Winning Skylinn

18

"So where'd you get her?" I asked Jonny later.

The adults were watching The Nativity movie, but I was taking a break to get some cookies. Jonny followed along, as well as my precious kitten.

"Oh, a friend of mine was selling a litter."

"Aw. How much was she?"

"Does it matter?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I guess not. But I still want to know."

"Well, since you're so curious... She was free. Didn't cost me a penny." He winked.

"Seriously?! He just...gave them away?"

"Yeah. He didn't want any more pets. The dude's already got like ten."

"Whoa. Who is it?" I asked curiously.

"Owen."

"Ah." Owen was one of his old friends from middle school. They still talked sometimes, apparently.

"So I did good this year?"

"You did better than good," I said, walking towards him. "You did perfect."

He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it. Finally he said, "I'm glad you like her."

"Well of course I do." To prove my point, I scooped up the little kitten and nuzzled her nose with mine. "She's beautiful."

Jonny muttered something under his breath but I didn't hear it.

"What?"

"Nothing," he replied. "Let's get back go the movie."

I was still curious as to what he had said, but I decided to let it go. We walked back into the living room, cookies in hand, and got situated on the floor. Our parents were taking up the couch.

I let Mistletoe play at my feet while I watched the movie. I couldn't wait to tell Denver about her!

Denver.

My heart sunk. I missed him like crazy, even though we'd talked just yesterday. Somehow I had a feeling he'd be too busy today, making calls to his parents and exchanging gifts with his squad.

Which only made me wonder again about what my present might be. I'd actually made his gift myself. It was a camouflage fleece blanket. Would his be something similar? Or something different entirely?

My mind pondered the different possibilities, and before I knew it, the movie was over.

I picked up Mistletoe and hugged her to my chest as I rose from the floor.

"I think we're gonna get going," Savannah announced. "We've got grandparents to visit."

"Okay. Thanks for coming!" my mom said, hugging her.

"Oh, our pleasure." Savannah hugged my dad next, then me. "Best for last," she whispered in my ear, making me smile.

Mr. Cox gave me a pat on the back, and then Jonny came over. He ran his hand through the kitten's fur, and leaned down to kiss her. Then he wrapped his arms around me and gave me a tight hug.

"Thanks again for Mistletoe. My gift kinda sucks in comparison," I said.

Jonny chuckled. "Your gift is awesome. We've gotta watch it sometime soon. For old time's sake." He winked.

"Definitely. But still. You got me a freakin' cat!"

"A kitten, actually," he corrected.

I rolled my eyes. "Smarty-pants."

"I'll take that as a compliment," he said, smiling smugly. "See ya later, Leonard."

"Yeah, yeah." I waved as the family went out the door.

My parents went to clean up lunch, and I took Mistletoe up to my room. "Wanna help me write a letter to Denver?" I asked her.

She meowed in response.

"Thought so. Oh! By the way, Denver is my boyfriend. But he's away at the army."

Mistletoe looked up at me, her blue eyes round and sad-looking.

"Yeah. I miss him a lot..." I said, sighing.

Was I really talking to a cat?!

Yes, I guess I was.