7. Liver

Chapter 7 Liver "Have you tried liver?" asked Dr. Charles. "Yes, my mom made it once. But I didn't like it," said Marvin. "I mean, for Waldo," said the doctor. "Oh." It was Monday afternoon. Waldo still hadn't eaten, so Marvin called the vet on the telephone. Mrs. North had left the number. Dr. Charles said that Waldo probably just missed Mrs. North. He told Marvin what to do. Go to the store and buy a quarter pound of liver. Boil it in water for ten minutes. Then cut it up in little pieces. "And serve it to him on a real plate," Dr. Charles added. "Instead of his doggie bowl."

That made Marvin smile. "Okay," he said. "Thank you." "Waldo's a funny dog," said Dr. Charles. "He's not sick. Just love-sick. Let me know what happens." Marvin hung up the phone, feeling a little bit better. He sat on the floor next to Waldo and petted him. "We'll both be glad when Mrs. North gets back," he said. He'd had a rough day at school. "Miss Hillway treats me like I'm a criminal!" he told the love-sick dog. Waldo pushed his head under Marvin's hand. Marvin petted him. "Nick and Stuart hate me," he said. "They say I think I'm better than everyone. I don't think I'm better than everyone. I just have a job to do." Waldo licked Marvin across the face with his big tongue. Marvin petted him some more, then stood up. He checked to make sure the key was in his pocket. "I'll be back after dinner," he promised. "With liver!" He tried his best to sound enthusiastic. His mother said she'd take him to the store after dinner to buy the liver. And then drive him to Mrs. North's house.

"Can I come?" asked Jacob. "I've never seen the inside of a real teacher's house." "Sure," said Marvin, glad to impress his older brother. "Me too," said Linzy. "I want to meet Waldo." Marvin's father went along too. "I don't want to be a party pooper," he said. Marvin smiled. After all his troubles, it felt good to have his family with him. He paid for the liver out of his own money. A quarter pound only cost 37¢. Less than a candy bar. Inside Mrs. North's house, Marvin found a pot and filled it with water. He turned on the stove. His mother offered to cook the liver for him, but Marvin said, "No, it's part of my job." He dropped the slimy meat into the boiling water. Jacob was walking around the house. "Cool," he said as he went from one room to another. Linzy hugged and petted and rolled around on the floor with Waldo. "I wuv you, Waldo," she said. The liver was stinking up the kitchen. Marvin let it boil for ten minutes, like Dr. Charles said.

Then he plucked it out of the water with a fork and cut it up into bite-size pieces. He really didn't think it would work. He had tasted liver. And he had tasted dog food. He liked dog food better. He put the liver on a regular plate and set it on the floor. His family gathered around to watch. "Look, Waldo, liver!" said Marvin.

Waldo didn't move. "Please, Waldo," begged Linzy. She pushed the plate to him.

Waldo sniffed at it. Then he stood up, stuck his head over the plate, and ate a piece of liver. Marvin and his family cheered. Waldo ate another piece, then another. He didn't stop until the plate was empty. Then he waddled over to his dog food bowl and ate all his dog food too. "All he needed was an appetizer," said Marvin's mother. Marvin was so happy he almost cried. He washed and dried the pot, knife, fork, and plate. Linzy had to use the potty. Of course! thought Marvin. She couldn't go anywhere without needing to go to the bathroom. He smiled. He knew the kids in his class would be glad.