Theck

Just when you think Max has run out of ways to be bad, he thinks up a new one. And this one is very clever because it is entirely self-contained; that is, there's nothing to take away from him to make him stop.

Imagine you are fast asleep. But then, there is a distant noise that starts pulling you awake. It isn't a particularly loud noise, but it is particularly annoying. Imagine wet bristles brushing a piece of fabric. *Theck, theck theck* When you are fully awake, you realize that the noise is coming from Max and what he is doing is licking your book cover. You push him off your nightstand, but he is undeterred. He goes over to the waste basket and starts licking the trash bag. You throw a sock at him and he leaves the room long enough for you to start to drift back to sleep. *Theck, theck theck* Now you're really annoyed. You take the trash out to the living room, you stuff all your books and magazines away, you remove anything that might look deliciously lickable. But it's only a matter of time. *Theck, theck theck* He's found your lampshade.

Zoe didn't believe that Max could be bad; she believes he gets a bad rap and that he's really a misunderstood sweetie. I think someone's getting an early Christmas present when I come to visit on Friday.