Change the channel! Annabelle commanded. We want to watch a Halloween monster movie.
She and Thatch wore their Halloween costumes. Annabelle was a witch with a black cape and hat, and Thatch wore his “Cats Against Trump” shirt and a pair of shorts. Stella looked the same
Those are nice costumes, babies, I said. Let me see, Annabelle’s easy to figure out, but where’s Stella’s costume?
She’s my witch’s cat, Annabelle explained.
Okay, I said. I get it. I gotta say, Thatch, I don’t understand your costume. Who are you going as?
You, he said.
Change the channel! Annabelle ordered. We want a Halloween monster movie.
Now wait a minute. I will not let you scare Thatch again. You know he’s easily frightened, and I-
Tell him, Thatch, Annabelle ordered. Go on. Tell him.
Tell me what? What Thatch?
We want to watch a funny Halloween movie.
Is there one? I asked.
Yes, Annabelle told me. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein!
Yes! I forgot. It is funny. It’s got scary moments, but it is very funny.
Put it on!
Oh, I can’t! I’m sorry, babies, I’ve got to watch CNN. I’m so worried about this election, you know.
You’re just in love with Chris Cuomo, Annabelle said.
You are? Thatch asked.
No, I said perhaps too defensively, I’m not. but he is nice to look at.
When are you going to ask Detective Kibble out? Annabelle got in my face. When? You know he likes you. He’s good looking, he’s always nice to Thatch and me . . . You know he likes you.
No, Annabelle, you think he likes me. And, besides, he’s way too young for me. He could be my grandson.
Nonsense, Annabelle sniffed.
I forgot to tell you. His name isn’t really Kibble; it’s Kebble.
What’s in a name? He likes you. Ask. Him. Out!
We wanted to watch Abbott and Costello, Thatch cried.
I’ll make you a deal, I said. Halloween is Saturday. We’ll watch it tomorrow night.
And then we can go Trick or Kibble! Annabelle shouted enthusiastically.
It’s a deal, I said.
Then we will watch CNN with you. Thatch, Stella, come with me.
Where are you going? I asked.
We have to dress for the campaign news. We’ll be back. Get our treats ready.
I watched three cats scamper into the bathroom. After a second I rose from the bed and hobbled to the kitchen for one of their dishes. I filled it with Meow Mix and a few other things: dried salmon, some Greenies anti-hairball treats, and Thatch’s dried shrimp. As I hobbled back to the bed, my three kittens erupted from the bathroom and ran to join me on the bed. They wore their “Cats Against Trump“ caps.
I see you’re all set now.
Yes! We are excited about the election, Annabelle stated, but I sure wanted to watch Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.
I promise we’ll watch it tomorrow night, Annabelle.
So, who’s this man with the map? Thatch asked me.
He’s giving us a report on what the polls are saying about how the Biden and Trump campaigns are going.
Oh, okay.
Thatch tried to get a treat from the dish, but Stella blocked him and gobbled up what she could.
Stella! I shouted. Let Thatch have some treats, you little piglet.
She does this every time I want a little bit, Thatch complained.
She’s impossible, Annabelle said. She won’t listen.
I’m sorry, Thatch, I said. I lifted her away from the dish and Thatch grabbed a shrimp for himself. She fought me and I set her down. She ran back to the dish and pushed Thatch out of the way.
I’ll wait until she’s had enough, Thatch told me.
I’m sorry, baby, I told him.
I’m used to it.
Is Biden going to win? Annabelle asked.
I hope so, I do hope so. We have to wait and see.
I hate Trump, Annabelle said. He’s bad for the country, the climate, the ecology, and animals.
Oh, Annabelle, I hate to tell you-
What? What? Tell me what? Annabelle looked alarmed.
On Sunday we have to change the clocks.
I know he’s behind that, too! I just hate him.
Stella stopped eating and looked at me. She leaped onto my foot and bit my toe.
©2020, Larry Moore
Annabelle & Thatch 