They had taken a detour to their local pet food store on their way home the day before, and the kittens had every amenity they needed: colorful ceramic dishes, a scratching post, litter boxes, and a soft cushioned bed, big enough for both of them. Not surprising, however, they had both slept curled up with Nicky, and the three of them had awakened Ian this morning at the inhumane hour of six.
After awhile of watching the kittens at play, Nicky pushed himself up off the floor and went to the phone on the wall of the kitchen. Ian watched him dial, and when he heard Nicky ask, "Can Floyd come over?" he blinked away the mist that had suddenly covered his eyes. Ten minutes later, a tall, dark-haired boy came flying into the house.
"Wow! a Game Box," Floyd exclaimed. Then his eyes lighted on Sparky and Bubba. "And kittens! Wow, you sure were lucky this year!" The boys played with the kittens for awhile, then Floyd asked Nicky if he wanted to go outside and throw a ball around.
Ian watched the two boys through the window, tossing a football back and forth. He cringed when he saw Nicky clumsily running to catch a long pass, then crash to the ground, then watched as Floyd helped him up and brushed the dirt off his jacket. Finally satisfied that things were going okay outside, he sat in his recliner and gazed at the tree, both kittens curled up in his lap. As his gaze drifted to the top of the tree, he remembered Nicky making his wish two nights before. As he wondered again what the wish had been, he thought, just for an instant, that he saw the angel wink.
