Cat

Last month, Louie had happily jumped onto her lap and made himself comfortable, kneading and purring. Cat fingered the threads that her black tomcat had pulled out of the blanket. “Oh, Cariño,” she sighed, thinking of Louie’s crushed body she had found on the side of the road a week ago.

The bushes under which she had buried him shimmered in the moonlight today. A tear rolled down her cheek as she stood up to return into the house. The milk bowl clattered under her foot and spilled its contents over the porch’s floorboards. I really need to break this habit, she thought. She gave the pet flap a push, making it swing back and forth with a squeak. This, I have to oil as well.

The next morning, she groaned when she looked at the clock. Thank God it was Saturday. Louie used to wake her. He had tickled the soles of her feet with his rough tongue. It was like a game. She’d push him away, but he’d return until she gave in and got out of bed.

That was then. Now she shambled into the kitchen, opened a window, put a fresh bowl of milk on the porch and stared absentmindedly into the garden as she poured water into the tea kettle. Sunbeams danced on the leaves of the bushes, bees buzzed, something rustled in the tall grass. The flowers had opened their blossoms and a shadow flitted over the fence.

She carried the breakfast outside on a tray, and tripped over the milk-bowl, causing it to tip over. ‘Didn’t I bring this in last night?’ She thought pushing it aside.

She inhaled the sweet spring air, even smiled a little, and prepared the table. If only she would meet someone who sat here with her.

Her heart sank again at the thought of Louie. She could practically hear his purr. Calm and even, as if he were sitting right behind her. Just the day before yesterday, she’d thought she saw his yellow eyes flashing in the tall grass.

The midday sun shone warmly on her face. She didn’t want to open her eyes just yet. She listened to the garden whirring and chirping. The moments of waking up after a nap were the ultimate pleasure, if it weren’t for this feeling. A strange feeling. Like two burning spots moving up and down her body. As if she was being watched.

She opened her eyelids and blinked in surprise.

“Oh, Cariño, who are you?” The black tomcat, sitting on the porch railing and staring at her, didn’t answer. He tore his gaze away and jumped into the garden, where he disappeared between the bushes.

She still had a can of chicken liver. She dropped it with a soft smack from the can into a bowl and mashed the meat into pulp. She placed that dinner on the porch for the four-pawed visitor. Once more, she looked into the dark garden, before retiring to bed.

Despite the bright moonlight shining into the room, she quickly fell asleep. The sound of the gentle wind had a soothing effect. Even the strangely familiar squeak didn’t bother her.

“Eeew, Cariño, stop it!”

Something wet tickled her foot and pushed her out of a dream. She threw herself onto the other side, grumbling and clinging to the last vestiges of sleep.

She felt the smooth tongue on her foot again. It slowly slid across the heel, over the instep and played with the toes.

“Louie, stop it! It’s early!” She pressed her eyelids shut.

The tongue caressed her ankle, paused briefly, and then trailed down the heel.

“Louie? Cariño?” Cat opened her eyes and sat up, startled. The full moon bathed the room in a silver glow and cast distorted shadows. The man crouched at the foot of the bed shimmered. His black hair reflected the moonlight.

Cat opened her mouth but remained silent in confusion. She pulled the blanket over her chest, exposing her legs. His yellow eyes bored into her soul and a warm familiarity spread through her heart. Why wasn’t she screaming? Why wasn’t she afraid of this strange man, who didn’t feel like a stranger after all.

He ran his tongue along her calves, grabbed her ankles and pulled her back into a lying position. Cat shuddered as he kissed her thigh, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. The little hairs on her stomach stood up and a soft sigh escaped her. She clutched at the sheets as he sent his tongue further. His kiss was deep and passionate. She ran her fingers through his hair and dug her nails into his back. He purred in her ear. Their play stopped when the moon set, and exhaustion dragged Cat to sleep.

A ray of sunlight penetrated the window and woke Cat. The birds were chirping outside and singing about a new sunny day. The steady purring at the foot of the bed gave off a warm coziness.

Cat hesitated for a moment when she saw the animal curled up in her bed. Then she gently patted his head. “Good morning, Cariño. What are we going to call you?”