"Oh, come here." Amy dug deep in the industrial-sized bag of cat food, her fingers curled around the scoop as she pulled it free. "You kids should really think about
getting your own home, you know." Filling one stainless steel dish she moved down the line as an endless trail of furry bodies wrapped themselves around her legs. Finished,
the young woman wiped her hands on her jeans and walked into the living room.
"Bag's almost empty. I'll call Dave and have them send over another bag tomorrow."
The white-haired woman turned her head to one side, her cheek pressing into the hospital-issue pillow. "That'd be good, dear. Make sure it's that special type; healthy
and all."
"I know, mom." Patting the soft skin she pulled a worn blue flannel blanket up over the exposed hand. "You're supposed to stay warm. Keep under this."
"I'm fine." Marion's voice held an underlying strength of iron. "Just don't forget to feed yourself. I think there's some meatloaf in the fridge…"
Amy nodded. "I know. I've already pulled it out to warm up a bit." She paused. "Cecil dug another hole in the garden today. And I haven't seen Toby for days."
"Probably gone off somewhere to die. He was a good old cat." She closed her eyes. "Not such a bad idea."
"Don't start, mom. I'm going to go toss the meatloaf in the microwave and I'll be back." Her mother waved her off, eyes still closed. Shaking her head the young
woman went back into the kitchen.
The microwave beeped a few minutes later, prompting Amy to grab a paper plate from the counter. Sliding the thin slice onto the plate she garnished it with a slice of
tomato and a handful of bagged salad mix. A thimbleful of vinaigrette dressing and a plastic fork and she returned to the living room, taking up her position on the couch
beside the bed.
The television set was set to an all-news channel; the only channel her mother ever watched these days. Picking at the plate Amy took a few halfhearted bites, then
walked back into the kitchen; dumping the remains into the garbage. Her mind wandered back to the conversation in the hospital, only a few weeks ago.
"It's bad." The doctor stood in the hallway. "I can't believe she didn't tell you before…"
"Well, that's her way." Amy shook her head. "I'll worry about that later." She swallowed hard. "How long?"
"Months, weeks… I'm not going to put a date on it." The white-haired man tapped his finger on the clipboard. "I've seen too many people fight this to the end and it
took years. I won't give that to you or to her."
"I want to take her home."
"We can arrange that." He nodded. "It'll take a bit of doing, but we can arrange it." Peering over the top of his glasses he continued. "But the cats…" He shook his head.
"They're staying."
"They're not good for her breathing."
"Neither is the cancer."
Her mother stirred, snapping her out of her reverie and onto her feet in reaction to an unseen emergency. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a thick black object
settling down into the warm spot she had left on the couch.
"Don't even think about it, Jinx."
"Don't give him a hard time." Her mother's eyes opened. "Remember when he showed up? Him and three sisters on Christmas morning…"
"And we ended up making the turkey late because of it." She smiled. "And then they went and peed all over the presents under the tree because they didn't find the litter
box in time."
"Didn't think you'd like that sweater anyway." Sitting up with a start the senior began to cough, one hand grabbing onto the front of her flimsy nightgown, the thin
polyester and lace twisting in her fingers. The fit lasted for a long minute as Amy rubbed her back, wincing as she felt the bone structure just under the paper-thin skin. The
coughing subsided, leaving nothing but a choked cough in its wake. Exhausted from the effort her mother fell back onto the pillows, wheezing as she caught up with her
breathing.
"Do you want me to call the doctor?" Amy glanced over at the phone, always within easy reach.
The white-haired woman waved her hand. "And what's he going to do? Tell me to get rid of the cats and up the morphine?" She shook her head. "I'm going down
fighting and with my kids." Forcing a wink out of one eye she grinned at her daughter. "All of them."
"Just try to get some rest." Amy smiled.
Marion stared at the television screen. "Hmm… looks like the weather's going to be bad for the next few days. Better put more carpets by the cat doors; they'll all be
coming in."
"On my way." She disappeared for a few minutes until an answering crash of thunder sent her back to the living room. "Put out the welcome mats, mom." Pulling back
her long hair into a sharp ponytail Amy snapped the elastic hard. "I hope they appreciate it."
"They all do, dear." Her mother smiled as Jinx hopped off the couch, plodding towards the kitchen. "They all do."
Shaking her head the young woman checked the thermometer. "I just hope we don't lose the power. It's all nice and keen to have electric heat, but…" As if on cue the
lights flickered once.
"We've also got a fireplace." Marion chuckled. "Might be a good idea to toss another log in there and fire her up."
"Well, I'm not going to count on that. Let me get the weather channel on and see what's coming in."
The red band carrying the weather warning scrolled across the bottom of the screen, warning of major storms and flash floods incoming. "Wonderful." Amy let her
breath out in short measured parts. "Let me get the candles from the junk drawer."
"Don't you be fretting." Her mother called after her. "We'll be fine as usual. Just get another large log from the side of the house before the storm gets here."
Grabbing her light jacket off the hooks in the kitchen she pulled open the screen door and walked into the backyard. The fireplace had been nothing more than an antique
indulgence years ago, but her mother had started insisting that it be lit and cleaned almost daily; with the exception being the hottest summer days. Maybe it was something in
the flickering of the flames; the colors or imaginary shapes, but it helped calm her.
"Wind's picking up." Marion stated as her daughter laid the logs down at the side of the fireplace.
"No kidding." Amy muttered under her breath, wincing as a stray splinter pricked her palm. A brown and white tabby sauntered between her legs, heading for the
kitchen. "Kids are starting to come in."
"It's their way." The senior let out a chuckle, gasping as she inhaled. Her eyes went wide for a second as a rattling cough broke free. "Knew I should have switched to
menthol."
Amy held her breath as the attack abated within seconds, her muscles tense. Feeling the familiar ache in her bones she reached for the dustpan at the side of the
fireplace. "Let me get this cleaned out before everyone shows up."
There was nothing like bad weather to really discover exactly how many cats called the house home. Within hours Amy found herself outnumbered and outmaneuvered
on every level; both floors a virtual living carpet of fur. From elderly cats like Kelsey with only three toes on one paw to Easter Egg, a rather overweight white longhair that
somehow avoided being eaten by the local raccoons and coyotes; they all came in to avoid the storm.
Propping herself up with a pillow strategically placed at the small of her back Marion called each one by name; berating those she hadn't seen for weeks and welcoming
back mothers and fathers with wayward children as they curled around her hospital bed on the floor. For her part, Amy kept moving from window to door to window;
making sure that the house was as secure as she could make it.
"Here it comes." Carefully dislodging Jinx from his place on the couch she plopped down as the windows began to cry, the water bullets trying to break through. "Let's
see what the weather channel has to say."
"Major storm moving through for the next few hours…" The well-dressed man danced back and forth in front of the animated screen. "We're suggesting that you don't
go out unless you really, really need to. It's not going to stay warm either with this cold front as well, so get that coffeepot on and keep out of the rain. Keep watching here
for updates!"
"Wonderful." Amy muttered as she got up again, nearly tripping over a tawny-colored kitten. "I just hope..." As if on cue the lights flickered. "I didn't say it." Waving her
finger in the air she walked over to the fireplace and knelt down. "I think we should get this started."
A few minutes later the small fire had begun to feed on the dry wood, the crackling and snapping startling those cats too close to the fireplace. Drawing the steel
curtains shut Amy stood up again, her hand at the small of her back. The lights flickered again, surging back for one last charge before going out completely; sending the
house into darkness except for the fire.
"Well, that was good timing." Her mother chuckled.
"Tell me about it." Settling down on the couch the blonde reached for one of the utility candles; lighting it with a fresh box of matches. "Told you these would come in
handy."
"No, you didn't." She wagged a finger. "I remember you whining about having to carry them in from the car…" A thin tongue came out, wetting her lips.
"Well, whatever." Brushing a damp lock of hair out of her face Amy looked over at the fire. "Surprised they still work, being a few years old and all. Going to get a bit
cool until the furnace kicks back in, that's for sure."
"Just go get the extra blankets from the closet." Marion closed her eyes, the white hair framing her face on the hospital-issue pillow. "I'm feeling a bit chilly, actually."
Amy stood up; tripping over a kitten that had wandered in to see what this warmth thing was all about. Making her way to the hall closet she returned with a pair of
thick comforters, tossing the crimson one over her mother and the thinner plaid on the couch. Tucking the blanket in around the frail figure she returned to the cushions,
pushing Jinx aside as she wrapped the comforter around her shoulders.
"Let me call the power company and see when they expect it to come back on." Not waiting for her mother to respond she picked up the cell phone, tapping on the
keypad. "Hello…" A frown appeared on her face as she listened to the recorded message; snapping the phone shut with a loud clap. "Seems they expect it to be back 'any
time'. Which probably means not until midnight." Unravelling herself from the comforter she knelt down for another poke at the dying fire, shoving the ashes aside with a
blackened shovel while reaching for a thick log. Balancing it carefully in the center of the fireplace she pushed the dying embers around it, encouraging the dry wood to burn.
"This should keep us all warm for a few hours at least."
"It would be so nice to be a cat, don't you think?" Her mother's voice was thin and faint, drifting on the shadows cast by the candles and the fireplace flames. "Have a
nice thick fur coat…"
"Mom…"
"I'm fine." Waving away her daughter Marion smiled; the thin lips pressed tightly together. "Let an old woman do a bit of rambling and you're all ready to put me six feet
under, hmm?"
"Oh, mom…" Kissing the pale forehead the blonde moved back to the couch, settling into the cushions with a deep sigh. "You'll be the death of me yet."
"Promises, promises." Letting out a low yawn she closed her eyes. "I'm going to catch a bit of a nap here, if you don't mind. Nothing on television at the moment, so
I'm going to get some beauty sleep."
"Sure. We'll be just fine." Putting her hand over her mouth Amy forced back a yawn. "That log should be good for about three, four hours and if the power's not back
on by then I'll toss on the next one." She glanced over at the remaining logs stacked in the corner, a good distance away from the actual fireplace. "The curtains are shut and
there shouldn't be any sparks making it out that far." Jinx yawned a fat cat yawn, displaying a single fang. "And you and your friends just keep away from it. We put those
protectors up there for a reason and you've all been lucky so far - let's not break the pattern, okay?" In response she received a second mouthy yawn. "Why couldn't you all
just behave?"
"Oh, let them be." Marion murmured from the bed. "Let them all be."
Reaching for a crossword puzzle book Amy picked up a pencil and began to work a half-finished page by the flickering candlelight, keeping an eye on the fireplace.
Beside her the black cat proceeded to clean herself from ear tip to nose tip, ignoring the human.
The old mantel clock ticked on; the mechanical springs never in need of electricity, the low tones striking eight o'clock with a precision born of history. Amy's head
jerked up once, twice, her eyes trying to focus on the small print. The pencil slid from her fingers and down into the depths of the couch, disappearing where loose change
and stray candies go. Her head bobbed up one last time before falling forward to rest on her chest, a light snore drifting across the assembled cats.
The log burst apart in a shuddering slide of embers; spreading itself across the small wrought iron cradle as the dying wood struggled for life. Gasping for air the
charred remains kept on fighting until the brilliant orange color began to fade, replaced with the crosshatched grey of death.
Outside the rain kept pounding unmercifully on the walls and windows; seeking a way in. Bashing on the glass it continued to seek any possible entrance, settling for
pooling in the grass around the house. A dampness began to fill the house, sucking the last remnants of heat from the dying fire and seeping into everything that it could,
including the two women. Amy shifted to one side on the couch, pulling the comforter tighter around her as she mumbled in her sleep.
The clock chimed midnight, the mellow tones reverberating across the living room as the now cold ashes shifted their position in the fireplace; gravity exercising one
last natural influence. The blonde woman on the sofa licked her lips once, her eyes fluttering open.
"Oh, my God…" Sitting upright with a start Amy grabbed hold of the arm of the couch, feeling a wave of lightheadedness wash across her. "What…" Her eyes darted
around the room, adjusting to the dim candlelight. She focused on the emergency candles, her mind doing the calculations for them to have burnt down so much in their
glass jars.
"Mom." Pulling the comforter away from her she shivered, the cold air wrapping itself around her as securely as the blanket had minutes ago. "Mom!"
"Hmm?" Marion opened her eyes, squinting. "Hmm?"
"The fire went out." Dropping to her knees Amy scrambled for the nearest log, tossing it into the fireplace in a burst of ash and soot. "It's almost freezing in here and
you're going to get pneumonia…" She coughed, fumbling with the long matches and the newspaper she needed to start the fire. "I can't believe…" As the flames began to
curl up the latest headlines and lick at the wood she stood up. "It's been hours."
"Hmm…" Her mother let out a giggle. "Toby."
Blinking, Amy turned away from the fire to face the hospital bed. She could make out her mother's face and the multicolored fur blanket that covered her in the growing
light of the fire.
A fur… blanket?
Nestled squarely in the center of Marion's chest lay Toby, the eldest cat in the house. Jinx covered her feet and between the pair lay kittens and cats of all ages and
shapes and colors; all tucked around and over her mother's body. All giving their warmth to the woman whom had, for so many years, given them a place to stay safe and
warm in the world.
"Toby." She repeated, one hand rising up to stroke the old Persian's head. "You came back." In response an ugly purr rose up from the cat, reminding Amy of a car
engine in desperate need of a tuneup. As if on cue the entire bed erupted into a series of purrs, each cat and kitten hitting his and hers own note in a feline chorus.
Unable to speak Amy watched as the cats continued to purr, curling around her mother and keeping her warm until the room temperature rose up; the firelog sending a
burst of heat into the damp room. As the room got warmer and warmer one by one the cats jumped down off the hospital bed; most of them curling up in front of the
fireplace as if to replenish their own body heat.
Suddenly the lights came back on, a loud mechanical click announcing the furnace's return along with the comforting hum of the refrigerator and the television set.
Picking up one of the candles Amy blew it out as the cats disappeared into familiar nooks and crannies with the exception of Jinx who returned to his throne on the sofa and
Toby, who remained on Marion's lap.
The senior looked up with a thin smile. "Told you he'd come back."
"Yes." Amy nodded. "You said that."
"They always come back to the Cat Lady." Marion chuckled, tickling the cat under his chin. "Just remember that." She smiled, stroking the old cat's back. "If they love
you, they always come back when you need them." Looking up she met her daughter's eyes. "Even if they do tend to whine a bit too much at times."
Choking back a laugh Amy reached down, hugging her mother. "Especially when they whine."
| The Cat Lady by Sheryl Nantus |
Like this story? Really, really like it?
Why not drop a penny or two into
me old hat here?
Please and thank you!
Why not drop a penny or two into
me old hat here?
Please and thank you!
