Chapter Twelve

 

Angel’s mother stood next to Philip on Tuesday when he told Angel she’d become the happy owner of Ling Ling, Frisky, and Angel. Angel looked at her mother, who nodded and started to cry. Philip said he had to go and get a drink of water.

Ten days later when Angel returned home, Ling Ling, Frisky and little Angel were no longer living in the shed, but happily camped in Angel’s living room. Philip and Emery were there, too, to welcome Angel.

Angel went to the sofa where Frisky lay sprawled and put him in her lap.

“See all this stuff,” said Philip. “My dad and I went shopping and we got that cat stand. It’s called the Cat-Condo.” Philip pointed to a rug-covered contraption almost as tall as Angel’s mother. It had poles the cats could scratch and boxes and platforms the cats could climb onto to rest. Ling Ling lolled on the highest platform, sleeping. “And we got those three beds.” Three soft, oval beds, one red, one blue, one yellow, were lined up next to the Cat-Condo. Angel curled up in the yellow one.

“Put Frisky down and follow me,” Philip ordered. He led Angel to the kitchen, Emery tagging along, too. “See, three little food bowls, one big bowl for dry food and one big water bowl.” The small bowls each bore a cat’s name.

“I don’t know why you put on their names,” said Emery. “They can’t read, you know. They just go and eat.”

Angel and Philip ignored Emery.

“We already took them to the vet,” Philip continued. “They got examined. They got shots. We bought some food. They’re all ready for you.”

“Come back and sit down, honey,” said Angel’s mother.

Angel looked at Philip and rolled her eyes. “I’m okay, Mom.” They returned to the living room.

“I know. I know,” Angel’s mother said. “But the doctor said to take it easy until school starts.”

“You’re going to school this year!” Philip said.

“I am. What a big thrill.” She laughed.

“What grade are you going to be in?” Emery asked.

“Fifth.”

“Same grade as Emery and me,” said Philip. “Maybe you’ll be in our class. Emery and I have been in the same class since first grade. We’re in the same class again next year. Ms. Jamine’s. She’s okay.”

Angel’s mom got a serious look on her face and said, “Maybe I’ll ask the principal to put her into your class since you boys are the only children she’ll know in the school.”

“Great,” said Philip.

Philip and Emery stayed until Angel’s mother said it was time for them to leave. Angel invited them back anytime they wanted to see the cats, and Philip said he and Emery would visit often.

Walking down the street toward Philip’s house, Emery said, “Why did you say we’d visit so much? I don’t want to go visit her all the time.”

“Make believe you’re visiting the cats.”

“I have a dog. I don’t need to visit any cats. And now she’s going to be in our class at school. We already have more girls than boys.”

“Don’t worry. School’s way off. And we can play at her house sometimes instead of your house or mine.”

“Play at a girl’s house?” Emery moaned. “What? Like play house and dolls and stuff?”

“Emery, she’s okay.”

“Yeah, but she’s a girl.”

Philip laughed. For the first time since he’d seen Emery walking his new dog, he felt happy. He didn’t have a dog of his own, but he didn’t care. He didn’t have any cats, but he didn’t care. He probably would never have a pet in his life, but he didn’t care. He didn’t know why, but he felt happy.

“I know she’s a girl, Emery, but she’s not a regular girl. She’s an Angel.”

Emery looked at Philip as if Philip had flipped his lid.

“Come on,” said Philip, breaking into a run. “Let’s get our bikes and go to the park.”

Emery ran, too, but he couldn’t keep up with Philip. Not on a day like this.

 

The End

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John Paulits is a former teacher in New York City. He has published five other children’s novels, four about Philip and Emery, as well as two adult science fiction novels, HOBSON’S PLANET and BECKONING ETERNITY. His previous Gyspy Shadow book, PHILIP AND THE SUPERSTITION KID, was voted best children’s novel of 2010 in the Preditors and Editors readers poll.

 

Learn more about John here:

 

Website: http://www.johnpaulits.com/

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