Cat, Pet, Animal, Tabby Cat

"I see you've started a new story," he said, staring at his treats.

"Yes."

"There's a talking cat in it."

"Yes."

"I assume you're basing that character on me."

"I am."

"So he'll not only be brilliant, he'll be the hero as well, right?"

"I hope so," she said, putting a plate of food down for Jinx.

"Hope so?  Aren't you the one writing it?"

"Of course."

"Then you can write him as the hero."

"Stories write themselves."

"Excuse me?"

"Look," she said.  "I sit down, and the story goes wherever it wants to go.  I don't know what's going to happen next."

"That's insane."

"Maybe."

"No maybe about it."

"I can't promise you anything."

"Have you ever heard of outlines?"

"Yes.  I hate them and don't do them.  I don't even understand them.  How can anyone know the end before they get there.  It would be like writing your life story at birth.  It doesn't make any sense. At least not to me.  The only ending any of us can be sure of, is death."

"Your teachers must have loved you."

"One or two."

"Well, just don't let him get killed or be stupid, okay?"

"Like I said, I can't make any promises."

"Can I have more food?"

"Sure," she said, opening another can.  "Do you think everyone realizes how mean the world is?  If it's warmer, it's dark all day, so the clouds can keep the heat in.  If it's sunny, it's below zero.  One more weird part of living here."

"Where else would you like to live?"

"I'm not sure what's available.  Somewhere where the weather would be fabulous and there were nice animals and a lot of cats."

"You can't have a lot of nice animals and humans in the same place.  Humans kill animals and threaten them.  They eat them and hang their heads on walls."

"I'm so sorry we're having this conversation," she moaned, closing her eyes.

"I'm just saying that you'd have to think of someplace better, unless you lived there as the only person in the place."

"I don't think I'd like that."

"I don't think you'd like it either.  It's not good to be the only one of anything."

She kissed him, and rubbed his ears.  "I love you."

"Yeah, yeah.  What else is new," he sighed.

"I have to go, so..."

"I'll tell Jinx his food is here."

She kissed and hugged him, whispered sweet nothings into his ear, then kissed him some more.

"You know the other cats can smell you on me."

"So?  Do they tease you?"

"Not if they want to live."

"Should I stop touching you?"

There was a long silence before he said, "Be careful crossing the street."  Then hurled into a ball and began to doze.

Smiling, she picked up her bags and walked away.