The Sasquatch Escape (The Imaginary Veterinary) by Suzanne Selfors Page A

again.
    “Sometimes the hardest part of this job is saying good-bye,” Dr. Woo said, as if reading Ben’s mind. Then she ushered them to the elevator door. “Mr. Tabby will see you to the gate. Good day.”
    Mr. Tabby was waiting in the lobby, a pocket watch in his hand. “So? You are going to be apprentices?”
    “Maybe,” Ben said. “If we can get permission.”
    Mr. Tabby tucked the watch into his vest pocket. “Today is Saturday. The apprenticeship begins on Monday. That gives you one day to get permission.”
    “We’ll get it,” Pearl said with a confident nod.
    “Follow me. It’s time for you to go home.” The big ring of keys swung from Mr. Tabby’s hand as hehurried down the driveway, the kids at his heels. “It is beyond my comprehension how Dr. Woo expects me to do my job and babysit you two at the same time.”
    “We don’t need a babysitter,” Pearl said huffily. “We’re old enough to take care of ourselves.”
    “I hope you are old enough to take care of yourselves, because being an apprentice for Dr. Woo will not be like working at an ice-cream parlor or in a candy shop. It will be dangerous work, I tell you. And I do not have time to watch over you.”
    The scars on Dr. Woo’s face and neck and her missing finger were like neon warning signs. Ben remembered how the hatchling’s flame had nearly burned off his face. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” he said, common sense tugging at his thoughts. His parents wouldn’t be pleased if he came home missing a foot or covered in claw marks.
    “Too late for you to change your mind,” Mr. Tabby told him as they reached the gate. “You have agreed. You have signed the contract of secrecy.”He raised his eyebrows and stared down at Ben. “Are you a man who keeps his word? Or are you a liar?”
    “I’m not a liar,” Ben said.
    “Ben tells a lot of stories,” Pearl said. “But that’s different from lying.”
    “Stories?” Mr. Tabby frowned. “Well, you are forbidden to tell any of Dr. Woo’s stories. Do you understand?”
    Ben nodded.
    “Then, if you are able to obtain your parents’ permission, I shall see you here Monday at eight o’clock in the morning. Do not be late.” Mr. Tabby opened the gate.
    “Should we bring anything?” Pearl asked. “Like a backpack or a sack lunch?”
    Mr. Tabby’s nose twitched. “It is always a good idea to bring bandages. Lots and lots of bandages.” He reached into his vest and pulled out two rolled-up pieces of paper, each tied neatly with a ribbon. “I almost forgot. Each of you has earned a certificate in Sasquatch Catching.”
    “Thanks,” Ben and Pearl said as they took the certificates.
    “Eight in the morning,” Mr. Tabby repeated as he locked the gate behind them. “Do not be late or I shall be most displeased.” Then he turned on his heels and headed back to the old factory.
    “Look,” Pearl whispered, nudging Ben with her elbow.
    As Mr. Tabby walked away, a tail slid out from under his vest—a long red cat’s tail. But it was there for only a moment, then disappeared as if…
    As if it had been…imaginary.





22

    D o you think we should go into the forest and check on Mrs. Mulberry and Victoria?” Ben asked.
    “I guess so,” Pearl said.
    They hurried across the road and were just about to head up the forest path when a horn honked and a blue-and-white patrol car pulled up alongside. The darkened window rolled down, and Officer Milly stuck out her head. “Hiya, Pearl. Hiya, Ben. What are you two up to?”
    “Nothing,” Pearl said.
    “Nothing,” Ben said.
    Ben’s reflection stared back at him in Officer Milly’s sunglasses. He looked exactly the same as he’d looked when he’d gotten up that morning. But he’d just had the most amazing adventure of his life.
Shouldn’t I look different?
he wondered.
    Officer Milly stared over the rims of her glasses. “It’s been a strange morning. A stray dog got loose in the senior center and made a real