That evening it wasn’t a dog, but a kid on a bike that woke me. I hadn’t realized that I’d settled down so close to the sidewalk.
I proceeded to slink off to the safety of another bush to get my bearings. I was trying to remember how far I’d come from the “Texas” house and thinking maybe I should start heading back there. I was getting really hungry.
“I wonder if Mellie has gone inside yet,” I thought.
“She’s been outside with me all this time. What are they waiting for?”
That’s when it hit me. I suddenly realized that she would never be going back inside the house, that she was obviously going to be an outside cat now too! I knew I needed to get back there right away! How could I have left her? She needed me!
Which way? Which way?
I started running, stopped, turned around and started running again. I knew I had crossed a street, but had I crossed more than one? Was it this one? I raced across, just missing a car turning into a driveway. A dog saw me and started barking. Fortunately, he was tied to a tree.
It took me most of the night, some of it spent scurrying aimlessly, but I finally spotted the fence where I had escaped! Knowing I’d be getting wet and matted again, I lay down and scooted myself under it.
Yup, there was Mellie, asleep in the yard, just as I had left her. I nonchalantly walked over and took a drink from our water bowl.
Mellie opened one eye. I could tell she was thrilled to see me. But in true cat fashion, she simply said, “Oh, you’re back.”
“Yes, I am,” I replied, also in true cat fashion, as I casually walked over and lay down near her. I knew that she knew that she was now an outside cat. And I knew that she knew that I knew. It went without saying.
“Did you have a good time?” she asked.
“Yeah, it was ok,” I replied. “I got a little wet.”
“I can see that,” she said. “But welcome back.”
“Thanks,” I said, settling down for some much-needed rest.
I think I’ll be sticking around this new “Texas” home for a while, at least as long as I have Mellie by my side.
© Copyright 2015 Ginny Brinkley