It’s that time again, a chance for me to have a little fun with fiction and bring you along for the ride. And I’m particularly excited about this month’s because the picture I found involves a cat! Anyone who knows me will already know I’m a cat lover and while Dan and I can’t have one in our current flat, we have grand plans for a cat (and a dog) in our future.
This picture is by the lovely Molly Stroud who I’ve been following on Instagram for a long time. Her writing and photography is beautiful and I’m always blown away by her ability to be honest and vulnerable in her sharing.
So, let’s get to it shall we?
Feline
Her eyes flickered open to see sunlight peering through the curtains. The hum of her fan drowned anything else out and she welcomed the cool breeze it sent up her body. The thought of getting up and out of bed seemed too much to bear.
Despite the sun smiling down on her, despite the promise of a new day where anything could happen, all she wanted was to pull the duvet over her head.
A startlingly loud meow cut through her thoughts as Alfie, her ginger and white cat jumped on the bed to greet her. With no care for her feelings, he gently pawed at her cheek. She couldn’t help but smile. For Alfie, nothing was different. All he cared about was getting attention, getting fed and getting a sun spot to sleep in.
As the meowing got louder and more inpatient, she chuckled, pulled the duvet off and stepped out of bed. Alfie excitedly ran to the kitchen, turning his head now and then to check she was following.
“OK, OK, I’m coming.” she mumbled under laughter.
After filling his bowl with food, she stood and watched him eat with utter abandon. Oh to be a cat she thought.
She wondered if she could get as excited as Alfie for food. Looking through her cupboards and fridge another smile crept across her face as she realised she had all the ingredients she needed for pancakes.
Dusting off her mixing bowl she decided to put on some music and found herself gently swaying as she mixed. Before she knew it, she was singing into her spatula, flipping pancakes in time to the music.
Alfie jumped on the kitchen counter and watched her with a curious expression.
She bent down to kiss his head before serving up her pancakes and walking to the living room. Curling up on the sofa, ready to devour her breakfast with the same abandon Alfie expressed, something lifted from her shoulders. Joy can be found, she realised.
Alfie slowly sauntered into the lounge, jumping up on the sofa. He gave the pancakes a quick sniff before deciding they weren’t for him and instead snuggled close to her for the first of many cat-naps.
She took a deep breath and felt grateful in that moment for everything she had and especially for Alfie.
I genuinely had the biggest smile on my face the entire time I was writing that. It reminded me of Sanka (my parents cat) who is incredibly vocal and demands a lot of attention. No matter what else is going on in the world, cats know what’s important. Getting fed, getting love from others and getting space to rest.
Time to be more cat I think.
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