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“About that,” Walt said, cutting him off. “I’m not going to a shelter. I’m a black cat, and black cats don’t do well at shelters. The whole ‘unlucky’ thing.” She attempted to make air quotes, without much success. “So when Bob comes to get us, I’m planning to slip out. I can take care of myself. I’d appreciate it if you don’t draw attention to it.”

Butterbean looked horrified.“No! Walt, we’ll figure something out!” Butterbean raced over to Oscar. “We need to stay together! Right, Oscar? We’ll make a new plan!”

“Wallace invited me and Polo to live in the vents. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if the rest of you came. It’s an option,” Marco said. Then he caught sight of Butterbean’s stricken face. “Well, not for Butterbean. Sorry about that.” Marco wrung his hands apologetically. “But you’re cute—you’re sure to get adopted quickly.”

“Or maybe the power walker woman can take you!” Walt said encouragingly. “She seems nice.”

“No! You can’t live in the vents without me!” Butterbean whimpered.

“Listen, about that—” Oscar started again.

“Are you going to come live in the vents, Oscar?” Marco said.

“Um, no.” Oscar shuddered. “If it came down to it, I’d head to the park. I hear there are some lovely trees there. But listen—”

“No! No trees, no vents, no slipping out! We’ve got to stick together!” Butterbean turned to Oscar, her eyes moist. “We just need a new plan, right, Oscar? Can’t you think of something? You’ve got all the best plans.”

Walt bumped her head up against Butterbean’s side. “Butterbean, think about it,” she said. “Giving the money back was the right thing to do, but now that we aren’t independently wealthy, we can’t live on our own. And besides, we don’t even have anyone to take care of us.”

“We’ve got Madison,” Butterbean said stubbornly.

“We don’t have Madison. Not anymore,” Marco said. “She’s living alone, remember, no adult? Those cops have to know that by now. Do you think they’re going to let her keep doing that?”

Butterbean tried to be positive.“Maybe?”

“No chance,” Walt said, frowning. “She’ll be sent to what, an orphanage?”

“I don’t think they do orphanages that much anymore,” Oscar said. He wasn’t sure, though. There were lots of orphanages on the Television, but Oscar was starting to doubt how accurate his shows really were.

Marco rolled his eyes.“Well, wherever she goes, it won’t be here. She won’t be feeding us,” he said.

“Marco is right, Butterbean,” Walt said sympathetically. “I wish we had options. But we now have zero people to take care of us. Bob is coming. Face it, our time is up.”

Butterbean opened her mouth to protest, but just then a key turned in the lock.

“Bob!” Marco gasped, racing for his aquarium. “No, it’s too soon!” Polo wasn’t even back yet. Marco gritted his teeth. He wasn’t going anywhere without Polo. Not without a fight.

The door opened, and Butterbean screamed in delight.

It was Mrs. Food.

She was sitting in a chair wheeled by Bob, who positioned Mrs. Food next to the couch.

“MRS. FOOD!” Butterbean shrieked, racing to the chair and jumping up in an attempt to climb into Mrs. Food’s lap and lick her nostrils all at the same time.

Bob did not look amused.“Yeah, back in the apartment, huh? I’m onto you, dog,” he muttered, pushing Butterbean away from Mrs. Food. He turned and glared at Walt. “Don’t think I didn’t see you, too, cat.”

Mrs. Food laughed weakly and reached down to scratch Butterbean behind the ears.“Calm down, Bean,” she said.

Butterbean sat down, wagging her tail so hard that she looked like she was going to levitate. Bob shifted uncomfortably.“Now, do you need me to get your stuff together, or…”

Mrs. Food half turned to look at him.“I think I can manage. I can get out of the chair myself. You don’t have to stay.”

Bob looked relieved.“Well, good. That lady, your what, Elder Care lady? She’ll be here soon, so she can help with anything you can’t do. Sorry to see you go, ma’am.”

“Me too, Bob.” Mrs. Food looked sad.

She sat absentmindedly patting Butterbean’s head until she heard Bob leave. Then she turned back to the animals. “Now, all of you, stay calm. I have some bad news.”

Walt hopped up onto the arm of the wheelchair. Oscar flew over to the coffee table. Marco perched on top of his water bottle. Then they waited. This was it. It was finally happening.

Mrs. Food folded her hands in her lap.“I know this has all been very scary for you. And I wish I had better news. I’m well now, but the doctors said I’m not well enough to live on my own. And I can’t take you with me to the care facility I’m going to. So you’re all going to have to go to new homes.”

“Shelter,” Walt said softly.

Butterbean gave a low wail.

Mrs. Food sighed.“I’ll do my best to find places for you. I’ve already started asking around. I’m so sorry.” She rubbed Butterbean’s ear. Butterbean’s leg started to thump. “The nurse is going to be up in just a minute to help me get my things, but I wanted to let you know myself.”

Butterbean launched herself up at Mrs. Food’s face again. She looked so sad. Butterbean couldn’t stand it.