“Almost ten years. I went to college right after high school and got my associate’s degree. Then I did a three-year apprenticeship. How long have you been in business?”
Her eyes lit up as she tucked a leg under the other one.
“About seven years. I never finished college. I took some classes about skin care and stuff like that. I just had to get all the proper licenses and things.”
“That’s what’s up. I might have to check your stuff out.”
“I’ll make sure you get a discount on your first purchase.”
We continued to talk about our lives. She told me about her love of photography and peanut butter cookies. I told her more about hunting, like the types of guns I used.
We shared stories about our childhoods. She briefly talked about the relationship she used to have with her brother, but didn’t go into detail about what made them not talk anymore. I could tell the conversation made her uncomfortable, so I changed the subject.
“What the fuck!” I jumped when I saw something black run up to Tumy.
When I focused on it, I noticed it was a black cat. Tumy reached down to pick it up as she laughed way too hard.
“It’s my cat, Sparrow. Say hi, Sparrow.” She pointed one of the cat’s paws in my direction.
“Tumy, why the fuck do you have a cat in here? Where has it been all of this time?”
Tears fell from her eyes as she continued to laugh and rub the cat’s head.
“You’re a stranger, so he hid from you. He came out for breakfast, then went back into hiding.”
I shook my head. “I don’t like cats.”
Her hand flew to her chest, and she gasped. She looked like she was appalled by what I said.
“You pointed a gun in my face, and you hunt animals, but you are scared of cats.” She pulled the cat to her chest and gave him a light squeeze.
“Them muthafuckas are sneaky.”
“How?”
I went on to tell her how a cat snuck up on me one time while I was outside playing. The bitch scratched me, and since then, I hadn’t liked cats. If it weren’t so sneaky, I would have known it was here the whole time. I remembered something ran by when I first got to the cabin, but I forgot about it since I didn’t see it again. I wished his black ass had stayed hidden.
“Pet him.” She grabbed my hand, but I pulled it back.
“I’m good.”
“Major. Pet the cat, please. I promise he won’t bite you or anything.”
I slowly reached toward the cat and touched the top of his head. I rubbed him the way Tumy did, and he closed his eyes. A weird sound came from him that got louder the longer I rubbed his head.
“What the hell is that noise?” I snatched my hand back.
“It’s called purring.” Tumy giggled.
“I ain’t touching him anymore.” I frowned at the cat.
“You don’t have to. Thank you for at least trying.”
Our conversation switched to television shows and movies we liked to watch. I found out we had a few favorites in common. We even liked some of the same music.
Every so often, I would glance down at the cat, but he paid me no mind as he slept on her lap. When he woke up, he got down and ran off somewhere. I always assumed I would be able to smell a cat if one were around, but I didn’t smell her cat. I’d been to a chick’s house who had a hard time cleaning out the litter box, and her house stunk. I didn’t even bother with sitting down on her couch. As soon as that smell hit me, I acted like I forgot about a meeting and bounced. I blocked her ass before my ass could even hit the seat of my car.
“Do you like to travel?”
