Bella Page 3

  I am learning more about age in Humans.

  He looks at Karen, at me, and then his glance sweeps around the room. He is like a cat checking his territory.

  ‘Hi,’ he says, tentatively, ‘I’m Aron...my doctor sent me.’

  Karen smiles at him and says, ‘I have the letter from Dr Pierce, Aron. Please make yourself comfortable.’

  ‘Hello Little One,’ he says to me in his sad, but kind voice. I purr as he pats my head.

  ‘My cat’s name is Bella,’ Karen adds.

  He sits next to me on the carpet with his legs crossed. I sense the darkness around him and his unhappiness.

  ‘How can I help you, Aron?’ Karen asks.

  I watch him scratch the soft fur on his face and his attempt to hold back tears. He does not speak yet. To comfort him, I jump into his lap. He runs his fingers through my fur and sighs. As I snuggle up to him, I notice that he smells different to Karen and most other Humans – a strange, vegetable smell, nothing like the scented catnip Karen plants in my garden.

  Karen waits patiently for him to speak.

  At last, his words tumble out. ‘Things aren’t working out for me.’

  I listen, and try to understand why he is unhappy.

  ‘My dad is an engineer working on rail projects. Due to dad’s work, we’ve moved home six times and I’ve been to four different schools.’ Aron wipes away his tears with the back of his hand. ‘I’m just beginning to catch up with a class and find a few mates when dad says we have to move again.’ He sighs again. ‘It’s tough going and I’m not handling it. Lately I’ve been smoking a lot of grass.’

  It must be difficult to keep moving home. I wouldn’t like it either. Having a place of my own is extremely important, but we cats are survivors and adapt.

  It is sad that so many of the young Humans who come to see Karen have a sick spirit. When we cats are sick or sad we hide in dark places until we feel better, and then bounce back.

  I wonder what grass is. What a pity that Humans don’t like catnip.

  He keeps stroking my coat, as he stares out of the window before speaking again. ‘Things aren’t going well at home. My parents have been yelling at each other for months. Mum bursts in tears, and then dad bangs the door and walks away. They can’t sort it out, so they’ve decided to split.’ He stares at the carpet while continuing to stroke me almost automatically. ‘A split may work out better for them, but it won’t be easy for me. To make things worse, they’ve asked me to choose which parent I want to live with.’

  ‘That’s a tough one and not fair,’ Karen says.

  ‘The truth is, I don’t want to live with either of them. I’d prefer to stay with my sister and brother-in-law in the city. They’ve said that they would be happy to have me...that is, with my parent’s permission.’

  ‘As hard as it is, you’ll have to talk to your parents. Being honest with them will be best for everyone in the long run,’ Karen says.

  ‘I’ve had enough, and I don’t want to be involved with my parent’s problems any longer. I’m sixteen and it’s time I had a choice.’

  ‘But, they are your parents, and they care about you. If you move in with your sister, they will want to know details – costs, if you’re going school or looking for a job, and about your safety…and that’s how it should be.’

  ‘I guess you’re right.’

  ‘It may not be that easy. So, if you have difficulties sorting it all out you’re welcome to come to see me again. Or, perhaps ask your parents to come along, and we can have a family session...discuss things together.’

  Sad Cats! Aron is still a kitten inside, too young to make such difficult decisions. He needs more help. We cats live with our mothers until we are ready to leave. Mostly we don’t even know our fathers.

  He strokes my head again. ‘Thanks Karen. I’ll have to see how things work out. I’ll probably be back to see you again, with or without my parents.’

  He pats the top of my head and says, ‘Bye, Bella,’ and leaves.

  I like my job. It is interesting, and if I help to calm troubled Humans, at least my life has purpose.

  It is night when I pass the velvet armchair, I call Samantha’s chair. Out of respect, I do not try to rub away what is left of her scent. Though she still visits her old territory and watches Karen, it is time she left. This is my house now.

  Tony adored her, I can tell. When Karen mentions her name, his face goes soft, his eyes misty. I am sorry that I have taken his beloved cat’s place.

  There’s nothing I can do to change Cat Fate!

  Underneath Tony is sensitive and caring, but he conceals it. Though Karen is gentle, she is far tougher than him...and she makes all the important decisions.

  I wake from a sleep feeling peckish, and go to my bowl in the kitchen. In the moonlight, I notice a slight movement on Samantha’s chair. A pale, shadowy image of a cat stands tall and proud. Only her eyes glow. I remain silent and motionless, aware that she is watching me. She does not move either. There were moments while I was with Karen, that I sensed Samantha’s spirit hovering. Now that she is here, I am not afraid of her presence. She is doing what most cats who were attached to their territory and owner do. She is checking her territory before handing it to me. Perhaps she was staying close to Karen because she loved her, and could not leave her. Or, she is ensuring that I care enough about Karen, and that I am treating her well. She may even be warning me to look after her.

  She knows that when we give our love to a Human, it is forever.

  I don’t know how long we are together in the pale light. Patiently, I stay with Samantha until she leaves. A slight breeze, a curtain ruffles, and she is gone. I wonder if I will see her again.

  I am in the kitchen searching the floor and bench tops for bits of spilt breakfast. Tony and Karen are messy eaters. I find a slither of delicious meat. Then I go to my food bowl. Karen has filled my bowl with new, disgusting, food pebbles. I spit them out all over the kitchen floor and make a pile of yellow vomit on the carpet.

  That will show her! The new food is revolting!

  Meeyuk! I refuse to eat inferior or foul tasting food.

  Later Karen sees the food on the floor...and my vomit. She sighs deeply and stares me, but she does not shout at me.

  That’s a positive about Karen. She isn’t angry if I vomit.

  ‘What’s wrong Bella? Either you hate the food or you’re sick,’ she says.

  I run and jump to show her that I am well. Instead, I sit and stare fixedly at the cupboard, where she keeps the tasty dry food. Then I move to my empty food bowl and wait. She nods.’

  She has received the message.

  ‘Oh, so you’re being a princess again! You are telling me that you hate the cheaper brand of food I bought you and it makes you feel sick. I should’ve known that you only like the best.’

  Absolutely!

  She laughs, goes to the cupboard and moves things about inside it.

  ‘You’ll like these, I’m sure,’ she says, pouring new larger pebbles into my bowl.

  My nose quivers at the fishy smell. I want to rush to try the food, but I hold back, not allowing her to think I am too keen. Now that’s what I call food! I only hope she doesn’t try to give me the cheaper brand again.

  Computers must be very important to Humans.

  Karen is working on her computer again. If she isn’t listening to people’s troubles, she is sending letters on her computer. Then there are all the phone calls she makes too. When she completes her work, she goes to the kitchen for a quick lunch. She has only a brief Catnap after lunch, and I am usually next to her while she rests. Tony is on his computer a great deal too – after work until dinnertime, and on the weekends. Some evenings they are both too tired to talk or cuddle on the couch.

  I hope that they will have a kitten soon, but I think they are too tired to make one.

  While Karen is busy in her office, I sleep.

  I dream of handsome, male cats that parade past my garden fe
nce. I call out, flirting with them, and they try to look big and bold to attract my attention. They call to me, but I ignore them. I am sad that I can no longer have kittens.

  I wake and stretch.

  Fat Rats! Karen is still busy on the computer.

  Meeeow, meewow. Look at me, notice me, I purr loudly and touch her leg with my paw.

  ‘Hello, Treasure,’ she says in a distracted voice.

  Not good enough!

  I climb onto her desk, push her pens about and walk over her papers. Then I kick tiny silver things onto the floor to remind her that I am here. I nudge her arm until she makes an error.

  ‘Stop it, Bella! Get down!’ She says in a loud, cross voice.

  I kick her papers onto the floor before climbing down. Once I am in my basket I turn my back on her.

  She can try to ignore me, but it never works. She ought to know that by now.

  At last, she finishes her work. ‘What’s with you today, Sweetheart? You know how much I love you.’

  I turn about just enough to see her, ignore her, and find a cool spot under the fan.

  My fur coat feels heavy and my paws are sweating.

  Our paws sweat when we are hot or scared, but at least we don’t stink like Humans when they sweat.

  ‘Wake up, Bella…lunch!’ She calls.

  Talk of food usually moves me, and she knows it.

  After I’ve eaten she calls me again. ‘Come, Bella, my treasure, I have something special for you to watch. I hope you will enjoy it.’

  I follow Karen to her computer.

  She fiddles with it and then pats her lap. ‘Come sit.’

  I jump up and she points to the screen. I see two adult cats and listen. They are talking to each other, Pree, prup, pree prup. It is as if I am watching them through a window. They rub and lick each other, and continue their chat. I try to join in and talk to them, but they can’t hear me. Watching them talking makes me feel lonely. I want a friend to chat with too. Karen makes them talk again and again, and strokes my head as I purr. I rub Karen’s hand with thanks, and jump down.

  I enjoyed watching them. I hope to watch them chatting again soon.

  ‘Don’t leave, Precious, I’m expecting Emma in a few minutes, and I need you,’ she calls.

  I go to my basket in the therapy room and wait. Emma arrives with her mother. I notice that Emma is a few years older than Aron, and looks unhappy. She is dressed in a black dress that clings to her curvy body. After Emma greets Karen, she sits on the edge of her chair looking uncomfortable.

  I sniff her from my basket. She hasn’t washed for a while.

  ‘How are you?’ Karen asks.

  Emma looks down and shrugs. ‘Fat and ugly!’

  I’m feline, and thank goodness for that. Whether I am fat or thin is of no concern to me. Being well-fed and healthy is important to me and most cats. She looks fine when I compare her to some of the skinny Humans who come here. A little fat is useful in times when no food is available. But, one key point, personal hygiene and cleanliness is of prime importance, and I wash regularly.

  Emma’s mother looks concerned. ‘Emma is hardly eating and she hasn’t slept for nights. She has been too weak to attend school.’

  Emma looks down. Her face is dark, her body tense and her hands clenched. ‘Okay, Mum, that’s enough!’

  She’s angry. If she were a cat her ears would be back and her tail swishing.

  ‘I think it might be best for Emma to talk to me alone,’ Karen tells Emma’s mother. ‘If you like, you can wait for her in the sitting-room.’

  ‘I prefer to wait in the car!’ Her mother says, looking upset as she leaves.

  Emma stretches. ‘Phew! She just doesn’t get it!’

  ‘Well, she’s gone now. Tell me what’s happening?’ Karen asks.

  ‘I haven’t told her yet that I’ve broken up with my boyfriend, Steve. She makes such a fuss over things. Steve and I were together at the start of high school.’

  ‘So, why did you break up with him?’

  ‘He found someone else...a girl he liked better. I’ve seen her picture. She is thin and pretty...and I’m a fat, ugly lump. No wonder he dumped me.’

  ‘I’m sorry that you’ve broken up,’ Karen replies. ‘Guys his age can be like cats and roam.’

  I doubt that Emma is fat and ugly, but how can I tell? Most importantly, she is miserable and dislikes herself. It’s a pity she won’t confide in her mother.

  She looks down and tells Karen that someone made nasty remarks about her on Facebook. Tears dribble down her face, and Karen passes her tissues.

  I am sorry that Emma is unhappy, but I won’t go to her. She hasn’t acknowledged me. Perhaps she doesn’t like cats, and that’s her choice. A pity that she is upset about her boyfriend, but there are so many males out there. We female cats don’t need to stay with one for long.

  Karen and Emma talk for so long that I fall asleep. When I wake, they are still talking about Facebook, whatever that is. Emma has stopped crying. She promises to do the homework Karen has given her to help her change negative feelings she has about herself.

  I hope that whatever Karen suggests will help Emma.

  As she is about to leave, Karen says, ‘Try to talk to your mum. She’s worried about you...and she probably understands more than you think. She was young too.’

  I can’t understand why Humans often feel negative about themselves. So many who come to Karen for help dislike themselves. We are proud of our Catness. We put ourselves first and like ourselves, or we will not survive. It is important for us to worry about things like guarding our territory, eating sufficient and keeping safe.

  Karen is on the phone again. She is busy constantly apart from a few breaks.

  I leave her and forget about the many distressed young Humans. I go through the special door into my garden. It is large enough for a long run. Part of my garden is grassy with flowers that I have nibbled. It has many shrubs, half a tree, and a tall scratch pole. They cut off the top layers of the tree to make it safe, so I wouldn’t be able to climb too high, fall or have trouble climbing down. At the back of the garden next to the wall, is a covered place where I can rest and sleep in the heat, or find protection from wind and rain. My poo and pee area is nearby. When Tony erected the high fence around my garden, he ensured that dogs and tomcats could not scale it to attack me. Its height also prevents me from escaping. He cleverly added a locked gate for Humans to enter.

  I am grateful to him for creating my safe, beautiful garden. If loud, barking dogs come up to the fence, they are no longer a problem. I jump up, slip my claws through the wire, and scratch them. It does the trick. He planted many flowers and shrubs – far more than necessary. Perhaps he was trying to please Karen. Through the fence wire, I am able to chat to my friends, Brown Cat and Little Grey. There is always a lot to say, but we want to play together. I hope that Karen will open the fence gate to let them in soon.

  At times like this, when the bushes are showing off their colourful flowers, many birds fly into my garden.

  Cats Alive! Of course, I try to chase birds and other small outdoor creatures. Cats hunt and always have. It is a natural part of our lives, though Humans have trouble accepting it. We are small, but powerful predators. Our mothers teach us to pounce, chase and hunt from an early age. It upsets me that I’ve had no luck at all with catching birds. Karen interfered with nature by putting a little bell on my collar. She insists on it being there, and as much as I shake my head and meow for her to remove it, she refuses. Just when a bird is near enough for me to pounce, the silly bell tinkles to warn the bird, and it flies off. It is unfair, and extremely frustrating! I am sure that the birds laugh at me. Just imagine, the disgrace – a cat that can’t even catch a bird!

  I head for the trunk of the half-tree and scratch again and again until I have released my frustration about hunting for birds that that will never be.

  The hot weather makes me lazy. I am relaxing for a few moments and then I will star
t my exercise circuit. I shoot up the half-tree to the top, and then race around the rest of my garden three times. But first, a sniff of the special grass, Catnip, that Karen plants for me. Breathing it, or rubbing the leaves on my body, puts me in a happy mood for the day.

  What is that! I notice something moving. close. very slowly. Ha! It’s a lizard! Gotcha! Snap its head off! A present for Karen! I carry it inside carefully and drop it at her feet. I close my eyes and say ‘I love you.’

  Karen is not as pleased as I had hoped.

  She bends to stroke my head. ‘Thank you, Bella, my treasure. I know that this is a special gift. You’re treating me like a Cat Mama, and showing me how well you can hunt for your food.’ She smiles and pats my head again. ‘Sorry, my sweetie,’ she says, as she wraps the lizard in paper and throws it into the garbage bin.

  Karen tries to cover her yawns this morning. After lunch, she lies on the couch for a nap. She is so tired that she sleeps until the doorbell rings it’s loud song. She jumps up, smooths her hair, puts her clothes in place, and rushes to open the door.

  She says she doesn’t need me all afternoon. Even though she is busy, she is seeing Humans who dislike cats.

  There are lots of them – Humans who dislike animals or are dog lovers.

  When she has finished her work, she is too tired to cook dinner.

  Cat Alert! Karen is working too hard and too long, and doing too many different things at once. She doesn’t take enough time for herself.

  Humans like cats become stressed and even sick, if they do too much. We avoid creating our own stresses – an important rule of Catness. Dogs, nasty Humans, cold weather and lack of food create more than enough stress in our lives. We grab every opportunity to relax and sleep to fortify our bodies and remain in top condition.

  She phones Tony to bring dinner and leaves food for me. Then, she goes to her room, and falls asleep on the big bed with me lying next to her. When Tony brings her a plate of food, she wakes. They have a long conversation about her tiredness. Finally Karen agrees that she is working too hard, taking hardly any breaks, and doing no exercise.