Page 8 - Anywhere but Paradise

Howdy closes his mouth, but his ears stay in their
I-don’t-trust-you position.

“Howdy will be all right, Peggy Sue,” says Daddy.
He stretches out his long legs and settles on the bench
with his paperwork. “He’s a Bennett. And you brought
him his favorite food.” Daddy hands me the aluminum
foil with a few pieces of leftover chicken I saved from

dinner last night.
I lie on my side and place a piece of meat halfway
between my cat and me. Howdy sniffs the air, but

doesn’t budge.
I brought extra chicken for Tinkerbell, too, but all I
see is an empty cage next door. Maybe it’s her checkup
time.
I wiggle closer to Howdy and reach for him again.

Whop. Howdy’s paw hits my fingers. “Ouch,” I cry,
and rub my hand.
“No fighting, you two,” says Daddy.

“Not funny,” I say.
“Just give him a little more breathing room.”
So I do. I scoot back, but my eyes never leave
him. “Everything is going to be okay, Howdy. I
promise.”

• q •

52