149. WHAT DO WE CALL IT?

I closed the emails and went in search of Annabelle. I found her reading her latest Backstage on my worktable.

Okay, Annabelle, what do we call this book?

Someone’s really publishing your book? Seriously?

This year. I’m excited. Are you excited?

Well . . . yes! I think so.

What so you think would be a good title?

Annabelle thought for a moment. What about “All About Annabelle”?

Well, Thatch is as important as you are in it.

No, he isn’t. I’m the star. What about “Annabelle And Val”?

I was thinking of “Cat Tales: The Adventures of Annabelle and Thatch.”

What about “All About Annabelle And Her little Brother”? She turned a page of the Backstage casting notices.

I’ll think about it. How do you like “The Great Roach Hunt and Other Stories About Annabelle and Thatch”? Or “Annabelle and Thatch: Children’s Stories for Adults?”

I want to approve the copy, you know. And we need to discuss the size of my billing. Talk to my agent.

Maybe I should ask Thatch, I thought. As I turned and walked away from the worktable, she called me back.

What, Missy?

Is there any good role for me in Oh, Calcutta!?

No. Oh, Calcutta? They’re reviving that?

Audra MacDonald’s starring in a revival. Is there a role for me?

No, Missy. Seriously.

I turned away and went in search of Thatch. I found him lying in the window.

Thatch, I asked him, are you relaxing in the sun?

Sorta.

Where’s Stella?

Under the bed. She’s lost her tambourine. I think Annabelle has hidden it. She hates it, you know.

Oh, God, I thought, more tsuiris. Instead, I said, Well, if she doesn’t find it, I’ll order Annabelle to return it to her. Are you watching the hurly burly on 82nd Street?

Not really. I’m waiting for the pigeons.

Well, they’ll fly by when they’ve finished begging in Central Park, so . . . I need your help.

About what?

A title for my book.

The stories about Annabelle and me?

Yes! Any ideas?

What about “The Gospel According to Annabelle?”

Be nice, Thatch Cat!

Do you have a title you like?

I do. “Annabelle and Thatch.”

Then you don’t need my help. Go with it.

©2024, Larry Moore