Category: Stories

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Down and Out

Cat on bed

I suppose I was staring at nothing. There I was lying in bed, my back against the headboard, just looking forward into the room, though at nothing in particular. There’s been a lot on my mind this past year. My thoughts have not always been negative, yet often they’ve been heavy.

Cats seem to know these moments; the battles that rage in my soul, their eyes seem to recognize my conflicts. Sophia jumped up on the bed and visited me during this particular one.

Sophia: “So, what are you thinking about?”

Me: “Not much.”

Sophia: “Not much has got you down? I had you pegged as someone tougher than that.”

I cracked a smile.

Me: “Well if you must know, I was thinking about myself, who I am, and who I want to be in the future.”

Sophia: “Oh, that doesn’t sound that bad. So why were you frowning?”

Me: “I’m getting older Sophia, my face just does that.”

Sophia: “Ooohhhhh, Righhhht, Sorrrrry. Yeah well, on a positive note, as a kind person (especially towards cats,) you’re in the good grace of the God of Cats! So you sir can count yourself blessed. It is known, that your future will always be bright and awesome! …just as long as you don’t change who you are.”

Me: “Huh?”

Sophia: “SERIOUSLY??? Why is it that humans never see what is directly in front of them??? YOU ARE ALREADY BLESSED!!! THE GOD OF CATS HAS BLESSED YOU!!!”

Me: “How so?”

Sophia (rolling her eyes): “I know you’re a little off your game today, so I’m going to let that one slide. THE GOD OF CATS HAS BLESSED YOU WITH AWESOME CATS!!! In fact, ALL CATS, and all pets for that matter, ARE AWESOME. However not all humans can see that, not all humans are blessed. Many, many, many humans cannot. Does this make any sense to you???”

And, in the very deepest of my thoughts, it did.

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The Party

Cat named Tippi poking head out of basket

I always love looking at the books people have on their shelves when I visit their homes. Not just the books themselves, but also their condition. For instance, the unwanted book that was given as a Christmas gift won’t show the wear of the book that really spoke to its reader. Yet each in their own way speak to the taste of the host, and I’ve also found, a measure of who the host is as a person.

I mention this because the other night I was at a party in this elaborate house. The house was way larger and nicer than mine. To give you an idea of the disparity in size, the house I was visiting had a room called a “Ball Room” and another called “The Formal Dining Room.” Needless to say, this event was black tie.

My date was off making the social rounds. So alone, I pleasantly concluded a couple small conversations and retreated into another room, the “Personal Library.” To my relief, the library was empty of guests, and so I began looking at the books. THAT’S WHEN I HEARD IT:

“Meow”

OMG I didn’t realize the host had a cat.

“Meow”

This is so cool, I wondered where the cat was.

“Meow”

Looking around the room, there was no cat to be seen. It was so clear though, it must have been hiding close by.

“Meow”

In my tux, I hit the floor and looked under the couch.

“Meow”

It wasn’t there. I wondered if maybe it ran into the next room. So I walked in there and…

“Meow”

NO CAT!!!

“Meow”

WHAT THE HECK!!!

“Meow”

Wait. Hang on…

“Meow”

The cat’s meows didn’t change volume…like ever. It was always the same:

“Meow”

Which was no further away in this room than it was in the library. And no matter where I walked in either room the volume didn’t change. It was just the same…

“Meow”

And with that my mind began to realize what was happening. The walls and floor dissolved around me, leaving me in a void of darkness. My eyes fluttered a little, and then finally I opened them.

Tippi stared down at me.

Tippi: “Meow”