I grew up on the outskirts of a small community, between two highways. Sometimes people would stop their cars, open the door and toss out...things...like...
Illustration by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Finding Su-Le
Susan and I took turns. One day we played at her place. The next at mine. That day we were skipping rope with my skipping rope and swinging on my swing.
Crash.
"What was that?" Susan asked.
"A cougar," I guessed.
"A bear," Susan guessed.
"Maybe it's a mon--."
How-r-row.
"It's coming from in there." Susan headed for the old garage.
How-r-row.
"It could be trapped."
"It might be hurt."
The old garage was packed with stuff. So we had to squeeze in. There were old boards with big nails. There was stuff with sharp corners. So we had to be careful.
Meow-r-row.
"There's something over here," Susan said. "It's small and I think it could be a--."
Meow.
We tried to go over. We tried to go under. We went around.
Meow.
The kitten licked and didn't bite or scratch.
"She's so cute," we agreed.
"I hope my mom lets me keep her," I said.
"I saw her first, Leanne."
"She's in my yard."
Meow.
"Maybe we can share her."
"That's a great idea and we can call her--."
"Su-Le," we said together.
Meow.
"I think Su-Le is hungry."
"She needs some milk."
We carried Su-Le inside.
I found a bowl and Susan found the milk.
Mom walked into the kitchen.
"Quick," I said, "We can't let her see--"
Meow.
Mom smiled and then she frowned. "Leanne, where did that cat come from?"
"I found her." I couldn't tell where. I wasn't supposed to go into the garage.
"We found her in the garage." Susan didn't know the rule.
"Please-e-e-e. Can I keep her?"
Mom patted the kitten. "We'll see."
Mom told everyone, "We found a kitten." She asked everyone, "Is it your kitten?" And no one said yes. And so... And so... That's how Su-Le came to live with me.
"But she's my cat too," Susan said.
May on this Blog...
In celebration of short story month
