Short Story--Third Part

Short Story—Part III

I’ll Fix You

Molly’s determined to keep me house bound, afraid I’ll disappear maybe. I’m not happy and stay on my side of the bed more. Guess the move’s a go—boxes piling up—less and less stuff lying around. Her friends come over for a so-long party and I see my opportunity. I slip out between arrivals and stay away for two days. It’d probably have been longer, but I got a really big lump under my ear, courtesy of a disagreement over which guy the lady wanted. I wouldn’t say I lost exactly. She just weren’t no lady.

Molly’s really pissed, though if you ask me, she’s overreacting. Keeps mumbling this is the last straw, and she’ll fix me and stop my nonsense once and for all. Whatever. Dragged me to the clinic she uses. I hate doctors and gross medical smells. The white coat shoots me with something then adds insult to injury and prods at the lump. I yowl good and loud. Molly finally takes a little pity and runs her fingers through my hair to soothe. I must fall asleep.

When I wake, the whole world’s tilted. Bright light streams into a really roomy bedroom. Large leafy plants line the floor at the windows. Mostly, the air’s filled with flowers and fresh mowed grass. Molly is suddenly all solicitous kindness. Even the food’s improved, moist and meaty, not too bad coming from a can. I have no ambition at the moment to go out and explore. I’m sore, especially when I pee. In bed, I snuggle close to Molly. She has crap for claws but I still like it when she scratches under my chin and between my ears. I purr like a tuned-up motor.

The End

Next time

I’ll offer an essay about what failure can teach and any status update on my writing.