"You're spending a lot of time in the yard lately," he said.
"I know. Flowers take a tonsof care."
"Then why do you do it? You always say you don't have enough time, then you plant things that take even more of your time."
"Well, when you put it that way," she said.
"There's no other way to put it.'
"The flowers are beautiful and worth the time. Otherwise it's winter."
"True," he said. "It's almost winter now."
"No it isn't," she laughed. "We have...you're right, it's almost winter."
"Sixteen weeks, maybe," he said.
"I put up a humming bird feeder but haven't seen any hummers."
"Those babies are fast, which makes them more fun to catch."
"I knew I shouldn't have told you."
"They look like fat bees, they're so small. But they'er vicious, stabbing each other through the chest, after which they both die, since the one who stabbed the other one can't get his beak out of the guy's chest."
"I didn't need to know that."
"Well, if you find two dead ones, now you know what happened. Don't even get me started on those dragonflies. Just be glad they're smaller than you are, or you'd be dinner."
"Do you have any siblings?"
"Two sisters and a brother."
"Do you know where they are?"
"Not really. They move around a lot, although they stop by when they're in town."
"That's nice."
"It's unusual," he said. "Our mother made us promise not to lose touch."
"She must have been a wonderful cat."
"She was."
"I thought I'd have a party for all of you, this weekend."
"You have parties for us every night, what's going to be different about this weekend?"
"Uh, probably not much, now that you mention it."
"New catnip mice?"
"Yes, but I always have those for you."
"You can show us that old movie, Bell Book and Candle. I know you think we like to watch it because there's a cat in it."
"The cat's name is Pyewacket. Kim Novak adopted him after the film."
"The cat's kind of lame, actually. We watch it because we think it makes you happy when we do."
"You all fall asleep half way through."
"Like I said, the cat's lame. Never hunts, catches anything at all, and is just weird."
"I won't show it any more."
"Get something with fish swimming or birds flying around, not some wussy cat jumping onto a bookshelf now and then."
"Those kinds of videos can become addicting and some cats end up sitting in front of the TV pawing at the screen, wondering where the fish went."
He snickered. "I've seen that happen."
"So have I, and it's not a pretty sight."
"Are you happy?" he asked.
"Am I happy?"
"Yeah."
She thought for a moment, then said, "I'm not unhappy."
"Okay, but then what are you?"
"Peaceful and content, I guess."
"That sounds okay."
"How abut you? Are you happy?"
"I think so," he said, licking his paw. "I have friends, I'm in charge, I have food and you take care of a lot of things for me, so I'd say I'm happy."
"I'm glad. I wish you would all live with me, but I know you like your freedom."
"Yes and no. Life on the street can be hard and it's always dangerous. I suppose it's what you get used to. I think all of us are spending more time at your place though."
"I love all of you," she said, petting him.
"I know, but you love me the most, right?"
"Right," she said, kissing him. "I said I wouldn't kiss you anymore but..."
"You can't help it."
"I can't help it," she agreed.
"I'm very charismatic, so it's not your fault that you can't stay away from me."
She grinned, "That's so true."
"You're not so bad yourself," he said. "For a human, I mean."
"Thank you."
"Jinx told me what you did to the boys in the alley."
"Bullies. I hate those idiots who try and hurt anyone."
"You told them that you would break their faces if they touched a single hair on any cat within a hundred mile radius."
"I told them I would start with their faces."
"They haven't been back."
"Good."
"Humans are mean."
"They can be."
""You're not mean."
She smiled at him and said, "I can be meaner than anyone you ever met."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
"I didn't know that."
"Well, I love you, so you've never see me be mean."
"Jinx said you were scary."
"Jinx is sweet."
"He is, but he's an enforcer, so he can be a lot of things."
""How's the new calico doing?"
"Better. Her name is Three. She was the third kitten born and she said three is a magic number."
"It is a magic number."
"She moved in with Lolly. I think they are going to be great friends. Lolly's showing her the ropes and Three seems more relaxed."
"Bring her over tonight, if she'll come, and we can give her some catnip mice and some good food."
"I'll ask her if she wants to join us."
"I have to go. Time to water the flowers and deadhead them."
"Deadhead is such a stupid word."
"It is."
"Just say you're going to trim the flowers."
"Okay. That does sound better."
"Are you ever going to get us live mice or voles?"
"I'll see you tonight. Tell Jinx hello for me and tell him his food is in the same place as last time."
"Okay but do you think hummers will be in your yard? If they are we are going to...uh...play with them."
"I love you," she said, walking away. "See you tonight."
"Mmmmhummm," he muttered, already closing his eyes and starting to dream.
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