07-I'M LEEEAAAVIIIIIING!!!

I'M LEEEAAAVIIIIIING!!! I was almost out the door when my favorite nephew, Benjamin, arrived. "Uncle Geronimo!" he squeaked. "Where are you going? Are you leaving?" "Yes, I am, Benjamin," I answered in a DRAMATIC voice. I wanted to make sure my sister and Trap could hear me. I was hoping they'd change their minds and come along. "Yes, Nephew, I'm off on a journey to a faraway land," I announced. "It's a DANGEROUS place. In fact, I may never come back." Benjamin's eyes filled with tears. "Please don't go, Uncle," he sobbed. "Or take me

with you. I can help you. I love you so much!" I stroked his tiny ears. "I'm sorry, Benjamin," I whispered. "I didn't mean to upset you. I'll come back, don't worry." Then I cleared my throat. "I must go now. I am off to help a friend. wouldn't you do the same?" "If you were in trouble, I'd do anything to help!"

Benjamin thought about it for a moment, then nodded, "You're right, Uncle Geronimo," he cried. My eyes filled with tears. Is he an amazing little mouse or what? I hugged him tightly and headed for the taxi. I noticed Thea and Trap watching me. "I am leaving!" I announced SOLEMNLY. They just watched. I opened the taxi's door. "I'm leaving!" WELL, WHAT WERE THEY WAITING FOR? I thought for sure they would insist on coming with me. We practically always went on adventures together. It wouldn't be the same without them. Thea is so courageous, and Trap always knows how to get us out of a jam.

Maybe I'd gone a little overboard with the "I'll do it myself" bit. I kept the door open just in case. But they only stared at me. "Well, I'm off! I mean it. I'm really leaving!" I called. Not a word. The silence was killing me. I'd never felt so alone in my whole life. Well, there was that one time when I got lost on my way back from Cheese Mart. I ended up at Purrfect Park. There wasn't a mouse in sight. Just cats. Lots of CATS. But that's another story Right now, I just wanted someone to say something. Anything, I'd even take a "We'll miss you!" Still, I did not hear one squeak. iohlik. "I'm leaving and I may never come back!" I SHRIEKED "I could end up in the jaws of a mountain lion! Or my tail

could freeze right off! Yep, I'm headed for dangerous territory! Here I go!" NO REACTION. I climbed into the taxi and shut the door. Then I rolled down the window. "I'm leaaaaviiiiiiiiiiiiiing! I squeaked AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS. "This mouse is history!" I tried to look brave and strong. But inside I felt like a

bowl of my great-grandma Tanglefur's gooey cream cheese. I couldn't believe it. Would they really let me go off on my own? How would I manage? What if I snapped a whisker? Or even worse, what if I lost my glasses? I wouldn't be able to see a thing. I pictured myself asking a mountain lion for directions. Then I'd really be history. I started to shake with fear. Who was I kidding? I couldn't go on this trip alone. With a sob, I jumped out of the taxi. "Holey Cheese! I don't want to leave on my own!" I cried. "I need my family! Thea ran TOWARO ME and wrapped me in a furry hug. "Don't worry, big brother," she said. "I'll meet you at the airport in ten minutes!" Trap gave me a friendly slap on the shoulder. Well, OK, it was more like a hard