Masks by Laurie Halse Anderson

Author:Laurie Halse Anderson [Anderson, Laurie Halse]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781101575185
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2012-02-16T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

On Wednesday I leave the house early so I can check on Mittens. When I arrive, Dr. Mac is sitting in the waiting room doing paperwork. She looks up at me and smiles softly, but her eyes are worried. “Her fever’s gone back to a hundred and four,” she tells me before I even ask.

“Why aren’t the antibiotics working?” I ask.

“You know how it is, Sunita,” Dr. Mac replies. “You can’t always predict how an animal will react to medication. Peritonitis is a serious infection. I’ve changed her antibiotic to one that’s stronger. We may have to take her back to surgery and put in a drain. A drain is a little rubber tube inserted into the abdomen that allows infected fluid to drain out of the abdomen and sterile fluids, or even antibiotics, to be flushed in. The drain can be removed when the infection is under control.”

“Can I see her?” I ask.

“Sure,” Dr. Mac agrees. Mittens’ cage is by the window. That’s nice of Dr. Mac to give her sunshine and a view. She’s sleeping all curled into a ball.

When I unlatch the cage, Mittens raises her head a little and looks up at me miserably. I wonder if she blames me. Could she possibly think I hurt her on purpose?

She extends one of her paws, and I cover it with my hand. She licks my hand with her small, dry tongue. At least she doesn’t hate me.

Mittens tries to meow but it comes out like a pathetic croak. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper.

Maggie comes into the room. “The new medicine will help,” she says.

“I hope so,” I say.

She comes to my side and pets Mittens. “Gran will do everything she can,” Maggie says.

I blink back tears and nod.

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