Acting Out by Laurie Halse Anderson

Author:Laurie Halse Anderson [Anderson, Laurie Halse]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781101571866
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2012-08-30T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

The next day, the Vet Volunteers meet at Wrenches & Roses. Mrs. Darrow has left a plate of veggies and dip for us. Once we’re all settled in our beanbags—and Cuddles is hopping all over that lime-green carpet—I try to get everyone’s attention.

“Ahem,” I say, clearing my throat and waving my arms.

No one pays attention. “Uh-hmmm!” I say again, even louder.

Sunita notices and nudges Brenna. The boys keep talking. “Uh-hmmm,” I repeat, and kick David in the shin.

“Hey! Whadja do that for?” he says, rubbing his leg.

Oh, come on. He’s being dramatic. I didn’t kick him hard. It was really more of a strong nudge. At least now everyone is quiet and paying attention to me.

“Okay, guys. I have an announcement.” I speak slowly so they will understand how important this is. I am wearing my most serious outfit: black turtleneck, black jeans, and a teal scarf for a little pop of color. It makes me feel very artistic.

I take a deep breath and say, “We need to discuss antifreeze.”

No one says anything.

“We sell antifreeze,” Josh says. “Do you need some? I can run up and ask my dad for a gallon.” He rises from his chair. Maggie shakes her head, and Josh sits back down.

“No,” Maggie says. “We don’t need any. Antifreeze poisoning is what Puff died from. And we had a very sick dog in the clinic last night, and Gran says he has antifreeze poisoning, too. She still isn’t sure if he’s going to make it.”

Argh, she just blurted it all out! I was building up to the explanation for dramatic effect. I was going to tell them all the details as soon as I knew I had everyone’s attention.

Sunita’s eyes grow wide.

“So you think there could be someone intentionally poisoning animals? Or maybe there’s an antifreeze leak somewhere?” she asks.

“Well, we don’t know for sure, of course. But with two cases of antifreeze poisoning, we should start looking into both,” I reply.

“We’ve had a report of dead raccoons, a whole family of them,” Brenna says. Her family runs a wildlife rehabilitation center. “I wonder if it could be related. I’d better call my folks.” Brenna gets up and dials her cell. I watch her move to the Ping-Pong table end of the basement to talk quietly.

“So the way I see it, we have a two-part project ahead of us.” I look at the Vet Volunteers one by one to be sure that everyone is ready to hear this. Good. We’re all focused today. I motion to Maggie to hold up my construction paper posters.

Brenna is off the phone and settled again in her chair. I point to the first poster.

“This is antifreeze—”

“Or ethylene glycol,” Maggie interrupts.

“Or ethylene glycol,” I continue. “Sometimes it’s called engine coolant, too. Anyway, we’ll just refer to it as antifreeze. This is what it looks like.”

The Vet Volunteers lean forward in their chairs to see the picture I’ve printed from the Internet.

My six facts are printed on the posters, but I know that it will have more impact if I also recite them to the group.

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