The Conversation…
“You look better,” he said.
“Thanks. It’s sunny, flowers are planted, summer is almost here, and I love all of that. Especially the sun.”
“If you like the sun then why do you live here, where it’s always dark?”
“Good question,” she said. “To which I have no answer.”
“That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard. How can you not have an answer?”
“Right to the point, as always,” she sighed, adding more food to his plate. “I saw Jinx on the way over here. I met his new friend. She’s adorable. Fluffy, white and gray. She seems to really care for him.”
“See if she’s still here in two weeks. He likes to play the field, and she was on her way to someplace else when he met her.”
“She wouldn’t tell me her name.”
“She won’t tell anyone her name. Jinx said she doesn’t know what it is. She only knows her true name, the one her mother whispered into her ear at birth. And cats never tell that name. Not ever.”
“Did your mother whisper your true name to you?”
“What did I just say?” he sighed. “All Queens whisper the true names of their kittens into their ears at birth, so yes, my mother whispered my name into my ear. Pay attention.”
“Wow, you’re kind of crabby today.”
“”I’m what?”
“Never mind.”
“I’m never crabby,” he said. “I’m sometimes distracted, or pensive, but never crabby.”
“Whatever you say.”
“Sarcasm will get you no where, grasshopper.”
“Ah, you’ve been watching reruns of that old Kung Fu series.”
“Perhaps.”
“Can cats actually do Kung Fu? I mean you guys just kind of attack and it’s over before it’s begun.”
“It’s the mental state of Kun Fu, that I was interested in.”
“How’s that working for you?” she asked.
“No too well, to tell you the truth. It’s hard to remain calm when I’m awake.”
“For me too.”
“Yes, but you’re a human, I should have more control.”
“Are you saying that you’re better than I am?”
“You didn’t know that?” he asked, his eyes wide. “How could you not know that? I’ve told you enough times. I even encouraged you to get a DNA test to see if you might have some cat genes, which would elevate your status in the world.”
“I see,” she said, frowning. “I would like to argue with you, but I think you’re right.”
“I’m always right. You know that.”
“I do. You tell me constantly.”
“Only because you seem to forget it all the time.”
“I love you.”
“I know.”
“I think you’re beautiful,” she said.
“All cats are beautiful.”
“That’s true.”
“Can I hug you?”
He looked at her, flicked his tail back and forth and said, “Okay, but not for long.”
She hugged him and then kissed him all over his face.
“Are you finished?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said. “At least for now.”
He immediately started grooming. “I don’t know why you have to do that to me.”
“I love you and that’s how I show it.”
“No. You do it because it make YOU feel good, in spite of what it does to me.”
“I guess that’s one way of looking at it.”
“There is no other way to look at it.”
“Fine,” she sighed. “I won’t do it anymore.”
“Excellent.”
“You’ll miss it.”
“Will not.”
“Will too,” she said.
“I’ll still head butt you now and then, just to mark you, so don’t think it’s anything more than that.”
“I won’t. And I won’t pet you either.”
“Good,” he muttered, licking his shoulder.
“Well, see you tonight,” she said, getting up. “I’m going shopping then home.”
“I’m going to take a nap.”
“I figured.”
“Look both ways when you cross the street. We need you, so you can feed us.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“Bye.”
“Aren’t you going to try and pet me?”
“No.”
“Really?”
“No,” she said, and walked away. She felt him staring at her, but she didn’t turn around.
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