I understood what he was saying. But I needed some time to get used to it.
Honk! Honk! Mommy and Seth had arrived. I ran upstairs to get Pokey.
“It is time to go, Pokey,” I said. “I am taking you to Nancy’s house. You and Nancy are going to get along just fine.”
I talked to Pokey the whole way there. I told him that Growly had run off, but that it was okay. And I told him lots of good things about Nancy.
By the time we pulled into the Daweses’ driveway, Pokey was ready. So was I. For the last time, I carried a kitten in a box up to the door of his new home.
Part-time Kittens
Nancy’s mother was waiting at the door by the time I reached it.
“Hi, Karen. Come on in,” she said. Then she turned and called Nancy.
You should have seen Nancy’s face when I handed her Pokey’s box. I said, “Meet your new kitten! He is a present from your parents.”
“Oh, Karen, I can’t believe it! Mommy, Daddy, thank you! This is the best surprise of my whole life!” cried Nancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Dawes had smiles a mile wide. I bet I did, too. I love surprises!
Nancy was holding Pokey up to her cheek. “You are the very one I wanted,” she told him.
“I have some things here for Pokey,” said Mr. Dawes. “I picked them up yesterday while you and Mommy were at the library.”
He brought out a big shopping bag with a red ribbon tied to the handles. It was filled with everything Pokey would need.
“Let’s take Pokey up to my room, Karen,” said Nancy. “Oh, I am so excited. Thank you for bringing him. And I love the name Pokey. I would not change it for anything.”
I was glad. I liked the name too, even if he was not so pokey anymore.
We closed the door and let Pokey explore. Then we emptied the shopping bag. Pokey walked right inside.
“I read in a book that cats like to explore places like empty bags and holes in the ground. They were born to be hunters. They think they are going to find a mouse or something inside,” I said.
“Wow, that is neat,” said Nancy. “Hey, Pokey. Here is a mouse for you to catch.” She tossed a fuzzy mouse toy into the bag. Pokey started batting it around. The bag was rocking from side to side. Pokey was going wild in there!
“Now remember, you have to be sure he always has fresh water to drink. And you will have to keep the litter box clean, or it gets stinky. And you should take him to the vet pretty soon. We can have a practice visit, so he will not be scared. And …”
“You know what, Karen? I think Pokey should be half yours,” said Nancy.
“Really?” I said. Now I was surprised.
“Yes, I do. Because we are best friends. And because if it weren’t for you, I would not have Pokey at all,” said Nancy.
“Thanks!” I replied. I knew sharing would be fine. Nancy and I share lots of important things. Even my best baby doll, Hyacynthia.
Well, I thought, things have not turned out too badly after all. I do not have a kitten of my very own. But I have two part-time kittens, Bob at the big house, and Pokey at the little house. That is just right for a Two-Two, like me. And I know where Rosie, Ruby, and Tippy are. I can call and visit them whenever I feel like it.
One bad thing is that Growly is missing. But maybe she will turn up again one day. Maybe she will have another litter of kittens in the toolshed. Growly and I are friends. She can count on me to help her any time.
About the Author
ANN M. MARTIN is the acclaimed and bestselling author of a number of novels and series, including Belle Teal, A Corner of the Universe (a Newbery Honor book), A Dog’s Life, Here Today, P.S. Longer Letter Later (written with Paula Danziger), the Family Tree series, the Doll People series (written with Laura Godwin), the Main Street series, and the generation-defining series The Baby-sitters Club. She lives in New York.
Copyright © 1992 by Ann M. Martin
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
First edition, 1992
e-ISBN 978-1-338-05627-3
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