A Coyote's in the House Page 5

  Lola gave a little shake to fluff her hair.

  My room's bigger than this one and it's prettier. They hang special draperies that I can claw all I want.

  I bet you live alone, Miss Betty said, don't know what to do with yourself.

  I have my master. She kisses me on the mouth. How's her breath?

  Not too bad.

  You ought to smell some of the breaths around here. I won't say which ones, Miss Betty said. You kiss your master back to get what you want?

  Of course, Lola said.

  You ought to live with a German shepherd who thinks he runs the house. He did pay for it, but that's another story. His name's Buddy, and you know what? For some strange reason he loves cats. Don't ask me why. It might be old age or he's forgotten he's a dog. And now we have a boarder, Antwan. Thinks he's cool 'cause he's from the Hollywood Hills. Miss Betty paused. He is, sort of, for a coyote.

  Lola jumped hearing the word coyote and her legs stiffened. How can you have a coyote in the house? A note of terror in her little cat voice. What's he doing here?

  I find out, Miss Betty said, I'll let you know. Is he a friend of yours?

  You'll have to wait on that one, too. Listen, Miss Betty said, don't think about it, or worry what's gonna happen to you. If you don't make any noise or cause trouble, you'll be out of here in no time, back to that one kisses you with the bad breath.

  Lola didn't understand.

  That was all right, because now Miss Betty said, But if you try to run, or think if you cry loud enough you'll be rescued, it won't happen. The Hollywood Hills coyote I mentioned? He'll have you for dinner.

  Just at that moment Lola heard a sound coming from the hall.

  She didn't think Miss Betty's big floppy ears under that ridiculous hairdo could have caught the sound.

  But she did hear it, rushed Lola into the closet and pushed the door shut after her.

  Only it didn't close all the way. Lola pressed her face to the opening where a crack of light showed from the bedroom. She saw a little girl giving Miss Betty tidbits from a plastic bag with a cartoon doggy on it.

  And saw the bedroom door to the hall left open. Should she make a run for it?

  Not knowing where she was, or how to get out of the house?

  No, first she had to think about what she was doing here. What if they were going to eat her? Or maybe it was something Lola and the other Persians had talked about at shows. Catnapping: humans grabbing you, hiding you someplace, and then they either let you go like threw you out of a car or you disappeared and no one ever saw you again.

  It looked like that's what this was about. Maybe the coyote was trained to kidnap cats, and if he ever ate one they'd beat him. She hoped so.

  Now she was wondering about the German shepherd who liked cats, Buddy, and if he was in the house somewhere.

  She watched the little girl hold the tidbit over her head, making Miss Betty beg for it. Lola's master never did mean things like that. She called her Lolums and Sweetums.

  The little girl walked out of the room.

  Leaving the door open.

  Miss Betty didn't notice it right away. When she did, she strolled over and pushed the door closed with that big black nose she was so proud of.

  It told Lola this poodle didn't know much of anything about cats, especially how quick and crafty they were.

  Chapter Eight.

  Not the next morning but the one after, Buddy said to Antwan at breakfast, What've you been doing? I haven't seen you lately.

  Same old, Antwan said, his nose in the dish of fried eggs the maid fixed for him when he wimpered and gave her the look, with toast.

  Been hanging with Miss Betty, huh?

  Yes, he had, up in her room, but said to Buddy, I chase her around, pretend I want to bite off her pom-pom.

  I used to do that. I think she likes it acts scared so you'll keep chasing her. By the way, Buddy said, you hear about the cat that disappeared?

  Antwan raised his nose from the dish, but then only said, Uh-unh, not wanting to sound too interested.

  Yeah, the mom and dad were talking about it, Buddy said. Yesterday some kids came to the door asking if anyone had seen her. They put up a poster along the road says she's missing and offers a reward to whoever finds her. It even has her picture on it.

  What kind of cat is it? Antwan said, acting interested now.

  A white Persian named Lola. They said she was in a movie, but I've never heard of any Lola. There was a Crissy in Buddy to the Rescue, the little girl's cat. When we can't find Crissy we know it was the wolves got her.

  I saw the picture, Antwan said, and asked then, What do you think happened to Lola?

  Got bored and sneaked off, Buddy said.

  Antwan said, I wonder how she got out of there. Saw Buddy lift his head to look at him and knew he'd made a mistake.

  Out of where? Buddy said.

  The house where she lives.

  Buddy kept looking at him, working the taste of breakfast in his mouth. Now he said, You were gone the other day, weren't you?

  Took a run in the woods.

  You didn't happen to see her, did you, a white Persian? I would've told you, Antwan said.

  Buddy didn't say if he believed that or not. He finished his breakfast and went outside.

  Antwan went upstairs, the kids still in bed, and put his head against Miss Betty's door. With no lock on it the door was easy to push open. He saw her standing by the closet, but didn't say anything until he'd closed the door.

  They're looking for her.

  It's what they do, Miss Betty said.

  Homes thinks Lola took off by herself. I said how would she get out of there?

  Miss Betty frowned. Oh, no.

  He knew I was gone for a while the other day, but didn't mention you. He asked if I happened to see Lola while I was out. I said to him, 'I would've told you.'

  Well, he knows that isn't true, Miss Betty said. He might suspect you ate Lola, but would never imagine you doing anything else with her.

  How is she?

  Miss Betty moved away from the closet. I told her about Buddy, that he was a movie star She's in movies, too.

  She was in a horror movie. I told her Buddy loved cats and now she keeps asking about him, Miss Betty putting on a tiny little kitty voice to say, 'Why can't I meet him?' I told her she would if she promised to be good and not act up.

  Antwan went over to the closet. He said, It's not shut all the way.

  It sticks, Miss Betty said. I put the latch between my teeth to pull it open.

  Antwan placed his nose against the edge of the door and sniffed. He could tell Lola was there in the dark without seeing her. He said, Hey, Lola? You smell good enough to eat.

  Lo l a saw the coyote's nose filling the space and heard his voice. Now the nose turned away and was gone.

  She crept over to the slit of light, put her pug face against it and watched Antwan walk to the bedroom door and work it open with his nose. There was something on the floor to stop the door from closing all the way it looked like a block of wood otherwise Miss Poodle wouldn't be able to get out.

  He had the door open enough to slip through Lola waiting to see if the poodle would come over and close it when Miss Betty called to the coyote.

  Would you lend me your nose for a minute?

  Dogs used their noses all the time, poking them at things, poking her now, Miss Poodle asking was she okay, was she comfortable. Lola used her dainty pink nose only to smell things. She couldn't imagine sticking it in places she didn't know about.

  Lola, with hope in her heart, watched Antwan turn from the door. Leaving it open.

  No, the cool Hollywood Hills coyote turned back again and closed it. Darn it.

  Now he went over to Miss Helpless Poodle standing by the window saying she'd like some fresh air. Like the door, the window was held open by a small block of wood.

  Lola watched them hunch down to stick their noses into the narrow opening, watched the
m both raise up at the same time and the window came with them.

  She heard Miss Poodle say, Ah, that's better. The two of them leaning on the windowsill now, looking out at the yard.

  Bu d d y was walking toward the house. He looked up to see their faces in the window, Antwan and Miss Betty.

  Now just Betty.

  Antwan had backed away, not wanting to be seen. But why? Not because he was with Betty. Buddy knew for a fact Antwan was in and out of her room all day Betty believing she was changing him, and Antwan didn't seem to mind it. No, it was something else.

  And Buddy thought right away of Antwan saying at breakfast, I wonder how she got out of there. The cat named Lola. It slipped out, as much as Antwan saying, I wonder how she got over that fence with the razor wire on top? Buddy had heard the mom and dad talking about the house and the cat's owner, all that. And knew for certain Antwan hadn't heard a word of it. The coyote could only pick up a few human words. He might someday understand as much as Buddy.

  Antwan knew where the cat lived. Buddy was sure of it. Once this was in Buddy's mind that Antwan and maybe even Betty had something to do with the cat it stuck there and became fact until proved otherwise. Buddy ran toward the dog door.

  Miss Betty turned fromthewindow. He's coming. You'd better get out of here, quick.

  He saw me, Antwan said. He's gonna come in here and smell her, you know that. But listen, maybe you can talk him into doing it anyway.

  Me? Miss Betty said. You're the talker.

  Yeah, but it was your idea.

  Buddy came in just then, pushed in and stood there looking at them, leaving the door open.

  He said to Antwan, How'd you get in the yard? Antwan gave Miss Betty a look and a shrug and turned back to Buddy. Over the house. It wasn't nothing. You eat her there or in the woods?

  I don't believe it, Antwan said. Homes, you have something wrong with your nose?

  Buddy sniffed. Why he hadn't caught the scent the moment he walked in his mind had been stuck on Antwan.

  You have her here.

  Buddy, we have an idea that would be fun. Miss Betty speaking now. You find Lola, you know, outside somewhere, and take her back to her owner.

  Then what?

  It's like we're pulling a trick on humans for a change, Miss Betty said. It would be fun.

  Who for, you or me? He turned to Antwan. How did you keep from eating her?

  It was hard, Antwan said.

  Good. Don't change, Buddy said. Then to Betty, Bring her out. Then you two leave. I want to talk to Lola alone.

  Bu d d y brought L o l a over to the window so she could get some fresh air. Have they treated you all right?

  If you think being locked up in the dark is all right, Lola said. I don't.

  Can't cats see in the dark?

  If you want to believe that, go ahead.

  Lola looked over the sill to see the roof, just a short hop from the window.

  Are you hungry?

  I had some doggy treats. I don't know how you can eat them.

  I'll get you home soon, don't worry, Buddy said.

  That's what Miss Poodle kept saying.

  They were just playing around with you.

  The coyote?

  No, really, they're just playing a trick. Listen, Buddy said, what I want to ask you, what movies you appeared in. I might've seen them.

  Well, I did The Return of the Slime Creatures You worked for Harry Zimm? Like that he was out of his serious mood. He produced all my movies, the Buddy series.

  I knew Crissy, the Angora that was in the one with the wolves?

  'Buddy to the Rescue, the first one. It opened and Harry Zimm said to me, 'Fella, I'm gonna make you rich.'

  I tested for Slime Creatures, Lola said, and Harry picked me because of my pure white coat against all the green slime, the contrast. I played decorative parts in a few other pictures, always the human females' cat. They never stop stroking, even between takes.

  You know the business, Buddy said. Why'd you quit?

  No work. Orientals are big now, some of them even look like cat androids, like that hairless sphynx you see in Austin Powers movies? My owner got me into shows so she can take credit when I win. Lola blinked, sniffed and then said, I acted like a spoiled brat with Miss Hoity-Toity Poodle, and I shouldn't have. I even started it.

  I know what you mean, though, Buddy said. Betty's a show bitch and they're all the same. But I'll tell you, Betty's easier to live with since Antwan came to visit.

  What on earth, Lola the white Persian wanted to know, are you doing with a coyote in the house?

  That's a long story. Maybe I'll tell you about it sometime.

  Lola said, On the way to my house?

  If you want.

  You promise you'll take me home?

  Buddy nodded. I promise.

  Miss Poodle promised, too, only she's a kidnapper. That's over with.

  If I don't believe her, Lola said, why should I believe you?

  Honey, Buddy said, you and I are different. We were in show business. It's like there's a bond between us and we know we can trust each other.

  That's how I felt about Crissy, Lola said, until I told her about a part I was sure of getting. That two-faced Angora played up to the director with her cute meows and he hired her instead of me.

  Well, that can happen, Buddy said.

  Yes, when you trust someone, Lola said.

  Here was Buddy trying to be nice and not getting anywhere. The best thing to do was quit talking and take her home. He said to Lola, Stay here, I'll be right back.

  He went out to the hall where Miss Betty and Antwan were waiting and told them, She's going home. Now. And I don't want to hear any more about it.

  Miss Betty said, Well, you are saving her, aren't you? Lola's owner won't know she was kidnapped, but I'll bet she'll give you a reward.

  Like what, Buddy said, cat treats? The sooner this is over, the better. Come on, help me sneak her out of the house. He turned and pushed the bedroom door wide open and then stood there, not saying a word, Miss Betty looked in and said, Where is she?

  Ah-oh, the window, we left it open. Antwan said, She must've jumped out on the roof.

  Then to the ground, Miss Betty said. It's high for her, but cats always land on their feet.

  Sure enough. From the window now they watched a white ball of fluff run across the yard, climb the fence, leap to the other side and disappear into the trees, She's a goner now for sure, Antwan said, unless we find her before the brothers do.

  Chapter Nine.

  Buddy didn't want Miss Betty to come, telling her, You'll mess up your hair and I'll get blamed for it.

  She came anyway, jumped the fence with Antwan and ran into the trees, Buddy yelling at her to go back home. Miss Betty did stop long enough to tell Buddy, Look, I've been in the woods before, so quit yelling at me.

  Now Buddy had to ask, When were you out here? in a stern voice, like he was her father.

  Antwan already had the cat's scent in his nose. He said to Buddy, I brought her here the other day, homes, while you're falling asleep watching your movies. She's cool in the wild, knows her way around. You want to stand here arguing? Or find the cat before some coyotes get hold of her?

  That ended the argument.

  They put their noses to the ground and ran this way and that following the scent, sometimes in circles. It told Antwan this cat wasn't only scared, she didn't know where she was going. Hey, but Lola was brave just to come out here. You had to give her that. Antwan was thinking he ought to get to know cats more. Talk to 'em first.

  They came to a hollow choked with brush and Antwan stopped to sniff and look it over. If she wasn't in there now she was a minute ago.

  Lola's in there, Miss Betty said, always sure of herself, and started to work her way though the tangle of brush.

  Right away Buddy was yelling at her, Don't go in there!

  Miss Betty stopped before she was too far in. She looked back saying, Don't y
ou remember the story of Brer Rabbit, the part where he wants to get thrown in the thicket? It's a good place to hide.

  It was a brier patch in the story, Buddy called to her, just like this one. You're not a rabbit, Betty. You're not a cat, either. You're too big to go in there.

  Too late. She was already into the brier patch.

  The next thing they heard from her was, Uh-oh.

  I told you, Buddy said, didn't I? Now you're caught by the thorns and all that prickly stuff.

  They heard her voice say, How do I get out? Oh, now you want my advice, Buddy said. Turn around and come out the way you went in. He looked at Antwan. What should she do?

  Learn never to go in places like that. You know what her coat's gonna look like she comes out?

  It's why I warned her, Buddy said.

  And you're gonna catch the blame. Antwan grinning at him now. 'Cause you old and wise to the ways of brier patches and such.

  They could hear her moving through the branches snagging her coat, and now she stepped out in the open, poor Miss Betty, covered with burrs and bits of leaves and things, stuck to her topknot to tail.

  You have to get somebody, Antwan said, to bite all those burrs off you, somebody more devoted to you than I am, 'cause they're prickly, cut your mouth up and swell your tongue. I did it one time only, for Ramona.

  She's going home, Buddy said to Antwan. Now. Like he was too disappointed in Miss Betty to say it to her directly.

  You have some things on your floppy ears, Antwan said. I can bite them off without hurting myself. He moved close to her and nipped at the vegetation. Girl, are you in pain or you just feel like a fool?

  Go home. Buddy telling it to her face now. They'll take one look at you and call the Caboose. Or put you in the car and go to the vet's.

  She ain't hurt, Antwan said.

  She was in the woods, Buddy said. They'll want to know if she picked up anything.

  Like what?

  Ticks, parasites.

  You serious? Antwan said. Bite 'em off. Man, I'm in the woods all day long, I'm healthy.

  You're different, Buddy said. You're not anything like us.

  It got Antwan to say, But you think you can join the pack and be like me? Become a coyote?

  He waited, but Buddy didn't say any more about it. He sent Miss Betty on her way home, and now the dog and the coyote went sniffing after the cat.