NINE

Sam tried to calm Pinky who was hopping up and down since spotting the locket. “That’s great, sis, but how’re we going to get it?”

“Huh?” Pinky asked, coming back to reality.

“Did you think we could just knock on the door and ask the humans to hand it over?”

Pinky slumped beneath the tree, her head in her hands. “What’ll we do, Sam? We can’t go back to the warren without it!”

“We’ve got to find a way in there somehow,” said Sam, though he wasn’t looking forward to it. “They usually leave the window on the back porch open and we can crawl in that way.”

The two youngsters headed around to the porch, just missing Silas and Henry who were scurrying toward the front on the other side. They climbed onto the porch and managed with the help of a small stack of firewood to reach the ledge. The window was indeed open, but only a small crack. Sam tried to squeeze inside but found it was too narrow. “Help me, Pinky” he grunted, trying to push the window up a little higher. Pinky pushed with all of the strength she could muster but the window wouldn't budge. Sam sat back in a huff.

“Let’s see if I can fit,” said Pinky, lying as flatly as possible.

“I can’t allow you to go in there by yourself!” Sam said angrily, tugging on Pinky’s tail.

“I’ve got to go, Sam. After all, we wouldn’t be in this pickle if it weren’t for me. Besides, I’m the smallest.”

Sam relented and Pinky began to struggle beneath the sash. She was halfway inside before getting stuck. “Sam, I’m jammed!” she said, breathless. Sam tried to pull her back out, but it was no use, she was wedged in too tightly. “Push me!” she called desperately. “It’s our only chance!”

With one mighty shove Pinky was propelled to the other side and landed –

KERPLUNK!

– into something soft and stinky. She put her hand to her nose and wrinkled it with distaste. “Cat food,” she observed. Brushing herself off, she was thankful that she hadn’t landed in the litter box!

“Well, look who dropped in for dinner,” Miss Kitty purred menacingly, slinking toward the frightened opossum with gleaming eyes.

Pinky quickly recalled the lessons of self-defense that her Mama had taught her and proceeded to blow bubbles from her mouth and nose as though rabid. She staggered a few steps toward the astonished cat before falling over dead.

Miss Kitty backed up a few paces and gasped, “How revolting! How thoroughly unappetizing!” Without the pleasure of capturing live prey she stalked off, disgusted and disinterested.

After what seemed like an eternity Pinky came out of her shock-like state and looked about her. Miss Kitty was no where to be seen.