Chapter 2

Hairless with Huge Ears

I was so excited to meet Queen Lizzie, I couldn’t stop talking.

“A real Sphynx cat! Wow. I know she’s a Sphynx cat because I’ve read so much about them,” I said. “I know lots of people think Sphynx look weird because they’re hairless and have those huge ears and extra-large paws. Well, I don’t think Sphynx are weird. Personally, I think they are terribly interesting. I’ve never seen one in real life!”

I kneeled and peered into the cat carrier.

“Hi, Lizzie! I’m Tabby. I love your yellow eyes,” I exclaimed. “They look like lemons!”

Just then, Grandma Kit appeared at my side, drying her hands. She said hello to Ben and shook his hand.

“I’m Ben, the owner of the new pizza shop in town,” he said. “This is Lizzie, the restaurant’s namesake. I’ve come to you for help.”

Grandma Kit didn’t even have a chance to reply. I’d barely taken a breath but carried right on, chattering about Lizzie.

“I love her high cheekbones,” I said. “And her pink skin is so cool. Look at those gray spots. It’s like she’s got polka-dots! I read in one of my cat books that the color of a Sphynx’s skin is the color its hair would be.”

“That’s true,” Ben said. His voice matched his unhappy-looking face.

Strange, I thought. How can anyone be sad when they own such a special cat?

“I also read that Sphynx are great climbers and jumpers,” I went on.

“That’s part of the problem,” Ben said.

“Why don’t you come into the kitchen,” Grandma Kit said. “I’ll make tea, then you can tell us what’s going on with Lizzie.”

Ben agreed and followed us inside. He sat at the kitchen table. I sat on the floor beside Lizzie’s carrier.

I wanted to reach inside and touch her hairless, wrinkled skin. But I didn’t. Instead, I talked to her in a soft, quiet voice. It’s always important that first meetings with cats go slowly and peacefully.

Grandma Kit made tea, while Ben told us the problem.

“As you know, today is the restaurant’s grand opening,” he said. “I should be there right now. The place is packed with pizza lovers. Business is booming already. But Lizzie kept jumping on the counter. And we can’t have her that close to the food. There are special health codes we need to follow.”

“Oh dear,” Grandma Kit said. She poured tea into a cup for Ben.

He took a sip and continued. “I’d really hoped Lizzie would stay in the front window for people to see. She’s such a friendly cat. I was certain she’d let people pet her, even strangers. She has before, at my apartment, anyhow. It would’ve been good for business.”

Grandma Kit nodded and took a sip of tea. “Go on,” she said.

“Even the town leaders said Lizzie could stay in the restaurant,” he said. “Because she’s hairless, she’s cleaner. I put her bed and toys in the front window. But during the very first lunch rush, she kept jumping onto the counter. I’d say ‘no’ and put her back in the window. She’d jump right back onto the counter again. Boxes of pizza sit right there.”

“Is she hungry for pizza?” I asked.

“No,” Ben said. “I’ve offered bits of crust to her before. She doesn’t like it. I even sprayed her with water, to scare her off the counter. That didn’t work.”

“Well, cats do like to climb to high places and lie on top of things,” I said.

“I know,” Ben said. “But she can’t be on the restaurant counter. That’s too near the food.” He looked at Grandma Kit. “It’s short notice, but could Lizzie check in here at Tabby Towers? I’ll be working very long hours all week.”

“Why, yes,” Grandma Kit said with a smile. “It would be our pleasure. We have space in the hotel. But it’s too bad the restaurant’s namesake can’t be there during your big opening week.”

Ben nodded. “Thank you very much. The staff and I will really miss her,” he said.

I felt bad for Ben — but secretly glad for me. I couldn’t believe a Sphynx would be staying at Tabby Towers! Wow! I really was the luckiest girl alive!

“Can I take her out of her carrier?” I asked Ben. “Would she let me hold her?”

“Sure,” he said. “Go ahead. Lizzie loves to be held.”

I carefully opened the carrier door. “Here, girl,” I said quietly. “Come here, Lizzie.”

Lizzie crawled right into my arms. I sat and cradled her, rubbing her soft skin gently with my hand. Her skin was covered with very fine down, like the skin of a peach.

Suddenly the kitchen door flew open. Bang!

“Hey, did you order pizza?” a girl called, bursting into the room. It was Alfreeda Wolfe, the dog-loving girl from next door.

The second the door banged, Lizzie leaped out of my arms. She sprang up — a shockingly high leap — and landed right on top of the refrigerator, bumping into a cat-shaped treat jar. The glass jar flew off the refrigerator and fell to the floor.

“Oh no!” cried Ben.