by Les Cohen
The Adventures Of
Young Elizabeth
&
Rollo, The Wondercat*
*Who thought he was a dog?
Volume 1: Imagine That
By Les Cohen
Copyright 2012 by Les Cohen, Ellicott City, Maryland.
All rights reserved.
The sketch of the cat on the cover was drawn by my favorite artist:
Copyright 2012 by A.C. Friss, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
All rights reserved.
* * *
Couple of Things…
This is a tale of adventure like no other, for young readers, both girls and boys, age 10 and older. Parents are encouraged to read it too.
Be sure to read the preface. It’s short, but important.
Oh, and by the way, except for a few details, this is a true story. Hard to believe, but nonetheless true.
* * *
Dedication
This is Scooter. Sad to say, he’s no longer with us. He was one great cat, a different species, but nonetheless a member of our family in every respect. Smart, strong, fast, courageous, funny and loving. We miss him.
I can’t be certain, but I’ve always suspected he was Rollo’s father.
* * *
Table Of Contents
Preface
Episode 1: Better Safe Than Sorry
Episode 2: Personally, I Would Have Preferred Using The Bridge After They Finished Building It
Episode 3: One Good Deed And We're Off To The Country
Episode 4: Close Encounters Of The Furred Kind
Episode 5: And I Was So Looking Forward To That Smoothie
Episode 6: That Sinking Feeling
Episode 7: Next Cruise I Take, I'm Paying For A Better Cabin With A Larger Porthole
Episode 8: Going Down
Episode 9: Where's Rollo?
Episode 10: Not Quite As Dead As We Thought
Episode 11: As A Rule, It's Always Better To Roll Down The Window First, Before Jumping
Episode 12: After School Rain
Episode 13: Back To The Future
Epilogue: Now And Then
* * *
Preface
Hi. I’m Elizabeth, but then you probably guessed that. “Young Elizabeth” was me four years ago. I was fifteen then, in the summer before my sophomore year in high school. It was a time just before everyone had computers and cell phones, when friendships were few, but meant something more, and life wasn’t so complicated or scary. I’m a freshman in college now, an aspiring writer. And the furball lying flat on his back on my bed? That’s Rollo, my cat and long-time friend, a little older and a tad heavier now, but still plenty sharp and always there for me when I need him. Rollo and I, we’ve been through a lot together, but I’ve got a feeling our greatest adventures are still ahead of us.
“Mearrk!”
“Yeah, yeah,” I wave at him without turning to look up from my laptop. “Hold on while I finish what I’m typing.” He’s so impatient. No matter how many times I tell this story, he still gets a kick out of it. “I know,” I say out loud, rolling back in my chair and reaching out to wiggle my fingers on his stomach. “I’m excited too.”
* * *
“Together they were unexpectedly formidable. A strange sight at the very least. This huge housecat, eyes glowing in the reflection of the streetlight not fifty feet ahead, there on the shoulder of the young girl who kept walking. Her friend, Eleanor, at her side.”
* * *