"Movin' In!": Book # 2 in the "Movin" Series

By Jerry S. Hutter and Diane Carder

Cianan and Samantha Jones move to a new home with their family and run into their old best friend and hero, the dog Ferral! Suddenly, a little cute puppy approaches them! Apparently he is running away from a neglectful home life, and the group decides they have to help him.. Along with their cousin Josie, they all team up to find KoKo a new home! But in the interim, Ferral finds more strays and hides them all in an old abandoned building. Pretty soon he suggests opening up a pet shop for his rescues with the kids helping take care of the animals and finding them homes! Problems soon arise, not the least being that their parents don’t know anything about the pet shop! And who’s running this place, anyway?? Their old friends, the mice and rats are involved, too. As problems get worse - will the shop have to close? See who saves the day!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664160422

Jerry S. Hutter

Jerry Hutter loves children, animals, & old people, a group in which she finds herself belonging now.. She enjoys imagining stories about animals & has an extensive stuffed animal collection. She is an RN, still working into her 43rd year. She enjoys swimming laps (40most days) , beaches, & hiking in the woods with her dogs and family. Other hobbies are attending live plays, photography of family, friends & pets, & swing & freestyle dancing to live bands. She is an almost lifelong resident of St.Louis, & counts herself as one of the staunchest Cardinals fans! Jerry belongs to the Mo. Pageant Alumni Club, which sponsors the yearly Ms. Senior Missouri pageant. This group of 60-year-old-plus talented ladies entertain at nursing homes and other venues, and donate their funds to charities. She has 3 grown children, 5 grandchildren, & 1 great-grandaughter, who bring her a lot of joy!

Book preview

Movin’ In!

Book # 2 in the Movin Series

Jerry S. Hutter

Copyright © 2021 by Jerry S. Hutter.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 03/04/2021

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

826333

Contents

Dedication

1. The Last Supper.

2. Movin’ Out!

3. Movin’ In!

4. Auld Lang Syne!

5. Make New Friends and Keep the Old

6. Trouble and More Trouble!!

7. KoKo’s New Home??

8. Executing the plan!

9. The Plot Thickens!

10. The Best-Laid Plans…of Kids and Dogs!!

11. The Calm Before–and then–THE STORM!!!

12. New Days Ahead!

13. We are family!

14. Of Mice and…More Mice!

15. Meanwhile, Back at the Garage…

16. Cleanliness is next to Dogliness…

17. Rats and their Artistic Proclivities.

18. Which is the way to Babyland?

19. If You Clean it, They Will Come…

20. The Good, the Bad, and the Scary!

21. Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures!

22. Which is the way to Babyland, too (two)?

23. Secrets Unveiled.

24. The Pet Shop Boys…and Girls!

25. Long Distance Calling!

26. A day in the Life of a Dog….and Cat!

27. Movin’ Out-and In!

28. The Best Laid Plans of Dogs and Kids, II!

29. You Have Nothing to Fear but ...Closure??

30. See You in Court!

31. Grander Opening!

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my family of origin-my father Roy Eugene Baity, my Mother Edna Irene Dyer Baity, my brother Roy Eugene Baity, Jr. and my sister, Billy Jean Baity Koskie.

As my son happily declared once coming home from a friend’s house-Mom! We’re not the only weird family!

Thanks for everything you taught me.

And for being the wonderful, unique people that you were.

And for letting me join in.

Editing by Shirley Wolverson.

Chapter 1

The Last Supper.

Grandma, Debbie, Doug, Cianan, and Samantha all sat down to eat dinner on Sunday evening, at the end of summer. It was the Jones’ last supper while living in Grandma’s house; the family was moving to their new home in the morning. They were very excited! The kids were a bit concerned, mostly about their mouse friends, but they would be in the same school with their old friends in a couple of weeks, so they were excited about that! Of course, they had seen the new house; but they weren’t sure how things would work out with Melanie and Ezra, their mice friends who had stowed away in Samantha’s backpack when they moved away from their old house. They had needed to move because Debbie Jones, their Mom, could not stand the mice! But Cianan and Samantha knew one thing-they would find a way to keep their mice friends safe and undetected in their new house. Somehow!! They were determined to find a way!

Yum—my favorite! Roast beef and mashed potatoes! Grandma, you’re such a good cook! I’ll miss your home-cooked meals! exclaimed Samantha excitedly!

Me, too! said Cianan. I will, however, be glad to get back to more pizza, on the other hand.

Cianan, really! their Mom said in a slightly exasperated voice. We don’t have pizza all the time! I cook, too! Mom said. She sniffed as if her feelings were slightly hurt at the insinuation that her own mother, Grandma, cooked better than she does.

"Oh, Mom, don’t take it so personally! I can’t help it if I love pizza! But Grandma, this is ALMOST as good as pizza, and that’s the highest compliment I can come up with for anybody’s cooking!" Cianan said, smiling as he savored the flavors.

Everybody laughed, because that was true! Every morsel put into Cianan’s mouth got compared to the taste of pizza.

Well, remember to pack up all, and I mean ALL, your personal items tonight. The movers are coming for the boxes and the furniture tomorrow. Everything in boxes will be picked up by the movers, so anything not packed up that’s yours, you will have to carry, Mom explained.

Yeah, and we don’t want to make more than say, 50 trips between Grandma’s and our new house. Are you kids excited? Dad asked, smiling.

Yes. Yes! Cianan and Samantha said simultaneously, Cianan with his mouth full. A tiny bit of mashed potato leaked out as he was talking.

Don’t talk with your mouth full, please, Cianan, Mom mildly scolded.

I was just trying to answer in a timely fashion, Cianan explained, quoting a line oft-used by adults.

Samantha wiped her mouth with her napkin, then placed it back down on her lap, to cover up…. Melanie! Melanie the mouse was eating a small chunk of cheddar cheese on Samantha’s lap. It was so delicious! Melanie thought it was about the best cheddar cheese she had ever had! She was in cheese heaven!

On Cianan’s lap, his napkin covered up Ezra. Ezra was Melanie’s husband. You may recall they had just gotten married not long before the Jones’ moved out and came to live with Grandma to get away from the mice that Debbie Jones hated! Or at least, she THOUGHT she hated them.

Ezra, the mouse on Cianan’s lap, was munching on a chunk of Swiss. Mmmm…his fave! He licked his whiskers and continued to chew ravenously. You never know when the whole get-up will be spoiled and they may have to make a run for it, despite the kids’ best efforts. He had to give Cianan and Samantha credit-they did a masterful job of keeping them hidden all summer long at Grandma’s. There were a few close calls, like when Debbie came downstairs to do the laundry and he and Melanie had been sleeping in the laundry basket. They hid in the folds of the top blanket, but Debbie picked up the top blanket to shake it out. The 2 mice fell onto the next blanket, then burrowed quickly down though the blankets to the bottom of the basket, where they escaped through the holes in the basket. Whew! Close call! Then they ran and hid behind the dryer until she left.

Another time, Debbie was cleaning Cianan’s room, and opened the closet door to throw his tennis shoes in. Melanie and Ezra were in the back of the closet, just sitting and talking in their living room area Cianan had arranged for them. Suddenly, here comes flying tennis shoes! They ducked and hid behind his boots quickly, the flying shoes just missing their heads! Whew! Another close one!

The most horrifying time was when Melanie and Ezra had been in the pantry searching for crumbs of food to eat. It had been a pretty good day for food gathering. Melanie had some cheerios, they had a few crackers, and Ezra had a small container of peanut butter. They were just getting ready to carry the stuff out of the pantry, when Debbie opened the door to look for some stuff to make for dinner. OMG! They literally hid behind the cracker box and smashed their mouse bodies against the pantry wall. Fortunately, Debbie was in a big hurry and didn’t seem to notice, although she moved several cans and boxes looking for a box of lasagna noodles. It felt like an hour although it was only a minute. Whew again!!! Then Melanie had to wash her fur extra that night because she got so much salt in it from the crackers!

Well, want some dessert? Grandma asked, smiling.

Sure! What do you have? asked Cianan.

For tonight, our last dinner in this house with you living here, I got a turtle cheesecake! Grandma smiled proudly.

Oh, my heavens, NO! yelled Samantha. "I’m not eating a turtle! I LOVE turtles! Grandma, how could you buy something like that?!? And don’t EVEN tell me you MADE it yourself!"

"EWWWWW," Cianan crinkled up his nose in distaste while making a weird, disgusted face.

Everybody laughed.

"No turtles were harmed in the making of this cheesecake! No, kids, it’s got caramel, chocolate and pecans, you know, like the turtle candy that LOOKS sort of like a turtle, not made of one," Grandma laughed.

Whew! the kids said together. Mom and Dad were still laughing.

Yeah, I’d like a piece! Samantha said, as she took another cube of cheese from the appetizer tray.

Me, too. Sounds delish! Cianan said, as he, too, took another cube of swiss cheese from the tray.

You kids seem to really like cheese nowadays. I don’t recall you liking cheese that much at our old place, their Mom observed, sounding a bit puzzled.

Yeah, why the sudden love of cheese? Dad asked.

Because it’s so good! And good for you, too! Samantha answered cheerfully.

Yeah, it reminds me of pizza! Cianan chimed in. Since Mom and Dad were staring at them intently, they had to eat those chunks they just picked up.

Well, I’ll help clear the table, Mom said, and got up and began picking up the dirty dinner dishes.

I’m getting the newspaper, Dad said. As they both got up, the kids each grabbed another piece of cheese for their mice, and carried them, hidden in their napkins to a little hole in the wall behind the hutch.

Better go now. They’ll have us doing the dishes or something probably, the kids said, as they placed Melanie and Ezra on the floor behind the hutch, each with their respective cubes of cheese.

And don’t forget to pack! Samantha whispered loudly to both mice.

Just then Mom came back into the room to get more dishes and drop off Cianan’s and Samantha’s desserts. Cianan and Samantha stood up rapidly.

What did you say, Samantha? she asked absently.

I was just reminding Cianan to pack, she said. Cianan and Samantha looked at each other, and Cianan said,

Oh, yeah. Pack. Right. Got a lot to do. He began walking towards the stairs to go to his room, but Mom called to him.

Hey. Here’s your cheesecakes!

Cianan laughed.

Oh, yeah. Almost forgot. I’m so excited about moving to our new house tomorrow!

Mom sat down across from them and smiled.

I hope you both like it there. You will still be in the same school and have your same friends. And the best part of all? Mom asked.

What’s that?, asked Samantha, as she savored the exquisitely lovely, creamy cheesecake which was melting sweetly in her mouth.

Dad came up behind mom right then. They both said, "NO MICE!" at the same time.

Cianan and Samantha tried to keep a small smile on their faces as they were chewing. They tried NOT to spit any out, which was their first reaction!

What’s the matter? Don’t you like the cheesecake? Dad asked, noting a rather pained look on Samantha’s face.

Dad, we’re trying to chew right now. This thing’s got pecans in it—we don’t want to choke, you know, she mumbled after swallowing a big glob of cheesecake.

Dad appeared momentarily confused, then said, Oh, right, gotcha! He then sat down at the table and began to read his newspaper. Cianan and Samantha looked at each other, and giggled almost imperceptibly, winked, and surreptitiously looked over at the hole besides the hutch. There was Melanie and Ezra waving back at them from inside the hole, holding their little cubes of cheese and smiling.

Things were going to be awesome at the new house!

Chapter 2

Movin’ Out!

The next day the movers came and worked all day, picking up the many boxes of the family’s clothes, pots and pans, furniture, household items, washer and dryer, etc. The kids packed up their personal items, toys, books, school supplies, etc. in bags and boxes and carried them on several trips between Grandma’s and their new house. They lived only about 2 miles away, so they could walk to Grandma’s if they had to. It was a lot of work! And then having to unpack and start to put everything away in their new rooms! Tiring for 2 kids who mostly played, watched TV, and did computer games after school.

They were going to transport Ezra and Melanie in a shoebox with Cianan’s school tennis shoes, but the mice weren’t happy —

I can’t stand the smell! Melanie complained.

Oh, gosh, it’s not that bad! said Ezra.

But Ezra, honey, I’m extra sensitive to smells right now. A slight off-smell makes me feel quite ill. Sometimes I even throw up!

Oh, really? I’m sorry, I hadn’t noticed! I wonder why that is! Ezra said, and looked thoughtful like he was truly wondering how this could happen.

Because, Ezra, we’re going to have some babies! Melanie announced. They were sitting on the floor of the kids’ room, awaiting to be transported surreptitiously to their new home.

Oh, my gosh! I think I’m going to faint!!! Oh, how exciting! You’re going to have a Dad! I mean, I’m going to be a baby! …I mean… Ezra began to smile really big and look silly and dizzy.

I’ve got to sit down! He suddenly realized he was getting lightheaded!

Melanie, why didn’t you tell me! He was happy, though, and pulled her over for a brief kiss.

OH, Ezra, you are so silly! I just found out this morning! Remember, I had an appointment with Dr. Picklefoot and he ran a test and he just came by an hour ago to let me know! Melanie was so happy and giddy she could hardly stop laughing at Ezra’s shocked face.

Melanie, how awesome!! Uh, but wait… Ezra suddenly hesitated and looked serious.

You said b-a-b-i-e-s…plural. Like how many are we talking about here?"

Ezra, I don’t know, dear. The usual litter is 6, but the doctor says I came from a big family so we may have 7–or 8–or maybe even 9! She squealed with delight, clapped her hands, jumped up and down, then kissed Ezra.

Ezra’s eyes just about popped out of his head.

NINE??? Melanie, that’s entirely too many, honey! I have enough trouble just getting food for you and me, let alone for a small army! Try to have only 6, okay?? I mean, I’ll love them all, but…. He looked anxious and gulped… try to have only 6, okay, Melanie?? Or even 4. Four’s a VERY good number! He sounded a little pleading, but he was excited, too, and smiled euphorically. Even two— he looked up dreamily.

Melanie again laughed. Her laughter sounded like little tinkling sounds and was so cute! At that moment, Samantha and Cianan entered the room and heard her.

Melanie, what’s so funny? Ezra, are you telling your corny jokes again?

No, Samantha, I just finished telling Ezra we are expecting babies!!! and he told me to try and have only 4! Melanie giggled and then Samantha, too, burst into peals of laughter.

Ezra, don’t you understand anything about the physiology of a woman’s body?? A woman can’t decide that! You get what you get! The mechanism is in order-the babies will be born-however many of them there are!

Yes, Melanie said seriously, whatever God gives is what we’ll thankfully take.

Oh, yeah, as I said, I’ll love them all. I hope they don’t eat a lot! And Samantha, we’ll need a bigger place at the new house! Ezra stated seriously. He was a most responsible mouse. He was starting to freak out a bit at the thought of all this new responsibility.

Don’t worry, Ezra and Melanie. Cianan and I will scout out a very good protected place for you and the new kids! Wow! This is so exciting! We have a bigger house with more room, so it shouldn’t be any problem!

Samantha was thrilled! It was almost like becoming an aunt!! At her tender age, she thought-an aunt!! She sighed happily at the thought of all the cute little mice babies running around! What will they look like? What will their names be? How many boys and how many girls? What kinds of games can I teach them? So much to think about!

Goody! Oh, I’m so happy and excited! Melanie jumped up and down, kissed Ezra on the cheek, and then grabbed her tummy.

Oh, maybe I shouldn’t jump so much.! Don’t want to shake them up too much!

Yeah, all that jumping might cause them to break up and make more babies. Please keep it down! Ezra said almost sternly. They all laughed happily at the thought of the new little mouse family.

Melanie gazed dreamily into Ezra’s blue mouse eyes.

I hope all the boys look just like you, my hero! she said softly and romantically. Ezra smiled at her.

And I hope all the girls, however many of them there are…. he hesitated and looked scared again for a second, then smiled sweetly at his lovely mouse wife-

and I hope all the girls look just like their beautiful Mother. Cianan and Samantha smiled, and they all looked at each other happily.

This is going to be fun! Samantha said. I feel like I’m an aunt or a godmother already!

Cianan looked at the clock.

Come on, let’s get going. I think this is Dad’s last trip. Hey, Melanie and Ezra, get in this box. It smells a lot better than the tennis shoe box. He had procured a cracker box that was empty and had been thrown onto the top of the recyclables but was perfectly clean.

Hop in. I put some washcloths in there for you to sit on so it would be soft.

Thanks, Cianan. You’re always thinking of us! We love you both so much! Melanie came up to kiss Cianan’s hand, and Ezra stepped forward to shake Samantha’s hand. Then they heard Dad call on the other side of the door.

We’re going now. Last trip. You kids got everything?

Cianan quickly picked up Ezra and Melanie and placed them gently in the cracker box on the washcloths and closed the lid.

Yup, Dad, just about…. He grabbed his last 2 bags with one hand and held the cracker box with his right hand.

Come on, Samantha, time to load up! Get your stuff.

Gotcha! Samantha ran into her room and grabbed her bags and took one last look around, sighing.

I’ll miss you, old room! We’ve had some good times together! But I’m ready for new adventures at our new place! she said, to herself, really, and anyone else who happened to be listening.

Who knew what adventures might be in store for them?

Chapter 3

Movin’ In!

It was a mess at the new house! There were boxes, boxes, and more boxes everywhere! Furniture in a big, jumbled mess, bags also scattered in various rooms. The kids loved their new rooms! They were on the second floor with bigger rooms and MUCH bigger closets!

These closets are perfect! Samantha exclaimed to Cianan as they checked their rooms out, every inch, before the furniture got carried in.

Yeah, said Cianan. I’ve got so much room, I’m sure we can fit all the mice in my closet. I just need to put something in front of them, so Mom and Dad won’t find them.

He thought for a minute!

I’ve got it! I’ve got that little shelf for shoes, it’s like 2 small steps, you can sit about 10 pairs of shoes on it. I’ll put that near the back, and it will provide a shelter for the mice to live behind! It will look like it’s at the back, but it won’t be! Mom and Dad will never know! Cianan was excited!

Yeah, well, make sure you make it look like the back of the closet. We can’t take any chances. It should do fine, though, until we find them somewhere better, after we’ve explored the house more. Samantha agreed.

The next few days were filled with too much work! Furniture moving, being put into place. Beds being resurrected in the rooms, dressers set up, and the horrid task of putting underwear, clothes, books, and toys away in their rooms. Mom and Dad were working constantly, too! It seemed like it would never end!

Thankfully, we got pizza twice in 3 days-that part was awesome! Cianan exclaimed. He was happy about that!

True to his word, Cianan put the little 2-step shelf on the floor near the back of his closet. Melanie and Ezra had a good two square feet of space to themselves. Samantha donated her favorite old blanket for them to sit on. And a small box for them to use as a bedroom.

It looks awesome! Thank you both so much! Ezra and Melanie were proud of their new home! It was also comfy and roomy…at least until the kids