Catboy by Eric Walters Read Free Book Online Page B

to explain, “It’s a movie, a Disney movie. It’s really good. Do you know The Lion King ?”
    Mr. Singh started singing “The Circle of Life” from The Lion King . He was off-key but knew the words. I couldn’t help but smile. “Who does not know Lion King ?” he asked. “That Scar was a very bad leader, but it was a very good movie.”
    â€œDoes anybody ever come here to adopt one of the cats, to make it a pet?” I asked.
    â€œOh, no, never. That would not be possible.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œThese cats are not pets. They are too wild,” he said.
    â€œWhat about if somebody took a kitten?”
    â€œWhen they are very little, they need to be with their mother to survive. When they are older, they are already too wild. They can never be pets. Never.”
    I knew he was right, but still.

Nine
    I put up a shot and it bounced off the rim. Simon, who was short but like a bulldog, grabbed the rebound and put it back up for a basket. That was game.
    â€œGood game,” Devon said as he gave Simon a slap on the back.
    We tapped hands with both Alexander and Devon. They were good losers, and we were good winners. No point in being jerks about it or trash talking. They were just as likely to win the next game as us. Besides, when you put down the people you play against, you’re just putting yourself down as well.
    â€œTaylor!”
    My mom was walking toward us, smiling and waving. I looked at my watch. I’d lost track of the time because I was so preoccupied with the game. I should have gone up and done a little bit more work around the apartment, but still, it was in pretty good shape.
    â€œHey, Taylor’s mom,” Simon said.
    â€œHello, Taylor’s friend, Simon,” she said. “And Taylor’s other friends, Devon and Alexander.”
    I could tell she liked my new friends and was particularly fond of Simon. But why wouldn’t she like them? They were polite guys and worked hard at school.
    I knew she’d been worried about the new friends I would make, and my grandparents had been worried even more. I guess when all you know about Toronto is what appears on the nightly news, you could get the impression a lot of bad things happen here. But none of that stuff happened at my school or in my building.
    â€œI was just heading up to the apartment,” I said.
    â€œStay if you want, and I’ll get supper on the table.”
    â€œThe potatoes are peeled and sitting in water,” I said.
    I had discovered I didn’t have to hide the fact that I helped my mom out, because the other guys all helped around their places too.
    â€œYou are such a sweetheart. And those will go very well with what I have right here.”
    She held up one of the plastic bags she was carrying. Peeking out the top was a KFC box!
    â€œI thought I smelled something special,” I said, but what I thought was, Do we have enough money for that?
    â€œThis is a special meal for a special celebration,” she said. “Or at least a potential celebration.”
    â€œWhat are we celebrating?” I asked.
    â€œYeah, what are we celebrating?” Simon added. “And by the way, if you need somebody else to do the celebration eating, I could be persuaded to eat some KFC.”
    â€œCount me in too!” Devon exclaimed.
    â€œAnd me,” Alexander added.
    â€œYou are all most welcome to join us for a meal, another time. Tonight I only bought enough for two.”
    â€œSo what are we celebrating?” I asked.
    â€œTechnically, nothing yet. I have to discuss it with you first,” she said.
    â€œWith me?” Now I was equal parts curious and worried. “What is it?”
    â€œNothing bad, so don’t worry. Let’s talk about it over dinner.”
    â€œIn that case, we should go straight upstairs and eat. I’m hungry,” I said.
    â€œHungry or curious?” she asked.
    â€œCan’t