I couldn't sleep so I did the only thing that helps, clean. First came the white sheets, turned a dusty gray from years of protecting the furniture. The dark blue cushions on the couch and loveseat were just as I left them, clean and plush. Next came the old brown leather chair, I have no clue where my mother found this chair.. probably in a dumpster somewhere. But I had a fondness for it because I had spent many nights curled up in Mom's lap while we watched "I Love Lucy" when the storms outside kept us awake. I plopped down in the chair, snuggling deep down into the cracked, soft leather. I stayed there for a moment, trying to make it work, but after a couple of minutes I heaved myself out of the chair with a sigh... It just wasn't as comfy anymore...
I headed for the hall closet to dig out the old sweeper, which probably didn't work anymore. Still, it was worth a shot... I opened the door and leaned inside to pull the large and outdated sweeper from the clutter covered with dust. The sweeper came out easily but the cord was caught so I bravely stuck my hand back into the dark corner "I'm gonna grab the biggest freaking spider ever." I muttered to myself, "Can't believe I'm doing thi-AAHHHH!" Something large and fuzzy curled around my hand and I threw myself back, landing hard on my butt against the other wall. After I finally calmed down I ran to the kitchen and grabbed the large flashlight Mom had kept in the drawer "Always practical, Mom" I said as I slipped quietly up to the closet door. Pushing the coats and junk to the side, I shined the light into the back corner.. Ready to find something I didn't want to, but instead I found two large eyes shining at me. A small yellow cat with long fur (fur that was now standing on end) lay on one of my old flannel shirts, with six adorable kittens sleeping against her belly. She must have been terrified, because her eyes were unnaturally wide but she still never moved. I realized at that moment that I had grabbed her tail instead of the sweeper cord "Oh, sweetie!" I cooed at her as I crouched to get a better look "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to scare you! Wait.. How did you get in here?" I began looking all around the closet and found a small hole on the other end, leading out to the back deck. Great. At least it was a cat and not a rabid racoon...
Slowly and carefully, I began pulling everything out of the closet. I figured that the new mother would try to attack me, since I was so close to her young, but she eventually relaxed and I saw her hair smooth out as her eyes went half-closed. I kept talking to her the whole time, Mom had always said that wild animals are soothed by a calm voice. Of course, she was right once again. I got all of the junk out of the way and slowly crawled in to sit next to her. I had to figure out how to get them out of the closet so I could fix that hole. I knew she'd freak if I started hammering away right next to her. "Are you gonna be able to trust me, kitty?" I said softly as I held my hand out her her to sniff. She froze and her ears flicked back, but she bravely sniffed my hand all over. After she decided I was safe she pushed her little head against my hand and I rubbed all the way down her back. When she started to purr, I started to cry...
No comments:
Post a Comment