The Lucky Paw

Chapter 19

Mrs. Patterson and Anita had been home for quite some time. Katy had climbed down when she heard them coming, said goodnight, and laid in her bed until she was certain they were asleep before rushing back up to the attic to finish the last entry in the old journal.

Now it was time for Katy to begin her search. Although it was late at night, she began to do some research on her computer. First she looked up the names of the hospitals in her town. She wrote the names down, and their addresses.

She promised herself that she would come back to the task the next day. She'd get Mrs. Patterson to drive her to the hospitals, and she could ask for Chandler at every hospital. With this satisfying thought, she retired to her bed, and a welcome sleep.

The next day was boring compared to the track meet that took place after school. Katy was as nervous as a pig about to be turned into bacon. She had forgotten the necklace again, and she was certain that she was going to have bad luck.

She had to make a decision, though. She could take along her inhaler and use it to do well at the meet. But then she would have to listen to Brianna's (and maybe the other girls') jeers and snide remarks. Or she could leave the inhaler, be spared of the other girl's teasing, and risk having an attack.

Katy thought hard. I can always drop out if I get tired, Katy thought. She decided to leave it in her track bag.

As the runners were being lined up, she caught Brianna shooting looks at her. She's looking for my inhaler, Katy thought. Well, not this time!

Beth and Anna were watching. Upon noticing Katy's pockets were empty, they began to look worried.

The whistle blared, and they were off. Katy didn't even throw a second glance at her bag, not wanting Brianna to know where her inhaler was hidden.

Pretty soon, just as she had expected, Katy began to feel tired. She was about to sit down, but Brianna shot her a smug grin. That was it! Adrenaline flooded through her system, and she continued running.