by Peg Kehret
“I’m glad you didn’t try to keep her,” Alex said.
“So am I,” Mary said.
“Are you going to keep Rufus?” Rocky asked.
“No,” Mrs. Sunburg said. “We do foster care. When Rufus heals, we’ll find a good home for him.”
Rocky turned to his parents. “Could I adopt Rufus?” he asked. “He has only three legs, but he’s a great dog.”
Rocky’s mom and stepdad looked at each other, then spoke at the same time. “Yes,” they said.
Pete looked around the room. Everyone was relaxed and smiling. Even the sheriff and the deputy lounged comfortably on the couch. Pete’s tail swished. It was the perfect time for a cat fit.
He leaped into the air and came down beside the sheriff. He skimmed the top of the deputy’s shoes, dashed out of the room, made a U-turn in the hallway, raced back to the family room, and catapulted toward the media center.
He landed on the empty shelf where the television belonged. “Did you see that?” he hollered. “I’m a catapulting cat!”
“Gracious,” Mrs. Sunburg said.
“He shot up there as if he came out of a catapult,” Sheriff Alvored said.
“Yes!” Pete shouted. “Say that again!”
“We were right the first time,” Deputy Flick said.
“He’s wild,” agreed the sheriff.
Lizzy looked at Pete, leaped off Benjie’s lap, and climbed the drapes.