Mr. R.U. Fémos agreed to meet Annabelle, Thatch, and me for lunch at Sardi’s. As soon as I got off the phone, Annabelle excitedly raced around the apartment, chasing Thatch and jumping on and off the window sill. Annabelle! Annabelle! Calm down, Missy. My first press agent, she crowed. He’s going to make me a … Continue reading 23. ARE YOU R. U. FÉMOS? →

The phone rang. I picked it up. Hello? Mr. Moore? This is he. Who’s this? This is R. U. Fémos, of the All-About-Me Agency, a public relations firm. I’ve received an email from a Miss Annabelle, who’s asked our firm to handle her PR. Miss Annabelle? My little girl Annabelle? Annabelle jumped onto the table … Continue reading 22. GREAT EXPLOITATIONS →

Annabelle, are you sure you don’t want some of this ham? Thatch asked her. It’s good. It’s too salty for me. I don’t know why Daddy always orders ham and eggs on a roll for breakfast, and never asks what I want! Annabelle, I’m sorry, I said. You’ve had your Fancy Feast and some dry … Continue reading 21. TREASURE ISLAND →

I love these huge windows! Annabelle exclaimed. You must come and see them, Thatch. When? he asked her. Can we go now, Daddy? I looked up from the work on my desk. Will you remember what floor we live on? Of course, Annabelle replied. I’m not stupid. Don’t go outside to the street and behave … Continue reading 20. MISSING →

Annabelle and I made our morning patrol. It was no success: she didn't want to pay calls, she didn't want to patrol, all she wanted to do was lounge like Cleopatra on the steps, on the floor, on the windowsill. I knew giving her that Claudette Colbert DVD set would come back to haunt me. … Continue reading 19. ANNABELLE’S DIET →

Annabelle jumped onto the computer table and opened the new Backstage. Then she sneezed. Then she sneezed again. Again. And again. These sneezing bouts have started up again. They worry me. Annabelle, I said, I think you have to see Dr. Mohr. I’m serious. I am very worried about these sneezing and breathing issues. Thatch … Continue reading 18. THE DENTIST →

It was a very hot morning, just above 90 degrees F, and Thatch lay on the windowsill, wearing an old pair of my sunglasses, soaking up some sun. The glare from the gold facade of Holy Trinity Church was dazzling. I had gotten up from my worktable for a stretch and passed him as I … Continue reading 17. BEDTIME STORY →

My glasses! Where are my glasses, Annabelle? This morning I was crawling around the floor, reaching under the bed, and fighting off panic. Without my glasses, I am not only blind, but I cannot think. I put my glasses on my night table when I go to bed, but lately Annabelle has become fascinated by … Continue reading 16. AND GOOD NIGHT →

Thatch has been sleeping in Auntie Laura’s heated bed with a couple of Ping-Pong balls, his catnip fish, and a crucifix. I hadn’t seen one of those since the babies used them to fight the goblins. While Thatch was playing with the pigeons on the fire escape, I quietly asked Annabelle if she knew what … Continue reading 15. THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE SLAYERS →

These air purifiers have provided much amusement for Annabelle and Thatch. We've been through their re-enactments of "The Queen of Outer Space," "Forbidden Planet," and "Robinson Crusoe on Mars." She’s been humming “The Blue Danube Waltz,” so I’m expecting “2001: A Space Odyssey” any moment When I turn out the lights for bed, their bright … Continue reading 14. THE BIG FIGHT →