1

Hello, my name is Jenny Foxworth, I'm seven years old, and I live in New York City. I live in a large, five-story penthouse on Fifth Avenue with my parents, our dog Georgette, and our butler Winston. My mom is a former fashion model, and my dad is the CEO of the Foxworth Clothing Company, which was started by my grandfather after World War II. They mainly deal with men's suites, but lately they have been getting into women's pantsuits since a lot of women have been entering the workforce. Because of my dads work he and my mom are away most of the time. My mom says they need to travel a lot in order to pay the bills, but I would trade living in a smaller house if it meant spending more time with them.

Winston is the only person I ever really talk to outside of school. I don't have any friends my age. There are a couple girls I talk to on the bus to and from school, but that's about it in terms of socializing with my peers. I don't play with any other kids during recess or lunch. Instead I sit and read my library book. I like reading biographies of famous people. My favorite biography was one I read on Mozart, since I love playing the piano. A few kids have asked me to play dodge ball, but I'm just not that interested.

About a year ago my mom took me to see a shrink and I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Mozart supposedly had it to. I guess it's supposed to affect the part of my brain that deals with socializing and making friends. But it doesn't really bother me that much that I don't have any friends. I've got Winston and Georgette and that's all I really need. I've had Georgette since I was born. We basically grew up together. She's sort of a diva, but whenever I'm having a bad day or I get really upset she is always there to be by my side and make me feel better. I'm so lucky she is my dog.

2

One day after school I come home to find my parents are back from their trip to Tokyo, and they have great news. I'm going to have a baby brother! For six months I watch as Moms belly gets bigger and bigger. I touch her belly and feel it kicking. I really can't wait to meet my baby brother. I can't wait to meet Oliver.

The day finally came, and Winston took all of us to the hospital, Georgette included. I didn't want her to miss this. Georgette and Winston and I waited as my parents were in the delivery room. Winston and I passed the time by playing card games and watching the news on TV.

Hours must have gone by. Eventually a nurse came to pull Winston aside. After the nurse talked to him he looked very upset so I knew something was wrong. Winston got down on his knees, put his hand on my shoulder, and told me the terrible news. I wasn't going to have a baby brother after all. Baby Oliver died and had gone to heaven, because his heart wasn't strong enough.

I cried as Winston hugged me telling me everything was going to be all right. Georgette came to sit right next to me and put a paw on my shoulder. What I had been looking forward to for six months was now gone forever. I never felt so much pain in my entire life.

3

A few months after Oliver died my parents take a trip to Europe. I hope they're able to come back in time for my birthday. It's only a few days away. After school Winston takes me shopping to buy a new dress for my birthday (as well as a few other things since I love to shop. What city girl doesn't?). He gives me a letter Mom wrote to me as he's driving me home. My family owns a large, gold stretch limousine. I love that there is a TV in the back, and I can watch cartoons while being driven around the city.

"Winston, listen to this," I say before reading the letter out loud. "After a little sightseeing, we left Paris by car for the confer…"

"Conference, Jennifer."

"Oh, yes, conference, in Rome on Wednesday. Jenny I'm afraid your father and I won't be able to make it…"

My heart sinks as I put down the letter.

"Is there anything wrong Jenny?" asks Winston. "Are your parents all right?"

"They're saying longer," I say.

"Don't worry," says Winston. "I'm sure they'll be home for your birthday."

"No," I say, as I look out the window at all the children with their parents. Mom promised, promised me that this time would be different, that this time they would be home for my birthday. Another promise broken. First having a baby brother, and now this.

All of a sudden the car is hit by something and Winston gets out to see what's going on. While he's outside I notice a little kitten standing on the dashboard. As I roll down the privacy window the kitty slips on the car keys and gets tangled in a bunch of wires.

"Oh you poor kitty," I say. "Here, let me help you."

I gently pull the wire off the kitty's paw.

"Jenny, are you all right?" pants Winston as he comes back to the car.

"I'm fine Winston. Say Winston, look what I found."

"A cat? How on Earth did a cat get in here?"

Winston tries to talk me out of taking the kitty home, but I refuse. There is now way I'm going to let this cute little thing defend for itself. What if it doesn't have a mother to take care of it? If that was the case I was going to be it's new mother.

I hold the kitty in my hands all the way back to the house, starring into its little eyes. As we reach a stoplight, I start thinking about what I would name the poor little thing. But first I have to know something. I roll down the privacy window.

"Hey Winston, could you tell me if this kitty is a boy or a girl?"

Winston grew up on a farm in England. Surely he would be able to tell the gender of the kitty.

Winston takes the kitty and looks underneath it.

"It's a boy," he says.

4

When we get home Winston goes upstairs to check on Georgette while I go into the kitchen to make the kitty a huge lunch since he's half-starved. I still have no idea what to name him.

As I search through the cupboards I start thinking that if Baby Oliver didn't die there would be baby food, and he and the kitty would get along great.

I now know what the kitty's name is going to be.