Free The Opposite of Love by Sarah Lynn Scheerger Page B

Since then, she and Chase had made it a point to be super-efficient when they cleaned up at the end of the day, in the hopes that there might be a little extra, uh, free time .
    Like today. Rose swept the entryway of the day care while she waited for the last few kids to be picked up. Becca disinfected the tiny toys. And Chase wiped down the tables. Rose gave him a playful kick in the butt as she passed him. Definitely a squeeze-worthy butt.
    Suddenly her eyes spotted something and she froze. She stared outside the open classroom door. As carefully as if she were walking on a plate of thin glass, she tiptoed outside.
    â€œWhat the … ?”
    â€œShe’s gone loco,” Becca teased loudly. “Crazy in the head.”
    Rose hunched over the ground and held out her palm, face up. A rough pink tongue lapped at it thirstily. Two large almond-shaped eyes stared up at her. Then the kitten nuzzled her knees. Rose scooped it up into her arms. “Look what I found,” she whispered, breathless.
    Becca followed her out, straddling the door frame. “It’s a stray.”
    â€œNo shit, Einstein.” Rose’s retort came slowly, without its normal sting. Instead her voice was filled with wonder. “She’s tiny. And all alone.”
    â€œShe might belong to someone.” Chase peeked over Becca’s shoulder.
    â€œThere’s no tag, and she’s out wandering by herself. She’ll need a warm place to sleep.” Rose stood up and leaned against the stucco outside wall, feeling the rough stubble press against her back. “So … I say she’s mine now.”
    â€œWell, put her somewhere—we’ve still got to finish cleaning, and we have a few more kids here,” Becca urged, still standing in the doorway.
    â€œCan I wear your sweatshirt, Chase?” Rose scarcely took her eyes off the cat, as if she might vanish into midair like some magician’s idea of a cruel joke. Chase tossed the Nike sweatshirt at her, and with it came a wave of his smell. She slipped it over her head, and for a moment, the rugged sweetness engulfed her. It was almost as if his arms were wrapped around her. Rose tucked the bottom of the sweatshirt into her jeans, making a little pocket. She pulled the neck of the sweatshirt out so that she could gently place the kitten inside. “There. You gotta love a baggy sweatshirt. You can hide almost anything. Remember, Becca?”
    Becca groaned. “Don’t remind me. And don’t tell Chase. You’ll corrupt him.”
    â€œHey, is there room in there for me?” Chase asked, pulling out the neck of the sweatshirt to peek in. A soft purring sound drifted up. “So you’re gonna keep the cat? Will your parents care?”
    â€œThey won’t know. I’ll wear your sweatshirt home. I’ll tell them it’s Becca’s.”
    Becca scrunched up her nose. “I don’t get it. Why don’t you just ask them if you can keep the cat? You know Mrs. P. is a sucker for cats.”
    Rose wrapped her arms around her middle protectively. “No way. If they know, it’s one more thing they can take away from me from the next time I commit some mortal sin.” Rose peeked down at the kitten, all curled up. “No,” she said into her sweatshirt, her voice all muffled. “This kitten is my secret.”
    Chase stepped away. “Well, what are you gonna call her?”
    â€œI have the name picked out. Brace yourself for its beauty.” Rose waited. “Nala.”
    â€œNala?” Becca asked, starting to laugh. “Like from The Lion King ?” She shook her head. “Shit, Rose. You’re a Disney addict. You need serious help.”
    Rose glanced at the clock, and then stuck her head out the front door. “I do need help. The warden is coming, and I’ve got to sneak Nala home without her making a noise.”
    Rose stayed another five minutes while the last few kids were