Julie Herckenrath

As they approached Caity’s house the girl suddenly stopped in her tracks, took Kitty out of her pocket and looked her straight in the eye. “Now listen to me. My mom doesn’t care much for cats; never has. But I have always wanted a kitty of my very own. If she knows I’m feeding you, I’ll be in trouble. I’ve got to keep you hidden until I can figure out what to do. Understand?” Kitty purred and licked Caity’s face with her little pink tongue. She understood very well.

Caity placed Kitty in the old tool shed in the backyard while she went to look for food. Minutes later she returned with half a can of tuna fish in a bowl. Kitty was so hungry that she gobbled up every bite. She had never tasted anything so delicious! Caity pulled a sandwich from a little plastic bag and ate her lunch too. Then she brushed Kitty’s coat with her little doll’s comb until it shined. Caity had become the mother that Kitty longed for and Kitty was the pet that Caity had always dreamed about.

For months the little girl kept Kitty a secret. No one else even knew that Kitty existed. At night Kitty slept in the tool shed and during the day she stayed out of sight by hiding in trees, behind bushes or under the old family tractor. But wherever she was, Caity always knew where to find her.