Page 21

CHAPTER 21

They leave us so to the way we took,

As two in whom they were proved mistaken,

That we sit sometimes in the wayside nook,

With mischievous, vagrant, seraphic look,

And try if we cannot feel forsaken.

—Robert Frost, “In Neglect”

SAWDUST

Whitney’s back! The cat stood from his perch atop his cat tree in the front window as the woman he adored climbed out of the same car that had taken her away from him that morning. Galileo and Copernicus, who were curled up side by side on the couch, lifted their heads on hearing the car door slam.

A man climbed out of the other side and followed Whitney into the house. After accepting a scratch behind the ears from Whitney, Sawdust indulged his curiosity and followed behind the man, sniffing his pants leg. Who are you? Why are you here? I don’t smell cats on you. Why don’t you have a cat? Everyone should have a cat.

The man threw his head back and opened his mouth. He emitted an explosive sound that sent all three cats skittering under the sofa. AHCHOO! Sawdust cowered next to the other cats for a moment. He’d just summoned enough courage to peek out when the man exploded in another sneeze, this one a double. AHCHOO! AHCHOO!

Sawdust shrunk back beside his brothers, crouching low to keep an eye on things as best he could.

The man said something that Sawdust didn’t understand. Whitney grabbed a stack of files from the kitchen table and carried them back across the living room.

Sawdust’s furry little heart clenched as Whitney headed with the man out the front door. She’s leaving again! Phooey!