Cat in the Flower Bed

by Samantha Bell
Illustrations by Samantha Bell

 

“Mandy!  Mandy!  Look what your cat has done now!”

 Mandy ducked behind the hedge.  She peered through the leaves and spotted mean old Mrs. Talbot standing beside her mailbox across the street, glaring in Mandy’s direction.

“Mandy!  Did you hear me?” Mrs. Talbot hollered.

 Mandy held her breath, too nervous to answer.  She could hear Mrs. Talbot just fine.  She was sure everyone else in the neighborhood heard Mrs. Talbot, too.

“Mandy!  I know you’re over there!”

 Mandy knew she couldn’t hide forever.  She peeked over a bush.

“What’s wrong, Mrs. Talbot?” she asked, her voice a little shaky.

“Your cat was in my flower bed again, that’s what!  Flattened down all my pansies.  He’s the biggest nuisance in the neighborhood!”

 Mandy frowned and stepped out from behind the bush.  “But Mrs. Talbot, Jake is a good cat.  Everyone says so.  He’s friendly and playful and…”

“And a pest!” Mrs. Talbot interrupted.

 Mandy rolled her eyes and sighed.  “Okay, Mrs. Talbot.  I’ll watch him more closely.  I promise.”

“And will you keep him clean, too?” Mrs. Talbot asked.  “Just look at my car!  Paw prints on the hood!  And there’s fur all over the cushion on my porch swing!”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Talbot,” Mandy said.  “I’ll wash your car if you want me to.”

“You’ll do that and more, if I have anything to say about it,” replied Mrs. Talbot.  “I’m calling your mother.”

That night, Mandy slumped down in her chair at the supper table, pushing the food around on her plate with her fork.  “Oh, Mom, do I have to go over there tomorrow?  It’s Saturday!”

“Jake is your cat, so he’s your responsibility,” Mandy’s Mom explained.

“Mrs. Talbot needs her car washed, her flowers replanted, and her swing cleaned.  I think that’s only fair.”

 Mandy moaned.  “From now on, I’m keeping Jake inside.  I’ll work at Mrs. Talbot’s tomorrow, but I don’t want to do it again.”

The next morning came too soon for Mandy.  Her Mom tried to cheer her up with her favorite breakfast of blueberry waffles and orange juice, but Mandy just wasn’t hungry.

 She trudged to the front screen door and gazed across the street.  She could see Mrs. Talbot sitting in the rocking chair on her porch, waiting.

 Mandy’s stomach tightened as she pushed open the door.  Starting down the steps, she felt something bump against her leg.  Mandy gasped.

“Jake!” she called in a loud whisper.  “Jake, come back here!”

 Jake didn’t even turn around.  He trotted across the street and into Mrs. Talbot’s yard.

 Mandy snuck across the grass and hid behind the hedge, trying to decide what to do next.

“Jake!” Mrs. Talbot shouted, and Mandy froze.

“Jake, you scoundrel,” Mrs. Talbot continued.  “Ready for an after-breakfast treat?”

 Mandy’s mouth fell open.  A treat?  She crawled over to the car and crouched low and listened.

“Now Jake, I’m glad you’re here, but where is Mandy?  Why, if it weren’t for you, I don’t suppose I could ever get her to come over.  I get so lonely, you know.”

 Mandy couldn’t believe what she was hearing.  Mrs. Talbot really liked Jake?  And what she really wanted was company, someone to talk to?

 Mandy came out from her hiding place.  Looking both ways before crossing the street, she waved at Mrs. Talbot.  Mrs. Talbot’s looked at her and scowled.

“You’re late!  And you’ve got a lot of work to do!”

“I know,” replied Mandy with a grin.  “I have my list.  There’s so much to do, I think I’ll have to stay all day to finish.  That is, if it’s all right with you.”

Mrs. Talbot glanced at Mandy with surprise.  Her expression softened, and Mandy could tell she was trying to hide a smile.

“However long it takes,” Mrs. Talbot answered, picking up Jake.

“Come on, then,” she said.  “We’ll start by making a big pitcher of lemonade.”