Free End of the Race by Laurie Halse Anderson

like a true MacKenzie today. Your mom and dad would have been proud, too.”
    If Gran only knew my true thoughts. “I don’t think I deserve any compliments, Gran.”
    “Yes, you do. You were able to put your bad feelings about Darla on hold to care for her dog,” she says. “And you worked as a true team with Taryn.” Gran unbuttons her lab coat and removes her glasses, letting them hang on her beaded chain. She sighs, and her shoulders relax. “On another matter, I’ve made a few phone calls and checked whether it’s OK to take kids to Speedway. I was told that families do go to watch the dogs race. Maybe I was being overprotective.” She smiles. “So, I’ve decided to take you with me to Connecticut.”
    “You mean that?” Suddenly, I’m full of energy.
    “On one condition.”
    Uh-oh.
    “Taryn’s mom has to visit her ailing mother in Washington, D.C., this weekend and she’d rather not take her daughter along. Mrs. Barbosa asked if Taryn could volunteer all day Saturday while she’s gone, but I told her I’d be in Connecticut,” Gran continues. “So I discussed the possibility of taking
both
of you girls with me—to my lecture and maybe afterward to the track.”
    “Really?” I shift impatiently in my chair.
    “Taryn’s mom thinks it’s a wonderful idea.” She glances at me for my reaction.
    “She does?” I’m almost bouncing up and down like a little kid.
    “She says Taryn’s been talking nonstop about the greyhounds, your greyhound research, and your idea to open an adoption booth.” Gran pauses dramatically. “Therefore, the offer stands if you’re prepared to chaperone Taryn, since I’ll be quite busy at the conference.”
    “Yes!” I jump up and give Gran an extra-tight bear hug. “YES!”

Chapter Eleven

    T hat speech was awesome, Dr. MacKenzie! You must be famous for inventing those veterinary tools. Comments, please?” Taryn’s project for social studies is to interview people of different ages and lifestyles. She holds up the mike to her mini tape recorder, reporter-style, as Gran exits the stage after her “New Tools” keynote speech.
    “Well, uh…” Gran is used to being admired and quoted, but not idolized by a fifth-grade groupie! She seems flustered, which has me giggling. “It’s true that I developed a few devices, but my colleagues deserve credit, too.” Gran introduces us to several veterinarians making theirway down the aisle and describes their contributions to the field, which Taryn records. Gran also brags to her colleagues about us volunteering at the clinic.
    When Gran goes to chat with another presenter, Taryn aims the mike at me. “Maggie MacKenzie, your thoughts on the lecture?”
    My thoughts? Well, now that you ask…“I’ve heard Gran’s speeches before, but this one was definitely the best. Her diagrams made the devices understandable, and the discussion was interesting.” Studying hard in school might even be worth it, if that’s what it takes to be a vet.
    Taryn hands me the mike so I can interview her. “So, Taryn, what’s the best thing about volunteering at Dr. Mac’s Place?”
    Taryn’s eyes light up. “Helping sick animals, like Hoops. It was hard putting that activated charcoal down his throat, but he felt so much better afterward that it made me feel good, too.”
    “What were your favorite aspects of the presentation this morning?” I ask.
    “It was cool to hear about the inventions, like Dr. Mac’s tiny rodent toothbrush that you can set at different angles.”
    Gran returns. “Sorry I took so long.” She directs us out of the convention center. “Ready for a bite to eat?”
    “Sure,” I agree, even though I’d rather skip the food and go right to Speedway. There’s no doubt that Gran can read minds, because she says, “Let’s just grab pizza to go, so we don’t miss the afternoon races.”
    “So, we’re going to watch a race or two and then talk to Manny, right, Gran?”
    “You got it,” Gran says.