Pumpkin

I did not hide under the bed with Boo-Boo. I hid in my room until Nannie called me for lunch.

We were having our Saturday special. That is when we take the week’s leftovers out of the refrigerator and spread them on the table. It is almost always my favorite meal of the week. But I did not feel much like eating. I could not get Boo-Boo to come near me. And I did not want to be around the new kitten.

In the kitchen everyone was busy filling their plates. But things seemed awfully quiet.

“Where is the kitten?” I asked.

“As soon as we brought out the tuna salad, she jumped up on the table,” said David Michael.

“So we put her into her box for a nap,” said Kristy. “She is just like a little baby in her crib.”

“Where were you just before?” asked Charlie. “You missed the action. Before the kitten jumped onto the table, she did a somersault off the couch.”

“Kitty fall down,” said Emily.

“I think this kitten belongs in the circus!” said Sam.

Everyone was having so much fun. I felt left out.

After lunch, Daddy called for a family meeting to name the kitten. We sat together in the den to make suggestions and take a vote.

“Maybe we should call her Barnum, or Bailey, since she is such a good acrobat,” said Sam.

“Kitty,” said Emily.

“How about Midnight?” said David Michael. “Because she is so black.”

“These are all good names,” said Daddy. “Karen? Do you have any ideas?”

I usually have an idea a minute. But all I could think of just then was poor Boo-Boo, alone under the bed.

“Maybe we should call her Boo-Boo Too, in honor of Boo-Boo,” I said.

“Is that t-o-o, which means also? Or t-w-o, which is the number?” asked Charlie.

“I was thinking of t-o-o because it is spelled like Boo-Boo,” I said.

“We have so many good names to choose from now. Should we take our vote?” asked Nannie.

Everyone agreed it was time. But no one could agree on a name.

“I think Daddy should choose the name. Whoever agrees with that, say ‘Aye,’ ” I said.

The ayes won.

“Thank you for this honor,” said Daddy. “Now, let me think.”

He thought for a minute, then smiled.

“Karen, I heard you say the name Pumpkin when we went to Mrs. Cooper’s house last week. I know our kitten is black, not orange. But she is joining our family just in time for Halloween. And I cannot get the name out of my head. So Pumpkin is my choice.”

“Welcome to the family, Pumpkin!” said Charlie.

He lifted her out of her box. I was so happy!

Later, when Daddy was alone in the den, I said, “Thank you for picking the name Pumpkin. I like it even better than Boo-Boo Too.”

“I thought so. But I appreciate your thinking of Boo-Boo,” said Daddy. “I know he is not your favorite pet, and that is all right. You are being respectful of him, and that is what counts.”

I felt as though a big fat cat had been lifted from my shoulders. Daddy was not mad at me. I had been nice to Boo-Boo. And the name Daddy picked was Pumpkin. I felt like part of the family again.