#6 Bustopher Jones

"Ah, Bustopher," Jennyanydots sighed excitedly, gazing at the portly cat from across the junkyard. "Jelly, do you see who's here?" she called to her sister, who quickly scurried to her side.

"Oh, old Bustopher Jones, is it?" Jellylorum asked as Jenny pointed across the yard. She laughed at the starry look in her sister's eyes. "Jennyanydots, you still think he's wonderful? After what he did to the kittens?"

"Yes," she sighed, "I mean... what?"

"Mistofelees and Victoria. I don't blame him, he was heartbroken when Mira died, but he just left them here!"

"He brought them to the place where he knew they'd be safe." Jenny replied. She sighed again, unable to take her eyes off of the biggest and smartest tom of all.

"He never comes to the Jellicle Ball," Jellylorum reminded Jenny. "He always spends the night at Blimp's."

"You're right," Jenny said, finally coming to her senses. "Why is he here?" She looked around. "And where is Mistofelees? Victoria couldn't care less about her father, as long as she can dance. But Misto wonders why he left... I wonder where our little magician went."

"Check his pipe," Jellylorum replied. Jenny smiled her thanks, and set off in search of the magical little cat. She found him exactly where Jellylorum thought he'd be, crying in his sewage pipe.

"Misto," Jenny whispered, climbing into the pipe. The tiny black tom tried to wipe his tears, but they kept flowing. "Come, my dear." She wrapped her arms around him as he tried to stop sobbing.

"Why did he leave me here? Why is he back? He left us alone for so long," he cried. His attempts at staying strong failed with every tear that slipped down his white face.

"I don't know, my dear," Jenny whispered. "Perhaps he wants to make amends now."

"Do you think? Maybe I can use my magic to make him sorry!"

Jennyanydots laughed. "I don't know about that, but something could be done..." she grinned. "I have an idea. Just follow my lead."

She left the tube and went to the cats who were playing and singing. "Did you see who's here?" she asked the drummer cat, Aristophanes. He shook his head."Bustopher Jones! Here, play something fun, I want to sing to him," she said excitedly. The other cats rolled thier eyes, knowing how obsessed Jennyanydots was with "BJ" as she over-affectionately called the cat about town.

They struck up a rousing chorus, and she began to sing praises to the Brummel of cats. "Bustopher Jones is not skin and bones..."

"In fact, he's remarkably FAT!" Bombalurina added, and Jenny laughed. It seemed like the whole tribe was joining in the attempts to reunite Mistofelees and his father. Soon enough, Jenny caught Misto out of the corner of her eyes, gently rubbing his father's tail. Bustopher turned around and a light of recognition came into his eyes. Misto ducked out of his gaze, but he smiled for just a moment. Father.

Jennyanydots finished her song, as Bustopher plucked his boutenniere and gave it too her. She swooned, but not before she saw Bustopher give Mistofellees a hard pat on the back and an invitation to Hoxes'. All was well.