The big grey tabby he’s sharing the space with swipes at him, and he cowers away into the corner. She fumbles with the cage latch, rushing it and can’t quite slide the cage latch. Bluebeard creeps a little closer, but a hiss drives him away again.
I close my fingers over hers, gently shifting them to the side so I can open it, and as soon as it clicks open, she shoves her arms in the cage to pull out her favorite.
He curls right into her, laying his head on her arm.
“I know, buddy. You’re going to be okay, I promise. I wish I could take you home, but I can’t. It won’t be forever. We’ll post some more videos to get all of your friends adopted. And hopefully, you.”
Her voice breaks, and when she looks up, her eyes are bright with tears trying to spill over. It’s an unfamiliar side of her. This vulnerability wrenches my heart. She usually comes across as so strong and in control. But she loves that cat so much.
“I can’t leave him here. I feel so bad.”
I reach over to stroke the fuzzy little guy that’s been growing on me since I met him. “Why can’t you?”
“Jenna is allergic.”
It’s destroying me to see her like this. “Maybe I could take him home. If that’s allowed. What does it take to become a foster?”
She slowly tilts her head up to look at me, a tiny spark of hope in her wide eyes. “Fill out an application and provide references. I’m sure Damien would grant you a pass since you’re with me, and it’s an emergency. But could you? What about the guys?”
“I’m sure they’d be fine with it.”
“And your landlord?” The despair is rapidly draining from her face, and now I know I can’t quash this joy.
“I’m kind of my own landlord. Technically, my father owns the house.”
“Oh. Right. So, you really could? But it’s so much, and you said you never wanted to have a pet. I can’t ask you to do that.”
She looks back down at Bluebeard.
I reach over, tilting her chin up so she can see the sincerity in my eyes. “You didn’t ask. I offered. And it’s only temporary. A foster situation. I can handle that. As long as you help me figure it all out. I’ll have to buy all the cat stuff. A litter box, food, toys, a scratching post. What else do they need?”
“You don’t need to worry about that. Paws provides all the necessities for foster homes, and I can tell you what food to buy. Do you really mean it?”
“Yes. A hundred percent. Let’s do this. Can we go talk to Damien now?”
She nods, bouncing on her toes.
A quick conversation with Damien and we’re cleared to go. Now. I’m taking a cat home with me. What have I gotten myself into?
The guys were surprised but all-in when Luna and I stepped through the front door with the cat carrier in tow. At first, they thought I was fucking with them, but realized it wasn’t a joke when I unloaded the litter box, food dishes, and all the otherparaphernalia you apparently need for a pet. They use an awful lot of stuff for such small creatures.
Luna told me I had to keep him locked in my room for a little while to let him get used to the space, so it’s all set up for him. I can’t believe I allowed her to put the litter box in my bedroom, but she said I could move it next week.
She was dying to stay longer, but she had to rush out to a group meeting for one of her classes.
So, now here I am walking through the front door of my house, which we’re now sharing with an animal. I guess it’s not too much of a change, given the other occupants of the house. The guys are probably smellier than Bluebeard, and definitely noisier. I’ve learned to live with them, so I guess I can handle this.
“Can I come in to see him?” JJ appears behind me, poking his head over my shoulder to peer through my bedroom door.
A little chirp rings out in greeting.
“Seriously, JJ? Back off, man. I don’t have time now, but maybe later I can introduce you to a concept known as personal space.”
“Sorry. He’s just so cute, and I miss Cheddar.”
“You have a cat?” I feel like I should know that fact about him. Kind of figured he’d be more of a dog person. Have I been too self-absorbed this semester to pay attention to my team?
“Yeah, he’s orange. You know what they say about orange cats? He lives up to the reputation.”
