The Conversation…

“You were with other cats today.  I can smell them on you,” he said, sniffing her arm.

“I was visiting someone who had cats.”

“And?”

“And what?”

“You were petting them.”

“I was.”

“How did that make you feel?”

“What do you mean?”

“Was it like petting me.  Or Jinx?”

“How could it be?  You’re different cats.  I was just petting them.”

“How many cats?”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“I just want to know how loyal you are?”

“Excuse me?”

“I mean if you go around petting everyone you see,  then how does that make any of us special?”

“I didn’t know cat’s wanted to feel special.”

“Actually,” he said, “it’s more of an ownership kind of thing.  You belong to us and I just don’t want other cats to think you’re available.”

“What, in all the furry paws and tails, are you talking about?”

“This food is good,” he said.  “Get more of it.”

“Yes, your majesty.”

He flicked his tail.  “People used to worship us as gods, you know.”

“Yes, I know.”

“We’re still gods.  People just got too self involved to think of anyone but themselves.  Life was better when they knew who was important.”

“You’re jealous.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he said, looking away.

“You are.”

“Am not.”

“I love you,” she said.

“Did you tell the new cats that as well?”

She swallowed a smile and ran her hand down his back.  “I could never love anyone the way I love you.”

He turned his back on her.

“Hey Jinx,” she said.  “Haven’t seen you for awhile.”

Jinx rubbed against her legs.

“Tell Jinx what you did.”

“I didn’t DO anything.”

“She petted other cats at someone’s house,” he said.

“Did you?” asked Jinx, staring at her.

“I did.  The women I was visiting, save feral cats.”

“That’s wonderful,” he said, but do you love them too?  I mean it’s okay if you do, but I think we should know.”

“I love all cats as a species, okay.  But you and your gang live in my heart.”

“Good enough for me,” said Jinx, “and thank you for the food and treats.”

“You’re always welcome.  I’m glad you stayed over last night.  I enjoyed having you sleep on my pillow.”

“I liked it too,” he purred.  “Gotta run.  See you tomorrow.”

She scratched his face and watched him dash away.  “How long are you going to pout?”

“Cats don’t pout.  Ever.”

“Then you’re the first one to do it.”

He turned around.  “Are you going to see them again?”

“Probably not.”

“Do they have a good home?”

“The best.”

“I’m happy for them,” he said.  “I wish more cat’s had good homes.”

She threw her arms around him and kissed him allover his face and shoulders.”

“Get off of me,” he hissed.  “Too much, too much.”

“Well, you wanted love and that’s the way I love you.”

“Fine, but not all at once.  I’d hate to rip your face off.”

She laughed.  “You wouldn’t do that.”

“Probably not,” he admitted.

“You can stay at my place as long as you want.  You can live there, you know that.  So can Jinx and any of the cats who want to move in.”

“I do know that.  We all do.”

“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, grabbing her tote bag, kissing him one more time.  “Love you.”

“Whatever,” he said, curling into a ball.  “We could use more blankets.”

“I’ll bring them tomorrow.”

And then he fell into a dream.