Kitties' Happy Days

Purr…

I stretched and let out a long meow, snuggled in the cozy bed my human had made just for me—pure bliss, absolute comfort.

Mine was the best human in the whole wide world, no doubt about it. They were not only stunningly pretty, but kind and gentle too. I’d been a tiny, abandoned kitten when they found me, and they’d raised me ever since.

Who’d take in a stray alley cat? Especially one as scrawny, sickly, and plain-looking as I was back then. Nothing like now, with my sleek ginger and black tabby coat, plump and sturdy all over. Every she-cat in the neighborhood preens and meows sweetly for my attention, and I can’t even be bothered. Heh, I snickered to myself.

“Tabby, c’mere—dinnertime.” Oh, that angelic voice of my human’s.

I let out a soft, spoiled meow and padded over to my food bowl.

“What a good boy.” My human stroked my smooth fur, smiling warm and soft.

Love me forever, okay? I’ll always be your good boy. I meowed again, quiet and obedient.

My human glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s getting late. I have to go. Be a good boy and guard the house, don’t run off anywhere, alright?”

I meowed once more, head bowed as I nibbled my food, and the front door clicked shut behind them.

I lifted my head and scanned the room—empty. Hahaha, freedom at last!

Told me not to run off? As if. I’m in my prime, for crying out loud—how could I not go find a cute little mate? Don’t you worry, human, I’ll find the prettiest one of them all. My heart raced with excitement at the thought.

I nimbly leaped onto the balcony, and trotted straight to the neighbor’s balcony like I’d done a hundred times before. I’d already had my eye on someone, anyway—the gorgeous cat from 702 across the hall. I’d been head over paws the second I first saw him. He’s not much of a talker, just sits and listens quietly while I serenade him, chattering on about my human and all our little days together.

Mei, I’m here! I meowed, calling his name.

He was curled up on his balcony, and he lifted his head through the glass. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and he meowed softly—You’re here?

I missed you so much. I purred and meowed, pouring out all my longing. I dreamed of you last night. I wish we could live together, always.

Mei’s terrified of strangers. Besides his human and me, he barely gives the time of day to any other cat. At my bold confession, his cheeks flushed (as much as a cat’s cheeks could flush), and after a long moment, he let out a sweet, syrupy meow—I missed you too. That one little sound had my bones practically melting.

His voice is lovely too, clear and bright—truly one of a kind! A cat that can have me head over heels like this? He’s special, of course. My human’s so beautiful, a designer too—I’ve picked up their good taste, you know? Rubbed off on me. I’d never settle for anything less than perfect.

“Mei? What are you meowing about? Hungry?” The sound I hated most in the world cut through the air—Mei’s human, that annoying guy with the buzz cut.

Sure enough, he stepped out onto the balcony a second later. He wasn’t that bad-looking, tall and somewhat handsome, but I’d never liked him. Why? Because he ruined the one chance Mei and I had to get close—yelled out, “Mei! What’re you doing with a tomcat? You’re a boy too, y’know!”

It had broken Mei’s heart. He’d avoided me for days, and it took me singing love songs to him every night, showering him with sweet nothings, a thousand confessions, ten thousand promises to make him believe I loved him—only him, no matter what. And now here he was again, that stupid buzz cut. He’s the reason Mei and I still haven’t had a real moment together. All his fault. All of it.

I stared daggers at him, but he just shrugged it off. “Oh, it’s the tabby from next door. Back again, huh? Told you a hundred times—Mei’s a boy. Go bother some other cat if you’re in heat, you little flirt.”

Pfft. Pfft, pfft, pfft! As if I didn’t know Mei’s a boy? I don’t need you telling me that! I love him, boy or not—back off. If you make him cry and he won’t talk to me, I’ll scratch your eyes out. Ha, he’s leaving! Smart move, running off fast. Stay any longer, and I would’ve pounced.

I let out a flurry of angry meows, loud and sharp. I didn’t care if the buzz cut understood a word—Mei had to know how I felt, or he’d think I was backing down.

Seeing how worked up I was, Mei was as gentle as ever. He reached a paw through the glass and brushed it softly down my back, meowing a quiet, calming little sound—don’t be mad. I believe you.

I met his beautiful eyes, warm and full of affection, and all my anger melted away, replaced by a rush of warmth. I meowed, low and urgent, circling him, rubbing my body against the glass, desperate to be close.

Mei… I want you so bad… Mei, please? Mei… Mei…

A soft meow answered me.

Mei’s cheeks flushed as he scurried into his bed. That was such an obvious hint—if I didn’t make my move now, I’d be the dumbest cat alive. In the blink of an eye, I darted into his nest and we sank into a soft, sweet embrace…

Ah… pure bliss. Mei was so gentle, his body soft and yielding to my eager advances. All my youthful desire, all the fire in my veins, poured into the one cat I loved more than anything in the world—Mei!

Afterward, I groomed Mei’s fur tenderly, purring out an invitation. Mei, will you come live with me? My human is wonderful, they’ll love you for sure. I’ll take the best care of you, save all the tastiest bites just for you. Come live with me, I never want to be apart from you again.

But my heartfelt meows fell on deaf ears.

He nuzzled my head gently, his purr soft and sad. I can’t. My human is good to me. I can’t leave them.

What? Rage flared in me. Your human or me? Which matters more? You’re mine now! I love you with all my heart, you know that. And you won’t even live with me? You don’t love me at all.

Mei panicked at my anger, letting out a flurry of anxious meows. You big fool, that’s not it at all! You won’t even let me explain.

Fine, talk. I meowed, my tone sharp but softening.

My first human wasn’t the one I have now. Mei met my eyes, his voice quiet as he spoke of his past. I was a tenth birthday present for a little boy. But all he’d ever wanted was a bicycle. When he got me instead of his beloved bike, he hated me—not loved me. So he was cruel to me, whether the grownups were watching or not…

Sadness clouded his beautiful eyes, deep and heavy, and my heart dropped. I reached out a paw and stroked his back gently, my anger melting into regret. Mei, don’t be sad. I know you’ve been through so much. I’m sorry, I was being unreasonable. Don’t be mad at me.

Meow. Mei nuzzled his head into my chest, his soft purr vibrating against me, and rubbed his body against mine in comfort. It’s over now. My human saved me, takes such good care of me. And I have you by my side. I’m happy, truly. I can’t leave them, Tabby. Can you understand?

I nodded, my heart aching. What else could I say?

I was a cat, after all. I knew exactly how he felt about his human. My own human was all alone in the world—how could I ever leave them behind? At least we lived close by. That buzz-cut guy might have a sharp tongue, but he’d never really stopped Mei and me from being together. For now, this would have to be enough.

Chapter Two

My human would be home soon, so I had no choice but to leave my beloved Mei. He groomed my fur slowly, his touch full of reluctance, and that look in his eyes—so sweet, so unlike any other cat’s—made my blood rush. I almost gave in, almost pulled him close again, but time was against me. Sighing long and hard, I forced myself to turn and leap onto the balcony. I’ll come see you tomorrow, I’ll miss you, my love.

Mei’s reply was soft and tender, full of longing. I’ll miss you too. Hurry home, your human will be here soon.

I hardened my heart and jumped back onto my own balcony. I’d barely curled up in my bed when I heard the front door unlock.

Meow! I let out a quick, bright meow—telling my human I was home, that I’d been good, that I hadn’t strayed an inch.

Sure enough.

“Tabby, you’re right here. Such a good boy.” They set down their armful of things, knelt down, and stroked my chin, their fingers brushing gently over my sleek fur. “I’ll give you a little treat tonight. What do you want?”

It felt wonderful, but my heart was still with Mei. We’d only just parted, and I already missed him like crazy. I meowed again, looking up at them with big, pitiful eyes. I’m lonely.

No one knew me like the human who’d raised me since I was a kitten. They didn’t miss the sadness in my voice. “Are you lonely all by yourself here?”

Meow! Precisely. My wonderful human. I nuzzled their palm, my purr soft and spoiled.

They sighed and sat down beside me, their voice quiet. “Lonely, huh. Me too.”

Guilt washed over me. If I was lonely alone, so was my human. I had Mei now, but they didn’t even have a girlfriend. They were lonelier than I could ever be. How could I have been so selfish?

I meowed softly, nuzzling their hand, and curled up at their feet. I’ll stay with you, human. I’ll always be good.

…

Today was a perfect day. Mei’s buzz-cut human was out for the day, and I seized the chance to invite Mei over to my place. I pulled out all my most precious treasures to pamper him—my favorite feather, the soft ball that crinkled, the shiny bell my human had given me once. He just smiled softly, watching me dart around and show off each one, and when something caught his eye, he’d bat it around gently with his paw, his tail flicking in amusement.

Mei was a year older than me—fully grown for a tomcat, but he was just so beautiful.