Page 17 of Count Your Lucky Stars

Margot (5:17 p.m.):Sorry, I meant to just text Cam.

Margot (5:17 p.m.):And I don’t HATE cats, I have a healthy respect for them.

Andrew (5:18 p.m.):“respect”

Margot (5:19 p.m.):????

Cameron (5:20 p.m.):What kind of cat are we talking about?

Margot frowned.

Margot (5:21 p.m.):The kind with black fur, a smushy face, and squat little legs? You’re the expert.

Cameron (5:22 p.m.):‍???

Cameron (5:22 p.m.):Sounds like a Scottish fold.

Cameron (5:23 p.m.):Male or female? Spayed/neutered? Age? Indoor or outdoor? Is it a stray? Feral?

Margot’s head spun. Another message appeared before she could type out a response.

Andrew (5:24 p.m.):you still never answered why you’re asking

Margot (5:25 p.m.):I’m sorry, did you ask a question? I didn’t see a question mark

She answered Cameron’s questions one by one.

Margot (5:26 p.m.):Female, idk, idk, indoor now, not anymore, and I sincerely hope not.

Cameron (5:27 p.m.):??????

Cameron (5:28 p.m.):I’m with Andrew on this. Why the sudden interest in cats?

Margot (5:30 p.m.):I’m thinking about getting one?

Andrew (5:31 p.m.):was that a question????

Jesus.Brothers.

Margot (5:32 p.m.):My roommate has a cat.

“No, no,no.” Margot cringed, wishing there was anunsendbutton she could press. It was too late. The knowledge was out there for her entire immediate family to see.

Andrew (5:33 p.m.):roommate

Andrew (5:33 p.m.):?!

Mom (5:33 p.m.):I didn’t know you had a new roommate, honey.

Margot palmed her face.

Margot (5:34 p.m.):Can we please focus on the cat?

Cameron (5:35 p.m.):What’s their name?

Margot didn’t see whythatmattered, but okay.

Margot (5:36 p.m.):Cat.