Bettina stared at the cat sitting in the middle of the sidewalk. She shifted right and the cat followed. Shifted left, same result. Frustrated, Bettina put her hands on her hips and stared at the stoic feline. She flexed her knees and jumped left before stepping to the right. The cat stayed with her.
It’s just a jump to the left!
And then a step to the riiiiight…
Put your hands on your hips…
She shook her head. The last thing she needed right now was an earworm. Particularly that earworm.
The cat mirrored her headshake and Bettina stared.
“Wait. Can you understand me?” she asked aloud.
The cat nodded and meowed.
“Um… okay. Can you talk back?”
The cat nodded again. “Yes, when I feel like it,” it told her.
Bettina shook her head and rubbed her hands down her face. She glanced around, but there was nobody else nearby. Taking a deep breath, she squatted down next to the cat.
“Alrighty then. Assuming I’m not hallucinating… what’s your name, and why have you stopped me?” she said in a quiet voice.
“I require assistance in finding food and a domicile. You may call me Ginger,” the cat replied.
“Ginger? But… you’re… you have… black and white fur…” Bettina stuttered.
“I am aware. But the small human who gave me my human name liked the sound. Unfortunately, the big humans caring for him did not like me, so I decided to make my own arrangements for a new home, before they made that decision for me. I have chosen you,” Ginger said.
Bettina sighed and stood up. She’d always been a sucker for stray cats. “Okay, yes. You may stay with me. I live over there,” she said, pointing to her right, “about two blocks from here.”
“Very well,” Ginger said with great dignity. “I shall walk with you.”
“Right,” Bettina said, hiding a smile. Ginger hadn’t quite hidden the purr that sounded when she told him he could live with her. The cat was more worried than he wanted to let on. She decided to overlook, for now, the fact that Ginger had spoken to her. She wasn’t sure how that happened, but that was a puzzle for a later date.
******
This week’s prompt challenge came from ‘nother Mike: It’s just a jump to the left… and I’ve been singing Time Warp for a few days now. My prompt challenge went to Fiona Grey: “Dude! Those waves are gnarly!” There are plenty of wonderful responses to other challenges up at More Odds Than Ends. Head on over to check them out, and if you are so inclined, pick up a spare and join in the fun!
