“Yes! Yes, I do want to find him,” Sarah hissed.

“Ooh. You’ve gotten really good at that whole hissing thing!” Simone said. “And as it happens, I got his number.”

“Great! I take back about one third of everything nasty I’ve ever said about you,” Sarah said. “What’s the number?”

“Oh, I don’t know if I can find it,” Simone said. “But you know what might help my memory?”

—

“I add back two thirds of everything nasty I’ve ever said about you,” Sarah grumbled. She was curled up on the sofa next to Simone, who was happily scratching her behind the ears.

“Aw, don’t be a bad kitty!” Simone gushed, stroking her back. “C’mon, purr. Wanna hear you purr!” Despite herself, Sarah arched her back into the stroking, and purred. It did feel good—and it was making her sleepy. “Good kitty!”

—

When Sarah woke up, she knew something was wrong. The way she was now standing on four legs was her first clue.

Simone was giggling on the phone. “Uh-huh! All the way! Thank you so much, Raoul, I love my new pet kitty!”