Fight for Life
Chapter Sixteen
The following Saturday, Gran and Zoe chase Maggie out of the house right after breakfast. Maggie rides her bike down to her tutor’s place. Her tutor is a retired teacher named Mrs. Shea. So far, things are going well. 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.
When Maggie gets home, she finds Brenna, David, and Sunita out on the front lawn. They say that Dr. Mac won’t let them in. They all received handwritten notes from Dr. Mac telling them to come, but now she won’t let them in.
At exactly noon, the door swings open to Gran’s smile. Gran leads them into the kitchen, which smells like cake. Zoe is by the sink, piled high with dirty mixing bowls and cake pans. Zoe pulls out a giant cake with white frosting with the words “Thank You” written on top with chocolate icing. Gran takes a cake-cutting knife and cuts the cake into five fat pieces.
Gran mumbles that it was Zoe’s idea. Apparently Zoe wanted to bring in a caterer, but Gran wouldn’t let that happen. Then, Gran straightens up and announces that Captain Thompson found homes for nearly all the dogs he took back to the shelter. He came by in the morning to take pictures of the puppies left. He’s going to start a waiting list for when they’re ready to go to a good home.
Maggie hears a noise under the table. She looks down to see the mutt sitting there, playing with Sherlock’s tail. Zoe says she named him Sneakers, and Gran says they may even get to keep him. Gran says he’s been sneaking around as if he already owns the place. Maggie asks what’s going to happen to the other animals. Gran says that Shelby was given to the twins, since Dinky won’t be going home. Inky and Shelby became close friends.
Gran says she wanted to throw the party to say thanks to each of them. She even got them each a present. She pulls out an envelope from a cardboard box. She says it’s for Brenna to make a donation to an animal rescue of their 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 shirts. And for Maggie, a calculator that prints out past work on a strip of paper.
Gran pushes up her sleeves, and says that they all surprised her. They’re a good team. 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. As Gran cuts him a piece, Maggie looks around at all of her friends. She realizes right then what she needs to do. She takes a deep breath, and stands up.
Maggie thanks them all for their help. She’s learning that asking for help is a good thing. 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 and wasn’t needed anymore. But, there’s plenty of work at a veterinary clinic. 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 more time with Mrs. Shea.
Maggie wants them all to work together. Gran shoots Maggie a look… is she sure? Nodding her head, Maggie says she’s sure.
Gran stands up and rinses her plate in the sink. She turns around to look at everyone looking at her. What is everyone waiting for? It’s time to get started!