I'm taking posession of a very large turtle, of at least 500 pounds. He makes his way out to the back deck at my house. He doesn't have feet, but rather very floppy flippers, with which he scoots himself.

He seems to be housebroken, as he goes out to the yard and apparently does some business. Deborah H, who has brought him, then starts spraying his privates with a hose, kind of muttering about the mess. I'm not sure I understand this procedure, what's expected of me as his caretaker.

I'm not sure what he eats, but I bring him some baby carrots and some bread, to see what he likes.

He goes out to the middle of the yard again and I go to visit him. He has a very friendly face and seems to like me. I'm crouching near him, and he likes it when I scratch him about the neck. Then grandma touches me on the shoulder - she's hobbled out into the yard. I think she's trying to ask me if I'm ready for this responsibility, but as she starts to speak, she loses her balance and almost topples over. I steady her, thinking I'm not sure if I'm ready.