with one hand while cradling the duckling in the other. Dr. Mac presses slowly to give the duckling some hydration. We’ve all done this ourselves after Dr. Mac trained us. Usually, it’s kittens that need this special treatment. We want to be sure the sick or hurt animal can actually swallow, so we don’t drown them. If the animal cannot—or shouldn’t—swallow, Dr. Mac gives the animal hydration through an IV. This little duckling is swallowing. A tiny bit. It’s going to be time-consuming to fully hydrate it.
    â€œWant me to take over?” Maggie asks. She puts her arms out, and Dr.