“Is it Runny Nose Syndrome?” Amelia asked.
“It looks like it,” Duke said. “The vet took a culture, so we’ll know more later. But we’re going to treat it like it’s a respiratory infection. He’s given me some tetracycline.”
Duke had put Winston’s box back on the seat beside Amelia, and she could hear the tortoise wheezing, right through the towel. “What’s tetracycline?”
“An antibiotic.” Duke turned and smiled at Amelia. “He’s going to be okay.”
“Is it a pill? How are you going to make him take it?”
“It’s liquid. I’ll squirt it in his nose with a syringe. The vet gave him his first dose right now, and he doesn’t get any more until Sunday. He only gets it every three days.”
Every three days? How was that going to work? “Can’t you give it to him more often? Just in case.”
“Tortoises have a slow metabolism. They’re not like people. It’s pretty effective, Amelia. He’ll get better.”
“What if he doesn’t?”
“There’s another, stronger drug. The vet’s ordering some in just in case we need it. But it’ll take a while to get.”
“How long?”
“At least a couple of weeks. It’s not something vets normally carry because it’s so expensive.”
Amelia stared out the window. She wished Winston could have the stronger drug right away.
Simon drummed his fingers while the SUV in front of them decided whether to go through the intersection or turn left. The light went red, and Simon sighed.
“How much so far?” he said to Duke.
“Seventy-five bucks for the culture and a hundred bucks for the antibiotic and forty-five bucks for the consultation.”
Simon whistled softly. “That other drug?”
“You don’t want to know.”
When they got home, Amelia took Duke’s book about bearded dragons into the reptile room and settled beside Winston’s pen. After half an hour, sweat was trickling down her neck. She tiptoed when she left the room. Winston wasn’t wheezing anymore, which was a hopeful sign, and she thought he might be asleep.
“Check out this watering can!” Marguerite called over the fence the next morning. “It’s a dandy! It has an extra-long spout, so I can reach my hanging baskets.”
Amelia thought it was totally weird to get so excited about a watering can, but she liked Marguerite. Marguerite popped in almost every day with leafy treats from her garden for Beaker and Mango, and Amelia had taken her down to the apartment to meet all the animals. She hung over the fence now and watched Marguerite water a bed of tall purple flowers. “Your garden is looking amazing.”
“Thank you. And how is Winston doing? Is he eating again?”
“He’s got Runny Nose Syndrome. We took him to the vet yesterday. He’s on antibiotics. It was mega expensive.”
“I almost forgot. Hang on a sec.” Marguerite disappeared inside and came out with a ten-dollar bill. “Half of my savings on the watering can. You can give that to Gabriella and Duke. Every little bit helps.”
“That’s what Mom does! She gives them half of what she saves with the coupons. We’re putting it in a pickle jar.”
“That’s where I got the idea. From your mom.”
Amelia and Gabriella spent the morning hunting for coupons.
“It’s too bad we don’t know someone who has a cat,” Gabriella said. “Or someone who has a baby. There are always so many coupons for cat stuff and baby stuff.”
“I know someone with seven cats,” Amelia said. “And I know someone with triplets. Well, I sort of know them.” She peered over Gabriella’s shoulder.
At the top of the screen there were coupons for Purina Friskies cat food, Temptations cat treats and clumping cat litter. Gabriella scrolled down to the baby section: Huggies diapers, baby wipes and Heinz baby-food pouches.
“Can I print these?” Amelia said.
When she left the apartment, her head was whirring with excitement. She was going to ask Liam and Roshni to go with her. No way did she have the guts to go by herself.