“Please, Mom, please,” begged Jenna.  “Becca has two left- one’s black with a white face and one is all black.  They’re the sweetest kittens.  I’d look after them. I really, really would.”

“Jenna we’ve been over this before.” said her mother.   “You can’t have a cat and you know why.  Your sister is allergic so we can’t have one in the house.”

Jenna glared at her sister Carrie.  “Why do I have to have a dumb sister that’s allergic to cats?’

“That’s not very kind, Jenna.  Carrie can’t help it.  I’m sure she would like a kitten too, but we’re not going to get one so you’d better get used to it.”

“Becca has a cat and two kittens, two rabbits and a dog.  All I have is a stupid goldfish.”

“You begged for that goldfish.” said her mother, as she stirred a big pot on the stove.  “Now it’s your responsibility.”

“I do look after Fins, Mom.  And I really do like him. It’s just that....” her voice trailed off.

“I want you to take Carrie out to the back yard and keep an eye on her for a while.” said Mom.  “I have to finish these pickles and I don’t want her underfoot.  Off the two of you go.”

Jenna took Carrie by the arm and took her out to the back yard, grumbling as she went.

“Jenna want kitty?” asked Carrie.

“Yes, Jenna wants kitty and thanks to you she won’t get one.” She plunked
Carrie down at the small table not too gently and handed her a blob of modelling clay.  “Make something pretty,” she said as Carrie crumpled up her face and looked as if she were about to cry.

  Jenna sat on a large stone by the flower bed and sighed.  All she ever wanted was a cat. “I wish I didn’t have a sister”, she mumbled to herself.  “Then I could do what I want.”

Just then Becca came by in the back lane pushing a doll’s carriage.  “Come see” she called to Jenna.

Jenna opened the back gate and stooped over the carriage.  There were the two kittens, cute little balls of fluff whose eyes had just opened.

“We have to find homes for them.  Then Fluffy is going to the vet so she can’t have any more.  Mom says we have too many pets.”

“I can’t have one.  Carrie’s allergic.  You’re lucky not having sisters.”

“Tough luck,” said Becca.  “Oh, I gotta go, Mom’s calling”

Jenna went back into the yard shutting the gate behind her.  She looked over to the table where Carrie should be sitting, but she wasn’t.

“Carrie!” she called crossly,  “Where are you?  I’m not playing hide-and seek.”  She looked all around the yard, behind the shed and into the front yard.  No Carrie.

“Carrie, this isn’t funny.  Where are you?  Come out now.”

She had a horrible thought.  Could Carrie have slipped out the back gate while she was admiring the kittens?  What if she was lost?  She ran to the back lane and looked up and down.  No Carrie. 

“Oh, Carrie.  I didn’t mean it when I said I wished I didn’t have a sister.  Please, please, don’t be lost or hurt.  I’d rather have you than any pet.”  Jenna began to cry and was just about to call for Mom when she heard a little giggle and saw a rustle in the peony bushes.  A moment later out popped Carrie.

Jenna was too relieved to scold.  “Kitty for Jenna,’ said Carrie holding up a blob of modelling clay which didn’t look much like a cat.

“Thanks, Carrie. I’m so glad I have you for a sister,” said Jenna, as she hugged her. “I guess I’ll just have to visit the pets at Becca’s.  But I wonder-what about a rabbit?”  Maybe Carrie wouldn’t be allergic to a rabbit.  A rabbit would be nearly as good as a kitten, and Becca said their mother rabbit was getting fat.  Jenna knew what that meant.-  “Oh Mom.”  She grabbed Carrie’s hand and ran to the back door.  “Mom, guess what?”