Fight for Life
Chapter Sixteen
The following Saturday, Gran and Zoe usher Maggie out of the house right after breakfast. Maggie rides her bike down to her tutor’s place, the morning air still cool. Her tutor is a retired teacher named Mrs. Shea. So far, things are going well between them. Maggie tells her that she got an A for content on her report, especially on how she wove in the new puppy mill law and the explanation. But she got a C for mechanics and spelling, and she winces a little at the reminder that she still has work to do there.
When Maggie gets home, she finds Brenna, David, and Sunita gathered out on the front lawn, looking puzzled. They say that Dr. Mac won’t let them in. They all received handwritten notes from Dr. Mac telling them to come, but now, standing right there on the porch, she won’t let them through the door.
At exactly noon, the door swings open to reveal Gran’s warm smile. Gran leads them into the kitchen, which smells like rich, buttery cake fresh from the oven. Zoe is by the sink, piled high with dirty mixing bowls and cake pans from her morning of baking. Zoe pulls out a giant cake covered in white frosting, with the words “Thank You” written across the top in swirls of chocolate icing. Gran takes a cake-cutting knife and carefully slices the cake into five fat, generous pieces.
Gran mumbles that it was all Zoe’s idea. Apparently, Zoe wanted to bring in a caterer instead, but Gran wouldn’t hear of it. Then, Gran straightens up and announces to the group that Captain Thompson found homes for nearly all the dogs he took back to the shelter. He came by earlier that morning to take pictures of the puppies still left. He’s going to start a waiting list for when they’re ready to go to a good home.
Maggie hears a rustling noise under the table. She looks down to see the mutt curled up there, happily playing with Sherlock’s tail. Zoe announces to everyone that she named him Sneakers, and Gran says they may even get to keep him. Gran adds that he’s been sneaking around as if he already owns the place, poking his nose into every corner of the kitchen.
Maggie asks what’s going to happen to the other animals. Gran explains that Shelby was given to the twins, since Dinky won’t be going home after all. Inky and Shelby became close friends, always curled up together.
Gran explains she wanted to throw the party to say thanks to each of them, and to show how much their help meant to her. She even got them each a present. She pulls out an envelope from a cardboard box. She adds that it’s for Brenna to make a donation to an animal rescue of her choice. For Sunita, a book on feline anatomy, and for David a Three Stooges video. And for Zoe, a lab coat of her own, so she doesn’t need to ruin any more of her shirts. And for Maggie, a calculator that prints out past work on a long strip of paper, like a receipt.
Gran pushes up her sleeves, wipes a bit of flour from her apron, and says that they all surprised her. She admits they’re a good team, glancing around at each of them. But now, things are back to normal, and they won’t need—
Dr. Gabe sticks his head in the door. He asks if there’s more cake left. As Gran cuts him a piece, Maggie looks around the kitchen at all of her friends. She realizes right then what she needs to do. She takes a deep, steadying breath, and stands up.
Maggie thanks them all for their help. She’s learning that asking for help is a good thing, even when it’s hard for her to admit. Maggie admits she was hurt when Gran invited Brenna to help out. Then, David and Sunita were in, and she was out. And then to top it off, Zoe came to stay. Maggie felt like she was losing her place at the clinic and wasn’t needed anymore. But, there’s plenty of work at a veterinary clinic, she realizes. Plenty of work for Maggie to do, but also for Brenna, David, Sunita, and Zoe. They should let them all stay. And then Gran would have more time to spend doing her newspaper columns and research, and Maggie would have more time with Mrs. Shea.
Maggie wants them all to work together. Gran shoots Maggie a questioning look, as if to ask whether she’s truly sure. Nodding her head firmly, Maggie says she’s sure.
Gran stands up and rinses her plate off in the sink. She turns around to find everyone looking at her, waiting. What is everyone waiting for? It’s time to get started!