Free New Beginnings by Laurie Halse Anderson Page B

watching her. Meanwhile, I set up Cuddles’s new water bottle and clean out the wet cardboard and newspapers from her cracked and dripping old bottle.
    â€œDon’t let her chew on anything, or tell me if she starts,” I say.
    â€œOkay,” says Sophie, grinning her biggest smile and happily petting Cuddles. Cuddles looks calm and happy, too, so I take the opportunity to make my call to Dr. Mac’s in the hallway—away from both Mom and Sophie. I punch in the number from the free spay coupon and hope that Maggie is still at practice and won’t answer the phone. I downright dread hearing her voice. If she answers, I’ll just hang up. I hold my breath while it rings—three, four, five times.
    â€œDr. Mac’s Veterinary Clinic,” a friendly voice says on the other end of the line. “This is Sunita speaking. How may I help you?”
    â€œSunita?” I say, finally taking a breath. I’m so relieved it’s her and not Maggie. “It’s me, Jules. From school, with Chewie, the rabbit from Mr. Hart’s class.”
    â€œOf course I remember you, Jules!” Sunita says. “Is Chewie okay?”
    â€œOh yes, she’s fine. I just want to make an appointment with Dr. Mac to have her spayed. Mr. Hart gave me a coupon and said she was old enough now, so I should get her spayed as soon as possible.”
    â€œOkay,” Sunita says. “But Dr. Mac will want to do a quick checkup a day or two before she does any surgery, and we’ll need to set up a file for Chewie. I can do that for you over the phone if you want. Then I’ll check with Dr. Mac to see when her next available appointment and scheduled surgery days are.”
    â€œOkay,” I say. “But we changed Chewie’s name to Cuddles, so could you please set up her file as Cuddles?”
    â€œCuddles, what a cute name!” Sunita says. Then she takes down all my info and my parents’ info, too.
    â€œOkay,” Sunita says, “let me check with Dr. Mac.” She puts me on hold, with first a silly duck song playing in the background, then the one about the farmer and his dog.
    She’s back on the line a few minutes later. “Guess what?” Sunita says. “David just arrived to help feed the abandoned kittens, and your brother is with him.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œYes, and the tiny kittens are so sweet. Oh, and we had a cancellation at five fifteen today. Dr. Mac says you can bring Chew—I mean Cuddles, by for her presurgery checkup then if you want. You live nearby, right?”
    â€œYes, I’m just down the street,” I say. “Is there anyone else there?”
    â€œJust Dr. Gabe. He’s another vet, but he’s all booked up. You’ll see Dr. Mac.”
    I look at the clock. “Okay,” I say. “Thanks, Sunita. I’ll be right over with Cuddles.”
    I hang up and tell Mom my plans.
    â€œJules, I’m glad you’re being a responsible pet owner,” Mom says. “But next time please tell me first before you make any appointments, all right? How much will a checkup cost?”
    â€œMr. Hart gave me a free coupon to get Cuddles spayed,” I say. “And I think the presurgery checkup is part of the free coupon.”
    â€œWell,” Mom says, “I’d like to go with you, but I need to finish this sign and clean up before dinner.”
    â€œI can handle it,” I say. “I can carry Cuddles in her cage and ask any important questions.”
    â€œAll right,” Mom says. “Give me a call if anything comes up.”
    â€œI will,” I say. With any luck, Cuddles can have her checkup, and I can see the kittens and get out of there before Maggie arrives.

Chapter Thirteen
    I convince Sophie to stay home and decorate a cardboard box for Cuddles.
    â€œWhen I get back,” I tell her, “I’ll cut out some windows and doors. I saw some cardboard tubes in the