12/ Without deciding I JUMPED UP HIGH
LANDED HARD on narrow slippery sofa back
GRIPPED IN with all my sharp curved claws
ARCHED my back
gaped my mouth W I D E
and HISSSSSSED
as new voice cried out,
"Are you crazy? Turn that off NOW!"
At once tall monster thing stopped growling
backed away — scared
it was scared
scared away!
Now we were safe, tall monster gone!
but I kept guard for us
high on the sofa back
just in case.
New voice looked up at me
"You are SO BRAVE!
Nothing spooks you, does it?
Know what?
I'm not gonna call you runt.
I'm gonna call you . . . Spooky."
New voice put her hand gently
in front of my nose
After a moment, I sniffed all her fingers.
They smelled like windows.
