Karen and Boo-Boo

At dinnertime on Friday, Mrs. Cooper called and spoke to Elizabeth.

“Your kitten has had all her shots and tests. She is frisky, healthy, and ready for her new home,” Mrs. Cooper said.

I should have been happy. And I was, mostly. But I was worried too. I was worried that the kitten would not be as nice as everyone thought she was. And if she was nice and I liked her, I worried that I would hurt Daddy’s feelings. Or Boo-Boo’s. I worried that Boo-Boo might think the kitten was taking his place and we did not love him anymore.

I had enough worries to last all night and right into Saturday morning, when we drove to Mrs. Cooper’s house.

Mrs. Cooper put our kitten into a travel box with a towel and a toy, and we brought her home.

“Here, kitty, kitty!” said Emily. “Meow!”

“It is so exciting to have a new kitten!” said Kristy.

Kristy had been worried that I would not share the new kitten with the family. But I hardly went near her. I stood back and watched. Boo-Boo was watching too.

“It is just you and me, Boo-Boo,” I said.

There was one big difference. Boo-Boo did more than just watch. He hissed at the kitten. The kitten ignored him. I felt sorry for Boo-Boo. I could see he was not happy.

“Do not worry, Boo-Boo,” I said. “Everyone still loves you. And remember, you are the one I wanted to come to the Halloween party with me, not the kitten. Are you honored?”

Hsssss!

Boo-Boo was too busy hissing to be honored. Finally he got tired of hissing and went off to hide.

I stayed and watched the kitten for awhile. I had to admit she was cute. She had a shiny black coat and big green eyes. And she was very busy doing things.

First she batted a ball with a bell in it. Ding! Ding! Then she stopped playing with the ball and had a drink of water. We had put a little bowl next to Shannon’s and Scout’s big bowls. (Shannon and Scout were outside. We did not want them around when we brought the kitten home because they might scare her.) The kitten drank from one of the big bowls instead of her little one. She looked very funny. We all stayed close so we could scoop her out if she fell in.

Everyone in my family took turns picking the kitten up and cuddling her. Even Daddy took a turn holding her.

“Have you held her yet, Karen?” asked Daddy.

“No. Maybe later I will. Right now I want to find Boo-Boo,” I said.

“That is very thoughtful,” said Daddy. “But I just checked on him and he is all right. He is hiding under my bed.”

Poor Boo-Boo. I felt like hiding with him.