Fight for Life
Chapter Seven
Maggie loves the kitchen. It’s in the oldest part of the house, with wide wooden beams overhead and worn floorboards that creak underfoot. Gran has combined the original dining room and kitchen into one giant room with a fireplace and a couch, along with normal kitchen things. A sliding glass door looks out onto the patio and backyard, letting in the afternoon light.
David stretches out on the couch and declares he’s ready to be waited on. Brenna throws a pillow at his head, and he yelps and ducks. Maggie scans the pantry, and reports there’s plenty of dog biscuits, but not much else to eat. Maggie pushes aside pasta, canned peas, and oatmeal to see the last of the Girl Scout cookies in the back. There’s not many, so she pulls out some pickles as well and sets the jar on the counter.
Sherlock trots into the kitchen, looking healthy, his tail wagging as he sniffs at the pantry door. Sunita asks what the best part of living there is. Maggie takes a bite of a pickle, chewing it over before she answers. She says it’s getting to know the patients. Animals are like people to her. The worst part is when an owner doesn’t treat an animal properly. And it’s hard not to get upset and cry when they die. But it’s such a rush to help animals and their owners that it makes up for the sad times. That’s why Maggie wants to be a veterinarian.
Brenna points out that’s why she should do her homework. Maggie flashes her a look, but she continues to say that Maggie hates homework. That’s why she was asked to volunteer—so that Maggie can get help with her clinic chores.
Sunita comments that she wishes she could come every day. David exclaims that’s a great idea! They could all volunteer and come after school and on the weekends. They all stare at Maggie, and she’s speechless for a moment before she can find her words. Maggie finally says they’re used to doing things alone.
Brenna says they just need a plan to show Gran that they’re all needed. David admits that he always thinks positively. There’s no way she’ll say no to volunteers like them.
But all Maggie sees is trouble. Maggie may not be a real vet, but she knows how to do all the little stuff, and she’s proud of that. She doesn’t want anyone else around, getting in the way or slowing things down. Just then, the phone rings, cutting through the chatter. It’s Aunt Rose, Dad’s sister. She and Gran don’t talk much. Aunt Rose has a daughter named Zoe. Aunt Rose explains that she got offered a role in a new TV sitcom and is leaving for LA the next day. She’d like to talk to Gran.
Maggie has a funny feeling about this, like something is about to change.