The house was quiet and mostly dark. Rain pattered against the windows and the kittens sat watching the raindrops glide down the window. They glistened like stars as in the reflected light, moving either slowly or quickly as their size and weight dictated. The kittens pawed at the window, hoping against futility that one would end up in their belly. Alas, not.
I typed. The soft clacking of the keyboard my companion in the silence while the house was still and the sun warmed up the eastern sky. I typed, trying to express my thoughts in a coherent way. Trying to squeeze the juice from the somewhat dried lemon I called my creative mind. My other companion sat by me on the next chair, nearly invisible and waiting patiently while words flowed onto the screen. She watched in silence, a larger-than-life character who kept this library guarded in its early days. A Rubenesque companion to teacups, books, and warm laps. She let her eyes wander over the words, my face, the kittens, and the ever-expanding shelves of books.
“So, what do you think?” I asked her quietly. “Making any sense?”
She blinked, looked away, then replied “My bowl is empty, you know.”
“Yes, I know, but you really don’t have a bowl here anymore. But thank you for staying”
“Someone has to watch out for all of you.” She mumbled as she turned in the chair.
I felt her nestle down and get comfortable. The kittens became distracted and left the window. On the way past, the girl, much smaller than her brother, paused just for a second and looked at the two of us. She blinked slowly at my companion and moved past, leaving just the two of us in the library. I pushed back from the table and picked up the ghostly cat from the chair. She glared at me in false indignance but settled lovingly into my arms. I leaned over and sipped my tea then carried her around the shelves.
“See what we did while you were gone? It’s grown, hasn’t it?” I whispered to her, kissing her ear and making her make the face at me.
“I have. Not a place to sit anymore – at least not with the books. I liked it airier, if you get me. It is easier to get in there and listen to the whispering books.” Her eyes moved from my face to the books and back again.
“I don’t think we thought about that. Good idea, but the kittens aren’t you. They’re clumsy and full of themselves. It is one of their charms. You were always so careful and respectful. These two are so funny. They have too big feet and too long legs for their bodies. You? We never worried about knocking anything over. Them? Not so much.” I paused, “We miss you.” I felt my eyes get wet. I blinked the tear away and smiled at the cat in my arms.
She blinked and started to purr a little.
“I know. I’ve kept them away from those glass things, so they don’t knock them over, but they are busy little kittens. I show them how to do things, but kids these days…” She smiled a little and looked up at me. I appreciated the joke and held her a little closer. “So, what are you writing, Big Person?” she asked quietly.
“I’m writing a little story for her birthday. I really haven’t written much, and this seemed like a good thing to get out”
“Huh. Didn’t you tell her happy birthday already?”
“I did”
“Didn’t you tell her you loved her?”
“I did. You sure are full of questions, aren’t you?”
“So why the story?”
“It’s what I do, isn’t it?”
“I thought you took pictures. I see them around…”
“I do that too, silly.” I kissed her head between her ears, and she shook it off.
She looked at me and I smiled back. I walked all around the library with her and showed her all my favorite books that we added since she left. Giving me the usual cat indifference, I could still feel her purring against me, so I knew she approved.
“So many stories here now. I think I will make a little room from time to time and listen to some books. They always want to tell their stories; but you must listen. Humans don’t listen enough.”
I nodded in understanding. The kittens flashed by the door of the library, then returned to watch me. Sitting patiently, they blinked and groomed. “I think the little masters want to be fed” I said to my furry black companion.
“They do, Bring me to her. I want to lie with her on her birthday.”
I got a little teary and kissed her again.
Ever so quietly, I made my way to the bedroom and pushed the door open a little more, careful not to wake her. My companion looked up at me and blinked slowly, rubbed her face on my hand then my chin, and began to rise. I tipped her towards the bed, and she landed, maybe a little more softly than she intended. I watched her make her way around the sleeper’s feet and legs, then up along her body to her beautiful little face. She tipped her head down and licked her ever so lightly. Again, looking back at me a moment, she moved to her usual spot, draped over blanketed legs and curled up. The sleeper moaned a little, made a sweet noise and sighed in comfort and love. I turned away, closing the door behind me. As I left, my companion said “Wait”
I stopped and waited.
“I never left you. Either of you.”
I teared up yet again.
“I feel you every day. Thank you for being with us” I whispered very softy.
“Go feed the kids, They’re great. I’ll take care of them too.”
And with that, she put her head down and curled her luxurious tail around herself and went to sleep. I closed the door and tended the little masters. Fed and content they returned to their window to continue catching raindrops, although a little more slowly. I typed, working through the words. Alone with the kittens this time.
Surrounded by stories waiting to be told and so very, very in love.
<3
Happy Birthday
2025
