Chapter Twelve

When we get home, we find Mom painting roses on a WELCOME TO WRENCHES & ROSES sign at the kitchen table. Mom’s brown hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and she’s got pink and green paint smudged on one cheek.

“Cool sign,” I say. I give her a kiss on her clean cheek.

I’m thinking I’ll have to bribe Josh somehow to convince him to go with me to Dr. Mac’s. Now would be a perfect time, because Mom looks happily busy.

“Where’s Josh?” I ask.

“David called, and Josh went to visit him down the street,” she says. “It’s nice to see him making friends right away.”

“I don’t know how he does it,” I say.

Mom sets down her brush and gives me a hug.

I melt in her arms. I want to tell her how tough this has all been, but she’s got enough worries with the store. So I just say, “Thanks, Mom. I needed that hug.”

“Me too, sweetie, me too,” she says. Then she pulls away and dabs at my chin with a napkin. “Oopsie, I didn’t mean to get paint on you.”

“Do you know when Josh will be back?” I ask.

“I told him to be home by six thirty—in time for dinner.”

Six thirty! Too late. Dr. Mac’s clinic closes at six o’clock. And when we were there yesterday at five forty-five, Dr. Mac said Maggie would be home any minute. I’d love to peek in on the tiny kittens if they’re still there, but if I want to avoid Maggie, maybe I could just call to make the appointment? Then Josh could take Cuddles in to be spayed, and I can avoid Maggie and the clinic altogether.

Back in my room, I carefully take Cuddles out of her cage and let her hop around with Sophie 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.

“Don’t let her chew on anything, or tell me if she starts,” I say.

“Okay,” 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.

“Dr. Mac’s Veterinary Clinic,” a friendly voice says on the other end of the line. “This is Sunita speaking. How may I help you?”

“Sunita?” 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.”

“Of course I remember you, Jules!” Sunita says. “Is Chewie okay?”

“Oh 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.”

“Okay,” 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.”

“Okay,” I say. “But we changed Chewie’s name to Cuddles, so could you please set up her file as Cuddles?”

“Cuddles, what a cute name!” Sunita says. Then she takes down all my info and my parents’ info, too.

“Okay,” 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.”

“Really?”

“Yes, 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?”

“Yes, I’m just down the street,” I say. “Is there anyone else there?”

“Just 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.

“Jules, 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?”

“Mr. Hart gave me a free coupon to get Cuddles spayed,” I say. “And I think the presurgery checkup is part of the free coupon.”

“Well,” Mom says, “I’d like to go with you, but I need to finish this sign and clean up before dinner.”

“I can handle it,” I say. “I can carry Cuddles in her cage and ask any important questions.”

“All right,” Mom says. “Give me a call if anything comes up.”

“I 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.