Just Like Cal by Kenzie Lam {Inklings Book Contest 2022 Finalist}

Today we are featuring Inklings Book Contest 2022 finalist Kenzie Lam. Kenzie finished 4th grade this past school year and wrote a story called “Just Like Cal.” Kenzie remarked that her favorite element of her story is “the plot because it’s happy and sad in some parts, and at some points, it uncovers bits and pieces of the characters’ backgrounds.” Enjoy!

 

Pepper, a housecat, has been kicked out by her owners, who’ve had enough of her. Willow, an eleven-year-old girl, enjoys spending time in her backyard. One day, their lives unexpectedly intertwine when Willow finds Pepper’s ripped collar and learns Pepper’s true story. 

Then Willow’s life takes another unexpected turn. She meets Lily, one of Pepper’s owners, who admits that she and her family are starting to miss Pepper. Upon hearing that Lily’s family is adopting a new cat from a nearby shelter, Willow brings Pepper to the shelter, knowing that Lily will cross paths with her old cat once more. Willow feels the nostalgic memories of saying goodbye to Cal, her old family cat, but she knows it’s the right thing to do for both Pepper and Lily. 

One morning, she gets a call from Lily saying Pepper is back with the family. Just when she thinks her day can’t get any better, she discovers that her parents secretly bought her a new cat that is just like her beloved friend Cal.

 

1.

LOST AND FOUND

PEPPER:

I trust

Willow

a bit.

 

She reaches into the bush 

and gently holds my body.

I don’t struggle.

 

I let her 

pick me up out of the bush

and cradle me 

in her arms.

I still feel 

 

Lacking a home and safety

Overwhelmed by the sudden change in my life

Scared that I’ll be rejected again 

Troubled by all the bad thoughts swirling in my mind

 

but at the same time, I’m

 

Fortunate to have this girl that cares about me 

Overjoyed to finally be loved

Uplifted by the thought that I won’t always be surrounded by tension and anger 

Nervous yet happy to start a better life with this girl’s family

Delighted that I’ll be safe.

 

I’m lost and found.

 

2.

HOLE

WILLOW:

Another cat is gone. 

I’m sad and angry

 

But I keep telling myself

It’s for a good cause and

Pepper will be fine

 

And Lily will find Pepper

again.

 

Once we get home,

I walk into my room

 

and I lie on my bed 

until dinner. 

 

During dinner,

I play with my food.

 

My parents 

keep repeating,

 

I know it’s hard, 

but it’s for a good reason. 

It is going to help Pepper.

 

I know, but something in me 

tells me that Pepper is 

not fine at all.

 

It feels like a small part of my

heart went with Pepper

and now there is a 

empty hole 

where it was.

 

Just like what

happened with Cal.

But that time, it felt more like

half of my heart was 

ripped out

when he died.