The Cats in the Doll Shop by Yona Zeldis McDonough

Author:Yona Zeldis McDonough
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2011-08-18T04:00:00+00:00

At first, Tania just stares. But after a moment, she reaches out to touch Shannon’s hair and then her face.

“Go on,” I say. “She’s yours now. You can take her.” I am so glad to see Tania show some interest in something. I know she doesn’t understand my words, but I hope that the sound of my voice will make my meaning clear. And it seems to work. She reaches for the doll.

“You made her?” Sophie says as she watches Tania with Shannon. “Is that what you were up to all day yesterday?”

I nod, watching Tania with the doll. She must like her if she’s holding her so tightly, right? And yet she doesn’t smile. Instead, she has a sad, almost desperate look on her face. And she is holding the doll as if she expects someone to take it away from her.

“She’s darling!” exclaims Trudie. “I love her little satchel. Does it open?” Trudie doesn’t seem to notice Tania’s odd reaction.

“It does,” I say to Trudie. But my eyes remain on Tania, who presses her face against Shannon’s hair. Tania’s lips quiver, and from her closed eyes, I see tears slowly begin to trickle down her face.

“Tania’s crying,” Trudie says, staring at our cousin.

“Maybe she’s tired. Or homesick,” Sophie says. She seems puzzled, too.

“Maybe,” I say. But somehow I don’t think that’s the reason. Or not all of it anyway. No, I think Tania is crying because she can’t believe the doll is really hers. Maybe she is not used to receiving something so nice.

“Should we tell Mama?” Trudie asks. Sophie and I look at each other, trying to decide. It turns out we don’t have to. With a very loud sniff, Tania dries her tears on her sleeve and stops crying. Then she turns to go into the kitchen, still holding Shannon as if she will never let her go.

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