2 HOME AGAIN

Chapter two, home again. When we got home from the cat shelter, Mom hung up her purse to the sound of galloping kitty paws. Sassafras skidded to a stop at my feet. "Mrow!" "Hi, buddy!" I picked him up and tucked his head under my chin. Sassafras wiggled out from my neck and sniffed me all over. "Mrow?" "That's just Sage and Lavender you're smelling. They're the kittens at the shelter." Sassafras jumped down and turned away from me.

I knelt down and ruffled his fur. "Oh, Sass, you're still my favorite. Besides, the kittens have a loving home all set up. They just need another week to get bigger and stronger at the shelter before they go." Sassafras glanced back at me and then licked his toes. Mom laughed. "I think someone's feeling a little jealous." I tapped a finger to my lip. "I know just the thing to make it up to him!" I strolled into the kitchen and opened a can of

tuna. Sassafras came running so quickly he slid into my legs. "Here you go, buddy. Sorry I smell like kittens!" I said as I set down the can of tuna on the ground. I expected to see Sassafras's happy face staring back at me… but there was no Sassafras. "Sassafras?" I looked around the kitchen and under the table. Then I spun around just in time to see the cat door flapping. Wow, he must really be upset with me to turn down a fresh can of tuna! But then it all made sense. Because I heard what Sassafras must've heard over the sound of the can opener—the magic doorbell!