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“What are you going to name him?” I asked

The girls looked at each other Hallie sighed “That’s a problem”

“Why?”

“Daddy said since we picked the cat, he gets to name him”

I laughed “What does he want to name him?”

“Here are the choices” Hallie pulled a piece of paper from her skirt pocket and read it solemnly “Steven Tyler, Freddie Mercury, or Eddie Van Halen”

I covered my mouth with one hand “Which one do you like best?”

Hallie looked at me like I was nuts “None of them Those aren’t cat names Those are man names”

“I like Freddie,” said Luna

“I do too,” I told her “And what if you called him Freddie Purrcury?”

Hallie perked right up “That’s perfect! I mean—purrfect”

“Hello?” Dex’s voice floated through the screen door

“Come on in!” I called

I heard the door open and close, and he appeared in the kitchen a ray pants and a light blue button-down I’d never seen hiainst his skin My pulse quickened when he smiled at me

“Hey,” I said “I’ all about your new cat”

“We’ll name him Freddie Purrcury,” Luna said “Is that okay with you?”

Dex groaned “I guess”

“I think it’s a good co his shoulder

“Can Winnie come to the pet store with us, Daddy?” Hallie asked

“Please,” added Luna, clasping her hands in prayer beneath her chin

“That’s up to her,” Dex said

I hated to disappoint theent is co over, so I have to stay here”

“What’s a real estate agent?” Luna asked

“It’s the person who’s going to help me sell my condo”

“You’re ?” Hallie’s eyes ide

I felt sad, breaking the news “Yes I have to, because I have a new job in Rhode Island”

“Where’s Rhode Island?” Luna looked from me to her dad “Is it close?”

Dex shook his head