Angel’s mom got a serious look on her face and said, “Maybe I’ll ask the principal to put her into your class since you boys are the only children she’ll know in the school.”
“Great,” said Philip.
Philip and Emery stayed until Angel’s mother said it was time for them to leave. Angel invited them back anytime they wanted to see the cats, and Philip said he and Emery would visit often.
Walking down the street toward Philip’s house, Emery said, “Why did you say we’d visit so much? I don’t want to go visit her all the time.”
“Make believe you’re visiting the cats.”
“I have a dog. I don’t need to visit any cats. And now she’s going to be in our class at school. We already have more girls than boys.”
“Don’t worry. School’s way off. And we can play at her house sometimes instead of your house or mine.”
“Play at a girl’s house?” Emery moaned. “What? Like play house and dolls and stuff?”
“Emery, she’s okay.”
“Yeah, but she’s a girl.”
Philip laughed. For the first time since he’d seen Emery walking his new dog, he felt happy. He didn’t have a dog of his own, but he didn’t care. He didn’t have any cats, but he didn’t care. He probably would never have a pet in his life, but he didn’t care. He didn’t know why, but he felt happy.
“I know she’s a girl, Emery, but she’s not a regular girl. She’s an Angel.”
Emery looked at Philip as if Philip had flipped his lid.
“Come on,” said Philip, breaking into a run. “Let’s get our bikes and go to the park.”
Emery ran, too, but he couldn’t keep up with Philip. Not on a day like this.
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Paulits is a former teacher in New York City. He has published five other children’s novels, four about Philip and Emery, as well as two adult science fiction novels, HOBSON’S PLANET and BECKONING ETERNITY. His previous Gyspy Shadow book, PHILIP AND THE SUPERSTITION KID, was voted best children’s novel of 2010 in the Preditors and Editors readers poll.
Learn more about John here:
Website: http://www.johnpaulits.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=750790110
Philip and the Angel (9781452416144) Page 5
