Sunday, July 6, 2014, And just a little bit more
I came into the living room and found her, again, sitting in front of the TV, but this time watching children's cartoons.
I'd woken up in my bed, nude, freshly bathed, and with my hair done. I not at all clear on what happened after Penny helped me out of my office. I firmly put aside any thoughts that she might have taken advantage of me while I was out of it.
I did clearly remember her tucking me into bed, kissing me, and leaving the room. Several minutes later she leaped up on the bed, waking me up. She had her kitten things on. She licked my face then curled up on the foot of the bed. When I woke this morning she wasn't there.
And now here she was watching cartoons. She was nude, wearing her cat things, and using her "regal" cat pose. Back more straight, head up, breasts thrust out more. She didn't seem to have heard me. I watched her for a few seconds, then looked to see she was watching Sylvester and Tweety Bird.
I memory drifted back to me. I said, not too loudly, "I taught I thaw a puddy tat."
Apparently loud enough. She turned to stare at me, her mouth open in surprise.
She shut her mouth for a moment, then said "A joke. You mad a cat joke."
But she wasn't smiling. "Well, yes. I saw you there, your ears, your tail out behind you, and, well, I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offended you."
"'Offend me'? No, I'm just in shock. I love it! I've been here for weeks and it's the first time you've made a joke. Have you ever made a joke before?"
I answered, "Not one that was funny."
She replied, "You still haven't, but it was cute. Thank you."
She considered me for a moment. "Not all jokes are funny, Megan."
I said, "Some of them are pretty mean."
"Yes, but I didn't mean that. I mean some jokes say things or are ironic or, well you know."
"I agree with that. So what did that joke tell you?"
She smiled and turned back to the TV, and once again, in that sing song voice, said "I'm gonna win!"
I sighed at her and turned to the kitchen. I said over my shoulder "Do you want breakfast at the table or in your bowl?"
"Bowl, please."
I prepared scrambled eggs and sausage. Cut hers up into her bowl and put it down. Then filled my own plate and put it at my place at the table. Filled her water bowl. Gave her a small bowl of milk.
I turned to call her then though about it. How did I call my cat? Mostly he never came, no matter what I tried, so I wasn't sure what Penny would respond to. Then I figuratively slapped myself on the forehead. She'd respond to anything I used. I usually just yelled "Penny, breakfast."
I smiled and called, "Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty."
I heard the TV go off and her four footed run coming. She pushed the door open and looked up at me smiling.
"Breakfast, dear."
She stropped herself around and between my legs than ran over and started eating.
I sat sipping my coffee watching her.
["Mother?"]
["Just a minute, dear."]
I waited a few seconds then starting eating. It took about three minutes.
["Yes, dear?"]
["If Penelope started painting again, could you get them out to the art community without giving away her location?"]
["Of course. Get her to sign an agent's contract with me. She still wants to?"]
["I'm pretty sure she will, if I can guarantee she won't end up dragged back into the public eye."]
["We'll have to be careful with shipping and so forth. And if paintings start showing up in my gallery, someone is going to look into my family. Can you keep her out of sight at your end?"]
I gave her a view of Penny.
["Would this do it?"]
["Or get her humiliated if anyone made the connection that your "cat" is Penelope Connors."]
["Mother, I think this woman is incapable of being humiliated."]
She hit me with what felt like a change of subject. Later on, I wasn't so sure it was.
["Have you decided to keep her?"]
I said, ["How can I?"]
["Not the answer you gave me the last time, dear."]
I said, ["No, it isn't. It's hard to argue with how happy she is like this."]
["Or how happy you are with her there."]
She continued, ["Put aside your prejudices, dear. Did you know that she's worth fifteen million dollars?"]
["She's not broke?"]
["See, there you are, dear. If she were anyone else you'd have check her background the day after you met her. You'd have known. You want her. You've wanted her from the start."]
I struggled with the idea for a moment, then gave in, ["I guess you're right."]
["When you can say "Yes," instead of "I guess," you'll know you're ready."]
["I see that. But I can't just yet."]
["I know. But you might let the girl be a cat while you're working it out. She's so much happier that way."]
I corrected her, without thinking bout it, ["Kitten, mother.]
Then, after thinking for a few seconds, I added, ["I will, mother."]
["You're a good girl, Megan. Just a bit pig headed."]
Before I could reply, she went on.
["Oh and about that money. She hasn't touched it in three years. But she has called her lawyer regularly to direct how it's handled. You said she wasn't stupid. From what I hear, she's a clever financial planner."]
["Thank you, Mother."]
["Any time, dear. When you've settled in with her, bring her around. I'd like watch her play with a ball of yarn."]
I smiled, ["You're evil, mother."]
["Surely you hadn't just now figured that out? Gotta run, dear. Good luck."]
["Thanks again, see you later."]
I'd finished eating without even noticing it. Penny wasn't quite done yet. I sat there smiling at her.
She glanced back at me, as she often did, then looked over her should again looking at me intently. She'd stopped eating.
I said, "Finish your breakfast, Kitty."
She started chewing again then gradually looked away, her attention on her food.
I found myself unable to control my smile. I could suppress it for a few seconds, but as soon as I relaxed a bit it came back. A gentle smile of contentment and anticipation.
She finished her milk then sat there grooming herself. I got my brush out of my purse.
"Here, kitty."
She came over to me. I signed her to turn around then slid forward on my chair, my knees to each side of her shoulders, and started brushing her hair. She purred. If I closed my eyes it sounded just like a cat purring. I brushed far longer than it made any sense to. I was enjoying it, and so was she. She never stopped purring. I touched her lightly with my attention. She was thoroughly satisfied with life.
'Penny?"
"Yes, Megan."
"You've convinced me you're happy this way. You can drop the girl time, if you want."
I thought she'd be excited and maybe worried. And I could sense she was, but she showed no sign. No body language, no quickened breath. Nothing.
"Thank you, Megan. Do I have to leave now?"
"Of course not. This is your home for as long as you want it to be."
The worry went away.