Fight for Life

Chapter Five

Gran hangs up the phone. She says everyone is busy. Brenna suggests they just get a couple more volunteers to help. Gran nods, and takes out the phone book from the back of the drawer. She says she’s calling David Hutchinson from across the street. Maggie knows he’s a goofball and a klutz, but Gran insists he’s close. Two minutes later, David gallops into the clinic. His bangs flop in front of his eyes, and he’s wearing a hockey jersey, old jeans, and untied sneakers.

Brenna says she knows David. They did a science project at school together, and he almost set the table on fire. He insists it was only a small explosion. Gran gives the three scrub tops and tells David to wash his hands, with soap and scrubbing his nails.

The bells on the front door jingle and Sunita Patel comes in, loaded down with books she borrowed. She’s one of the quietest kids from Ambler, Pennsylvania. She has chocolate brown eyes and long black hair. Her parents are both human doctors. She’s wearing loafers, khakis, and a purple turtleneck.

Gran says it’s perfect timing. They could use Sunita’s help. Sunit smiles and nods, but she’ll have to be home for dinner. Gran says she’ll need everyone’s eyes. She explains that seven puppies are coming in. She’ll decide who is sickest and who needs to be treated first. It’ll be the volunteers’ jobs to watch all the other pups. If their conditions change at all, they must tell Gran immediately.