Callie

Callie and Charlie

  

Callie sat in her favorite crook of the orange tree.  From there she could watch the house to see who was going to move in.  It took several days this time, but eventually a cab stopped in front and an elderly man with a walker got out.  The driver put a few bedraggled suitcases on the sidewalk and sped away.

The owner of the house came down from his quarters upstairs and helped the gentleman inside to his room.  The room with only one window.  Callie’s window.

Callie jumped down from her perch and slunk into the shadows.  It was time for the feeder to bring the feral colony their daily ration of dry food and Callie wanted to get her share.  She ate with the others, but like them, she did not socialize.  She quickly went back to her observation post.

The man, Charles, was putting his things away in the large efficiency apartment.  He could get around just fine, thank you.  Stubborn and determined, he stomped his walker from one side of the room to the other.  He was angry.  His son, his only son, had no right to give him ultimatums!  He would not move in with his son’s family. 

Charles’ blood pressure soared at just the thought.  Calm down, he thought.  Take it easy.  You can’t afford to get sick now.  You’ll have to move in with that girl and her two bratty kids.  If only my son hadn’t of been in the National Guard!  Now he’s been called up and wants ME to live with his silly family.  They’ll want me to baby sit, clean, cook and be their housemaid.  No way.   Sorry.  You had them.  You raise them. 

Charles continued to stomp around his room.  Finally he was finished and had settled down in bed to watch TV.  Before he knew it, he had nodded of to sleep, leaving the room’s only window open just a crack.  Callie quietly slipped in and tucked herself under the old man’s arm.  She too slept soundly. 

The man was dreaming of his wife.  His beloved wife of over 40 years.  She had died a year ago and left him all alone, but she visited him often in his dreams.  This night she was trying to tell him something, but he didn’t understand what she was trying to show him.  He started to toss and turn and halfway woke up.  He awoke fully when he realized that there was something in his bed and he knew it wasn’t his wife! 

He sat up with a start.  From the flickering light on the still-running TV he could see this furry brown, orange and black, half-stripped and half-white tiny bundle.  She was curled up next to him softly breathing and peaceful.  He reached out a hand to touch her.  Gently he ran his finger over her head.  She didn’t move, but she did start to purr.  Charlie’s heart warmed at the sound. 

With a huge grin on his face he looked closer at her.  There was a notch in one of her ears.  Charles knew what that meant.  He had read about the Trap, Neuter, and Release programs in his hometown.  He knew they notched an ear so everyone would know that the animal had been altered.  It was beginning to look like his new friend was a feral cat!  He wondered if this was what his wife had been trying to tell him in his dream. 

Charles looked out his window.  The first hint of dawn was there.  The sky had paled and the birds were starting to awaken.  Charles got out of bed and put some water on for his instant coffee.  He was using his cane this morning, instead of his walker.  He only used the walker if he were over-tired and too unsteady for his cane.  This morning, for some reason, he was stronger.  He stood up straighter.  He smiled and that in itself was unusual. 

While he waited for the water to boil, he watched his new friend.  Charles and his wife, Naomi, had several cats over the years, so he knew that the calico was a female and that she had probably come in through the open window.  He quickly went to the window and closed it.  He didn’t want her to go back outside.  It wasn’t good for her. 

Callie had been watching everything from her position on the bed.  Now she heard the window close just as the finches had begun to gather at the windowsill where the bird feeder was.  The feeder was empty and the birds had not had their morning allotment of feed in nearly a week.  She had to do something, but she wasn’t exactly sure of just what would work for this man. 

Callie stretched, yawned and pranced around the bed a few times to shake the kinks out.  She meandered over to the tin canister of birdseed and jumped up on it.  The man saw what she did and remembered that he had asked the owner what was in the large canister.  The owner had told him that the previous tenant had fed the birds and the canister was full of birdseed.   Charles watched as the little calico jumped from the canister to the windowsill and pawed at the side of the window where the bird feeder was. 

Charles got the hint at once.  He carefully opened the window so the calico couldn’t get out and brought the bird feeder inside.  He filled it and put it back on the outside windowsill.  Then he filled a saucer with a mixture of milk and fresh water for the cat and put it down on the floor near the window.  Only then did he sit down to enjoy his lukewarm coffee and watch the birds and the calico. 

Charles had not had a pleasant conversation in nearly a year.  He had almost grown out of the habit of talking, but he found himself talking to the cat.  It was so easy.  He talked and she listened.  Perfect, he thought!  We’ve got to have a name for you, he said.  The thought Callie came into his head.  Fine!  Callie it will be.  Perfect.  Hello Callie, I’m Charlie.  It’s nice to meet you. 

They had a lovely, quiet morning.  Charles found himself in a better mood than he had been in months.  Life was definitely looking up.  He was able to watch the news without scanning every picture for his son, Charles Jr.  Little Charlie will be all right, he thought.  I don’t need to be so worried about him.  Callie brushed up against his leg and purred. 

After noon, the little room started to get stuffy.  Charles wanted to open the window, but he was afraid Callie would get out.  He had been told again and again that letting cats outside meant their death.  By disease or accident, it just wasn’t a good idea, so he was determined to keep her inside.  He turned on the room’s one fan.  It was noisy and rattled, so he made a mental note to ask the owner to fix it or get another one. 

As night began to fall, Charlie and Callie settled into the bed to watch the news.  Soon, Charles had dozed off and Callie went to the window.  She tried to open it, but it was too heavy.  She pushed and pawed at it, but it would not budge.  She began to pace the floor.  She would not, could not, be cooped up!  No.  She couldn’t take this!  She jumped on Charlie and woke him. 

Huh?  What?  What’s wrong Callie, he said.  She jumped to the window.  No, no, he said.  We can’t have this.  You must not go out.  It’s too dangerous for you.  Callie paced.  Angry.  Tail swishing back and forth.  She’ll calm down thought Charles.  She’ll be ok. 

There was a knock at the door.  It was the owner.  “I’m sorry for bothering you at this late hour” he said, “but I forgot to give you the keys to the room!”  He handed the key to Charles just as Callie slipped between their legs and shot out the door.  “Oh!  I see you’ve met our other lodger,” said the owner.  “She been hanging around here for years.  Isn’t she a doll?”  “Yes, she is” said Charlie, but I didn’t want her to go out”  “Oh, you’ll not be able to keep her in,” said the owner.  “She’s her own master.  You’ll find that out soon enough”.  We’ll see, thought Charlie. 

After the owner left, Charlie opened the window a few inches and went back to bed.  He waited.  No Callie.  He finally fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning.  He woke to the sound of the birds chattering.  He stretched, got up and filled their feeder.  He watched as the tiny birds jostled for position at the feeding tray.  He spied Callie sitting in her favorite branch of the orange tree, watching the birds. 

Will she try to kill them he thought?  No.  He watched her closely.  She was not tensed to spring at the birds.  She was resting peacefully on her branch.  As the birds finished he saw that they flew to Callie and chattered at her.  The larger birds came by, one by one, and grabbed a few bites of seed, then flew by Callie as if to say thanks. 

Laughing, Charlie thought, here I feed them and she gets the thanks.  Just like a female.  Charlie realized that he was smiling!  And he laughed!  He hadn’t done that since Naomi had left him!  Oh Callie.  Come back inside.  I need you!  Shaking his head at his own admission, Charlie sat down to watch the morning news. 

Callie didn’t come inside that day.  Not once.  He left the window open, put out a saucer of milk to tempt her.  Put her food on the ledge even, but she still did not come near the window.  What was he to do?  How could he convince her that he only meant to keep her safe?  His legs began to hurt him again.  He switched back to his walker.  His bad mood had also come back.  He growled at everything. 

Sadly Charlie watched the evening news.  Again he found himself closely watching every picture from the conflicts overseas, looking for his son.  He sat there, alone, remembering those days so long ago when Little Charlie was a boy.  Times, both good and bad, flashed through his mind.  Little Charlie’s wedding.  How proud his son was and the way he looked at his new bride.  Sally, he thought.  Yes, that’s her name.  Sally.  That’s when I lost him, thought Charles.  That’s when I wasn’t important in his life any more.   And then, just ten years later, my Naomi left me.  And here I am.  All alone.  He nodded off to sleep. 

He woke, stiff and sore from sitting in the chair.  A cool breeze was coming through the window and he got up to close it.  Then he remembered Callie.  I can’t close the window he thought.  She won’t be able to come home if I do.  Sadly he turned to the bed and stopped.  A smile spread across his face.  There she was.  Callie had curled up into a ball and was sleeping on his pillow!  He turned back to close the window.  Just as his hand touched it, Callie jerked awake and stood up.  “Its ok little girl” he said.  “I won’t close it” 

Charlie pulled up the covers to keep off the night chill.  Callie settled down next to him, her body warmth spreading through the covers to warm him further.  There, he thought.  Now things are the way they should be.  Thank you little girl.  I didn’t realize how much I needed you.  Thank you for coming back.  I won’t try to keep you inside any more.  I’ve learned my lesson.  Smiling, he fell sound asleep. 

Charlie and Callie’s days settled into a routine.  They were happy days for both of them.  The days drifted into weeks.  He had lived there for a month when there was a knock at the door.  Startled, Charlie and Callie both woke from their naps in front of the TV.  He could hear laughter and shouting.  Then more raps at the door. 

He shuffled to the door and opened it.  There stood Sally and two large children!  The two boys ran in shouting “Hi Grandpa!”  One was nine and the other was seven.  They were full of energy and couldn’t keep from picking up everything they saw, running from one side of the room to another.  Sally just stood in the doorway with a grin and quietly said “Hello Dad.  We missed you and wanted to see you.” 

“Please, sit down said Charlie.  Its good to see you.  The boys have grown so much!”   

“Yes” Sallie said.  “They have grown since you saw them last.  That’s because it’s been more than two years.” 

“That long?  Well, its good to see you now.  Have you heard from Charles?” he wondered. 

“Yes, we have and he’s doing fine, but it will be another six months before he can even think about coming home.  He’s worried about you.” Sallie said sadly. 

“Me?  Why would he worry about me?  I’m just fine.  You can see that.  I have a nice little apartment and I have my own life to live.  I don’t need to be a bother to anyone,” he said gruffly. 

“Dad, you wouldn’t be a bother.  We’ve redone the entire basement into an apartment for you.  The boys need you there.  Especially when Charlie’s gone.  They need the influence of a man around the house.  Dad, we need you.  I need you.  Charlie needs to know that you’re there.” 

The boys were chasing each other outside now, laughing and running.  The sound was so beautiful to Charles’ ears.  He could easily remember Little Charlie’s voice at that age.  Always asking questions, rarely waiting for the answer.  Always on the go.  Could I live with this commotion again?  To grab a rod and head for the canal to fish for the catfish that live there.  Two boys to teach to fish, to have a meaningful place in their lives.  His thoughts wandered over all of the possibilities. 

Charles stood up and walked Sally to the door.  “I’ll have to think about it, he grumbled.  I’ve got responsibilities.  I just can’t pack up and leave, you know.”  “I understand, but we really need you, so please consider it, won’t you?” 

Alone again, Charlie sat in the chair, thinking.  A month ago he wouldn’t have even opened the door.  He would have shouted at her to go away, like he had done before.  What has changed me, he wondered?  I sure have mellowed lately.  With that thought, Callie came out from her hiding place under their bed.  She jumped into his lap and started pacing back and forth across his knees. 

And what’s with you little girl, he thought.  What did you think of all of that?   Callie jumped down and tiptoed to the closet, nudged her nose into the crack and opened the closet door.  She jumped on one of the dilapidated suitcases, then down again and back to his lap.  Charlie just looked at her.  She did the same again.  You want me to go?  You want me to leave you and move in with them?  Callie jumped into his lap and purred into his ear.  But what will happen to you, he thought.  Callie jumped on top of the birdseed can, then to the windowsill.  She was gone. 

Callie watched from her favorite branch of the orange tree.  She saw the cab arrive and the suitcases loaded.  She saw Charlie hesitate before he got into the back seat.  He turned and looked straight at her, gave a happy wave, then, with a smile, went on to his new home with his family. 

Callie purred.

 

 

 

Callie and Sarah

 

The sound of the birds woke Sarah. Only in the early morning hours could she hear them from her small, one-room apartment. She struggled to get out of her hospital-type bed and into her wheelchair so she would be clean and neat before the Meals-On-Wheels lady came by. 

As she wrestled with her morning routine, Sarah thought. Her thoughts were usually the same, about her children, now grown and with children of their own. They're too busy to think about me. They have so much to keep up with as it is. I can't expect them to call every day or even to write. I moved to Florida to spend my golden years in the sunshine, I can't expect them to act like I was still in their neighborhood. But I miss them so much. 

Sarah had expected to make many friends in her new world and she had, but they were all gone now. Many had died and the rest were in various homes scattered across the state. She was alone. No, not alone, never alone, she thought as she heard the familiar 'mew' from little Callie. Her heart warmed and as soon as she felt the little one jump into her lap all of Sarah's depressed thoughts flew away. 

Sarah wheeled the chair to the window, little Callie in her lap, softly purring and kneading Sarah's housecoat. Sarah's hand occasionally brushed the top of Callie's head and again Sarah wondered why one of Callie's ears had a notch in it. It had been healed a long time ago, so Sarah didn't worry about it, just wondered. Her one window faced the street, a busy street in a large South Florida town. Sarah opened the window enough to take in the bird feeder. She wheeled herself to the small kitchenette at the other end of the room and refilled the feeder. After putting it back on the ledge the two of them sat there, watching the traffic go by, and waited for their first morning visitors. 

Just a few minutes later a tiny finch landed on the windowsill. Then another and still another. Shortly the twenty or so group that came by each morning was all there. Sarah and Callie watched the bird's antics and enjoyed their constant chatter. After the finches were full a few larger birds came by to peck at the leavings, then they were all gone. 

Sarah closed the window against the increasing Florida heat just as her doorbell sounded. Meals-On-Wheels was there with her breakfast, one of two hot meals they delivered every day. The kind volunteer woman chattered away, nearly as much as the finches did. Sarah petted Callie and thought how nice it was that they didn't need to talk. 

Callie had walked into Sara's life shortly after Sarah had rented this apartment. Sarah had admitted that her huge condo was too much for her to take care of, but she refused to be warehoused in an old age home. She demanded her freedom, just as Callie demanded hers. Her first day settled into the new apartment, she opened the one window. Just minutes later a tiny calico jumped on the sill, then marched herself into Sarah's life. 

The chattering woman gone and with Callie settled down to her breakfast of canned cat food, Sarah felt comfortable enough to enjoy the tasteless, drab, delivered food. It is nutritious and good for me, Sarah thought, then laughed at the look on Callie's face. It mirrored her own. That silly cat! Sarah thought. How she always knows what I'm thinking! And how much better I feel when she's around! It was only at night that Callie left Sarah; long after Sarah had fallen asleep. The window was usually left open a few inches, just enough for Callie to slip through and into the night air. 

Today was no different than any other day. Sarah and Callie watched the morning shows, then the noon news, then napped the afternoon away. She slipped into a soft, wonderful dream. Callie was waiting for Sarah to fall into her usual deep sleep, but something was wrong. Sarah had stopped breathing. Callie immediately knew what had happened. Sarah had passed quietly from this earth. Callie gave one last head-butt to Sarah as a final farewell, and then squeezed out the window.  

Callie nudged the bird feeder more securely into its place on the sill, and then set off for her favorite branch on the orange tree.

 

 

 

 

Callie and the kids

 

Callie, perched in the crook of her favorite tree, watched as the car pulled into the driveway of the two-story frame house.  The elderly man who owned the house was standing on the front porch watching the car.  He glanced over to the tree, saw Callie and said, “Lets see how you handle this one, Callie!” 

Callie watched as the doors of the car opened, all four at once.  Out jumped a pretty, young woman and three children.  A girl, who looked just like her mother, seemed to be the oldest.  Two boys, very close in age, seemed to be no more than three and four.  The boys clutched their teddy bears close to them and looked around with fear in their eyes.  The girl stood with her nine or ten-year-old head held proudly, arms straight at her side. 

“Uncle Wayne, It’s so good to see you. Thank you so much for letting us come and stay in your apartment!” said the young woman.  The owner just grunted and turned to open the door. 

“Like I said on the phone, I know its unusual to rent an efficiency apartment to four people, but we’ve got just a few problems right now and this is all we can afford” Maria explained.  The owner nodded his head and opened the door to their apartment. 

“This is nice.  Isn’t it kids?  We’ll all fit in just fine for the few weeks we’ll be here.  Thank you so much.”  Was she going to chatter forever, the owner thought?  “These are my children, the woman said.  “Julie, my daughter and Josh and James, my sons.  Kids, meet your Granduncle Wayne.” The man nodded. 

The woman handed him some cash.  He put it back in her hand, told her the first week was free and walked out the door.  On his way back upstairs, he put his head out the front door and looked at the orange tree.  He smiled.  I surely wonder what you’ll do with this lot Callie, he thought.  He could feel Callie smiling. 

While the two youngest slept on the bed, the woman and the girl unloaded the car and attempted to put things away.  They hauled out a cot and set it up next to the bed.  The room was full and crowded, but Maria wasn’t worried.  She would do everything she could to find them a nice place to live. 

Her husband had left them six months ago for a younger woman.  Shortly after that the company she worked for had closed.  She had run through her severance pay while she looked for work and she couldn’t find anything that would pay enough to keep the youngest two in daycare.  Julie would do all right on her own but Maria didn’t want to burden the ten-year-old with the care of the boys.  They were too much.  Even for her. 

Right now the boys were scared and tired.  They slept soundly, the teddy bears still clutched tightly.  Leaving the home they had lived in for their entire little lives had not been easy.  For the next few weeks Maria could expect the last of her unemployment benefits, but then there would be nothing except the small amount of child support.  It certainly wasn’t enough to live on.  So here they were.  Temporary, but she’d find something and she’d find it soon.   

Maria went over to the window to shut it.  She almost tripped over a canister sitting on the floor.  She opened it and found it full of birdseed.  She also saw the bird feeder sitting on the outside windowsill.  I wonder, she thought.  If we feed them will they come? She laughed.  Julia looked at her mom, smiling at the laughter.  How unusual!  Her mom hadn’t laughed in months.  Maybe this place wasn’t going to be so bad after all. 

Maria filled the feeder and put it back on the sill.  She fixed a tall glass of ice water for herself and Julia.  They sat on the cot and watched the feeder.  Only a minute later several tiny finches found the food.  Right behind them came the rest of the flock.  They chattered, fought, bumped each other off the feeder and chattered some more. 

Josh, the oldest of the two boys, woke to find his mother and sister smiling.  Just sitting there with smiles on their faces.  He sat up and looked at the window, the focus of their attention.  He too watched the birds and their antics.  James sat up and started to cry. 

“Hush James, you’ll frighten them!” Josh said.  James did as he was told and started to watch the birds too.  He promptly stuck his thumb in his mouth.  Julia’s smile left her face.  Reality was back and so was the sadness.  The young girl’s life contained more heartache than anyone should have to bear.  She would have to start a new school, her daddy was gone, she knew she would have to take care of the boys after school and how could she possibly live in this crowded, cramped little room?  No privacy!  No place to call her own. 

Maria looked at her daughter and saw that the sad, grim face was back.  I’ll make it up to her, somehow, she thought.  I’ll find a way to make all of my children happy again.  I just need a job.  That’s all, just a job that pays enough to save up for a decent apartment for us all.  Uncle Wayne was nice to let us stay here and not charge any more than he did, but we won’t stay for long.  My kids can’t take this. 

Maria walked to the kitchenette and opened the refrigerator door.  Empty.  Of course it is, she thought.  What did you expect, silly.  At least there were plates, glasses and flatware that they could use.  Theirs were in storage, along with their furniture.  Maria sighed.  “Its time to get something for dinner kids.  Any suggestions?” 

The boys immediately perked up.  “Pizza!!” they both said.  Julia turned her back on them and curled into a small ball.  “Julia?  What would you like for our first dinner in our new-temporary-home?” Maria asked.  “Nothing” was the only answer she received.  Maria’s temper was on a very short fuse, but she held her tongue and told the boys to get their shoes on.  They would go find something and let Julia have some peace. 

Maria and the boys had only been gone for two minutes when Callie made her appearance on the window ledge.  Julia was still curled up with her back to the world, but she didn’t stay that way for long.  Callie tiptoed onto the bed and settled down against Julia’s cold, hard back.  Julia gasped, spun around and sat up, all in the same motion.  Callie purred while Julia just stared at her.  Where did you come from, she thought.  Callie crawled into her lap.  A tentative hand reached for Callie’s head while Callie purred even louder. 

Maria and the boys came home and were surprised to find Julia had the TV on and was busy arranging their things.  All four of them dug into their pizza and pretended that they were on a picnic.  Maria kept glancing at Julia who had a very secretive smile that she tried hard to hide.  Maria didn’t know what caused it, but she was happy it was there. 

They tried hard to finish the entire pizza, but there were two slices left over.  Maria was about to wrap it up for the fridge, but she spied Uncle Wayne on the front porch.  She stuck her head out the window.  “Uncle Wayne!  Won’t you come in and share some pizza with us?  We’ve got more than we can eat.  Please?” 

The old man looked at his niece and nodded his head.  He came into the room and looked around.  “Pretty cramped in here.”  Maria put the last two slices on a plate and asked him to sit down.  He chose a place on the cot, away from the children who were all piled on the one bed. 

“That’s ok Uncle.  We can handle it.  It won’t be long before I find work and then we’ll be out of your hair,” she said laughing.  “Not worried about my hair,” he growled, picking up a slice of lukewarm pizza.   “Worried about all of you in this one room.  Need to talk to you girl.  As soon as you have a private minute.” 

“Sure Uncle.  Julia, would you and the boys go outside please?”  The boys jumped up immediately.  The sun had not set yet, so there was time to explore.  “No, not far.  You may not go out of the yard!” Maria said in alarm.  “Its ok Mom.  I’ll watch them” Julia assured her. 

As soon as they were out of the room, the old man reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a folder with several sheets of paper inside.  He opened it up and put it in Maria’s lap.  “What’s this?” she asked.  “Something I’ve had for the last five years” he replied.  Maria opened the folder and began to read.  She saw immediately that it was a deed.  A deed to this property.  And the deed was in her name. 

“I don’t understand Uncle Wayne”  “What’s to understand girl, he growled.  I deeded this house to you years ago when I made out my will.  I just never told you.  I was afraid that no-good coward you were married to would sell it out from under you.  But it’s my home and I wanted the daughter of my only brother to have it.”  The old man went on to explain to her that because he had no children and his wife had died years ago, he wanted the property to go to her. 

“But it comes with its own problems” he said.  “What problems, Uncle?”  “Me, for one.  I want to live out my life here and if we can’t get along, then we’re in trouble.  Then, the other problem is the current resident of this room,” he said with a smile.  “Huh? Said Maria.  What resident?” 

“You’ll see.  I’ll leave it up to you.  Let me know by Monday so I can call the lawyer, “ he said as he left the room, carrying the second slice of pizza.

 

 

It was a beautiful morning.  A soft mist hung in the air, just enough to soften the landscape but not enough to silence the chatter of the birds.  Julia woke, dug herself out from under the covers and the two boys.  She went to the birdseed canister and filled the feeder.  She was glad to see that the window was still open.  Maria had closed it last night, but Julia had quietly opened it again once her mom had gone to sleep on the cot.  She had done this every night for the five nights they had lived there.  As soon as everyone was sound asleep, Callie had tiptoed to Julia.  

The two of them sat in a corner of the bed and while Callie purred, Julia poured out her heart to the little cat, without saying a word.  Usually it was with just tears.  Quiet, soft tears that flowed down the little girl’s face.  She held the tiny cat close to her until she fell asleep.  When she woke, Callie would be gone, but the feeling of comfort stayed with her. 

Her mom had told her of Uncle Wayne’s offer.  Maria said that it sounded like a dream come true to her and that the children were to think about it and let her know.  Julia didn’t have to think.  She knew how she felt, but she also knew that her mom wasn’t aware of Callie.  They had never had a pet.  Maria always said that she didn’t have time to take care of a cat or dog and that they carried diseases. 

Maria stayed in the cot and didn’t move.  She smiled to herself at the thought of her daughter and the ‘room’s current resident’.  She closed the window every night and then pretended to be sleeping.  She could hear her little girl’s quiet movements and the sound of her sad sniffles.  The little cat also knew that Maria was awake and only pretending.  Somehow, she could feel Callie’s smile of conspiracy, so she kept Julia’s secret. 

Maria had talked to her uncle after she saw Julia and the little cat.  The old man had told Maria the story of the cat and the room’s troubled occupants and explained why he wanted the cat to always have access to this room.  But she’s getting old, he told Maria.  The little thing hasn’t too many good years left, same as me, so I want to make sure that she’ll always have a good home with people who love her.  “Just like me, “ he said. 

“Oh Uncle, she said.  Callie has made such a difference in my daughter’s life.  I wouldn’t dream of changing a thing!  Its like she’s found a friend.  Her very own, private, friend.”  The old man nodded his head.

 

 

It was Monday morning.  Only one week left before school started.  Maria had an interview that afternoon for a job only a few blocks away and she wondered if she was doing the right thing.  While she was getting the bowls ready for their morning cereal, she listened to the sound of the chattering birds and dusted the cat hair off of the counter.  She turned and looked at the children, all crammed into one bed.  But will we have to live in this one room?  She had never been invited into the main house.  How will they manage?  What would they do? 

There was a knock at the door.  It was Uncle Wayne.  The three children looked up at him with huge eyes from the bed.  Josh grabbed his teddy bear and James stuck his thumb in his mouth.  Julia sat there, rigid, her head held proudly. 

“Well, are you ready to move into your new home?” he asked.  The three children continued to stare at him.  He chuckled.  He knew very well that they had never even seen the inside of the house.  “There’s only one problem.  There are only three bedrooms upstairs.  One for me, one for your mom and one for the boys,” he explained.  Julia’s eyes got bigger.   Uncle Wayne turned to Maria and said “that means that Julia will have to have this room as her bedroom.  Is that ok with you?” 

Maria quietly, smilingly, nodded her assent.  There was nothing quiet about Julia!  She jumped up, gave her granduncle a hug and ran outside.  “Callie!  Callie, she called.  We have a home!  We have our very own home!  You and me!”  She flew from the house to the orange tree and back again.  Yippee!! 

Callie sat in her favorite crook of the orange tree.  You could almost feel her smile.

 

Six months later, Julia was getting ready to change from her school clothes when she heard voices outside.  The boys were upstairs watching TV with Uncle Wayne, so she knew it wasn’t them.  She looked out the window and saw Callie jump from her perch in the orange tree.  A man in a uniform was running after her and he was carrying a rifle. 

Julia ran outside.  Callie had left her only a moment ago and had been waiting for Julia to come outside to play.  Now Callie was running as fast as she could for the woods, the man close behind.  Julia ran after her. 

The old man had heard the panel truck stop outside.  He looked out the upstairs window and saw the two uniformed men climb down from the Florida Fish and Wildlife truck.  He knew that some vague law had been passed a while back, allowing the FWC free reign to shoot any feral or stray cat that was in an Avian Protected area, but he never thought it would apply to the small feral colony on his property. 

Surely not, he thought.  These cats had all been neutered, vaccinated and were fed daily by volunteers.  He knew, because he gave a sizeable donation every year to the agency that ran the TNR program.  He told the boys to stay put and he ran downstairs. 

He got out the front door as fast as he could and started shouting at the man standing by the truck.  “Stop!  No!  You can’t touch these cats.  They’re on private property,” he shouted.  The armed, uniformed man turned, looked at him, then looked away. 

Julia was running as fast as her little legs would carry her, but she was no match for the grown man.  She saw him pause, aim and she heard the shot.  Just one shot.  She screamed.  The man continued on the trail into the woods.  He never once looked behind him, not even when Julia screamed.
 
He came out of the woods, dangling little Callie's bloody body by her back legs, like a bagged rabbit.

The birds don’t sing there any more.

 

 

 

 

The end.

But it doesn't have to end this way.
Help stop the potential slaughter!
Contact Alley Cat Allies and sign their petition,
no matter what state you live in.
Thank you.

©karel bergstrom
July 9,2003

 

 

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