How do the author’s word choices affect the story? As the Khalidis’ car pulled away from the house, loaded with the last of their
possessions, Rashi peered out the window, hoping for a glimpse of sleek black fur, but
instead he saw the Hudsons’ moving van pull into the driveway.
“I know Vader’s going to show up as soon as we’re gone, and he’ll freak out,”
Rashi said.
“Naw,” replied his older brother, Akil, “he’ll find the food on the back porch, and
then the new owners will see him and call us.”
“And we’re moving to a different street, not a different state,” added their mom.
“When we walked to the new house last week, it took only about 15 minutes,
remember? You can walk back and look for Vader this afternoon.”
As he carried book-laden boxes into their new home, Rashi furrowed his brow.
He didn’t trust those Hudsons—especially their daughter, Tess. Before her family had
bought the Khalidis’ house, she’d told Rashi she was “desperate” to get a cat.
“The Hudsons could be cat burglars!” Rashi shouted across the yard to his
brother.
“No, Rashi!” yelled his brother. “Cat burglars don’t take cats—they climb through
windows to steal jewels or something!”
Just then, Rashi saw a lithe shadow dart across the street. Wait—that was no
shadow. It was Vader! The cat rushed over to Rashi’s feet. Tess Hudson was close
behind.
Rashi picked up Vader, who was purring like a motor. “Smart cat, how’d you
know where to go?”
“If you’ve walked here before, he probably followed you,” Tess reasoned, “and
then today he remembered the way. I followed him to make sure he was safe.”
“Thanks,” Rashi said.
“No, the truth is, I was chasing him because I’m a cat burglar, as you know.”
Then, much to Rashi’s relief, Tess smirked.