She slid her phone back in her pocket and shook her head, reaching for the kitten that batted at Jenna, looking healthier than earlier.
“No. I couldn’t ask you to do that. You need to stay here.”
“Are you sure?” I said, my body betraying me, as I stifled a yawn and shook out my shoulders, reaching for the kitten and putting her on the bed. She turned in a circle and climbed on my pillow, kneading the space before settling in.
“Thank you, Mark,” she said, glancing at the television, then back at me.
Her voice was raw and husky, like she was affected by me as much as I was by her. “Text me tomorrow, and I can always swing by with high-calorie supplemental formula if she’s not eating well.” Her voice sounded more confident than her body language. She clenched and released her fists, proving my point.
“Will do, Dr. Cutie. And I should have an update on your car later on.”
“My car, right. Yes, thank you,” she said, wringing her hands together.
“I love this episode,” I said, trying to ease the tension by pointing to the television. Some part of me shamelessly hoped she would stay and watch the show. She looked at the screen again, and her face lit up like she had a brilliant idea.
“That’s what you should name her, Mark—Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock.”She let out a giggle, then shrugged her shoulders.
“There is no way I’m naming her that. Are you crazy?”
But honestly, if it made Jenna giggle like that again, I’d almost consider giving her that ridiculous name.
“Not today,” she said with a wink. “But she needs a name. And not a cliché one like Midnight or Lucky. A good, strong, feisty name.”
“Let’s focus on making sure she’s healthy before we go giving her a ten-syllable name,” I said, digging a knuckle in my eye to stave off exhaustion.
She just smiled, like my body and mind weren’t at war with one another, and picked up the kitten, taking her back to the bathroom and shutting the door with a soft click.
“Remember, I’m just a text away if you need anything, Mark.”
“Right, thanks.”
I nodded and motioned for her to head downstairs. She brushed by me, and I followed her down, the warm air hitting me like a slap in the face when I opened the front door.
There was a red convertible in the driveway, and Jenna stood beside me, lingering on the porch. Then turned and looked at the car, waving her hand in greeting to a girl with flaming red hair.
“Jenna,” I said, touching her elbow, so she looked at me. “Thank you for taking time out of your day to help.”
“Anytime, Mark. And thank you for taking her in. You’re going to be a good Cat Dad.”
She put her hand on my arm and gave it a tight squeeze, then let go and swiftly walked down the steps and got in the car. The driver gave me a curt nod, and I returned it before lifting my hand to Jenna. She returned the wave, and I watched the taillights disappear until it was nothing but a spark in the dark. I pulled out my cell phone, wanting to text her one more time, but thought better of it and put the phone back.
Cat Dad.
The second she said those words, I knew it was true. I couldn’t take her to a shelter. As soon as I bought that purple sparkle collar, she was mine. The front door clicked shut, and I took the stairs two at a time, going to my bedroom and pulling off my shirt and shoes. I shucked off my pants and quietly opened the bathroom door.
Two bright blue eyes were staring at me as I closed the door and turned on the shower.
“I’m not naming you Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock,” I said, turning the water as hot as it would go. She stretched and trotted over to the bathmat, tilting her head as if saying, “We’ll see about that, Dad.”
I stepped in and let out a sigh as the hot water hit my back. Bracing my hands on the wall, I groaned, letting the water soothe my muscles and trying to get the scent of peaches out of my head.
5 - JENNA
“Gretchen, I don’t have time for this today. I have to go,” I said as if the wild, pregnant opossum living under my porch gave a damn.
She needed to know there was food before I left, but all I could see with my phone’s flashlight were two beady eyes in the corner of the dark space.
Whatever.
