The Catting Hour
Simon rolled around in bed, then finally after some minutes rubbed his eyes and sat up. The clock had just struck 3:33 AM. The moon was full and strobed white beams through his bedroom window. Faintly he could hear voices speaking. He rubbed his head. The voices grew a little louder. It seamed like they were coming from his floor. Simon slung himself to the side and squinted looking down to the edges of his bed for the voices then he crawled to the front and looked down.
Mr.Muffins, his American short hair blond fur, sat in the moon beams in the middle of his floor.
“By Joe, did they ever find those blasted mice? I heard Chester over on 45th street was having a hard time” The voice was deep, raspy with a heavy British accent. Like a old school butler from those old 60’s movies.
“Nah, hes still chasing his tail all over the place” A childs voice answered back.
Simon popped up from his bed “Muffins, who is that? Do you hear that ?”
Mr.Muffins turned to Simon his big green eyes brightened. “Poppycock, I knew we should of met somewhere else”
Simon stared at Mr.Muffins. “You?”
“Hello Simon, welcome to the cats circle” Mr.Muffins said.
Next to Mr.Muffins two cats materialized into semi see through apparitions. Simon gasped.
A big Norwegian Forest Cat with fur of light blond and black shook its long hair and licked its nose. “Hello Simon” It said in a soft female voice. He recognized this cat. Four years ago a cat had crept onto his families porch and refused to leave for a week. So his mom kept it around, fed it and gave it water for a whole month. Simon would sit on the porch in that mid summer and watch the cat come and go. A rare breed for middle America, he imagined that its owner had gotten lost and the cat was out looking for them. He took to giving it treats until one day it never returned. He had called her Tempest. Her fur was long, light blond and black and her attitude was fierce and noble like. She had principles, but with a side of wilderness.
Next to Tempest was a very small cat. Barely two years old. It’s tail was a small bob and it’s fur gray and black. Simon got off his bed and sat next to Mr.Muffins.
“Tempest your….” Simon held the word in his throat.
“Dead?” Tempest said.
Simon bit his lip and held back tears “Yeah” he croaked.
“Oh boy” Mr.Muffins side eyed Simon “You humans are so ignorant”
“Muffins, be nice” Tempest.
“Whats he talking about?” The small cat spoke up.
“Humans think the world revolves around them. Things go and just poof. No longer relevant or exist anymore. If only they would get out of their own heads and open their eyes. Be aware” Mr.Muffins sounded like he snorted behind the statement.
“That means you are dead too?” he looked at the small cat.
“Berry, call me berry.” The cat loafed and began purring. “Yeah, I was out there hunting some dinner. Fish. I almost had it”
“It was a killer whale, Berry.” Tempest gave the Berry a look.
“Well, I almost had it. Then it dove and I refused to let go. As I said, almost had it”
“Good show boy, you have to show those floppy things who’s boss”
Simon stuck out his hand and reached out to Tempest. As his hand touched her ghostly body it went right through, but did not disturb the apparition. “I’m so sorry to what happened to you. How are you here?”
“Oh Simon, not to worry. I found my owner and we spent a moment together because of you and your families care for me for that short while. I didn’t have much time left anyway. I needed just a little strength to get me there and your moms chicken helped me the last leg of my journey.” Tempest straightened up and blinked, her ears flicked back and forth. “See there is something like the witching hour for cats. It is 3:33 in the morning, who knows why, but we cats can usually come out and talk to other cats at this time. We usually don’t meet with humans, not good to meddle. One thing is that we are always around. We never really leave you Simon. You gave us shelter, food and kept our spirits up. So we keep an eye out on those who treat us well. We might be small, but we can help you out from time to time. “
“Really?” Simon looked at Mr.Muffins. “That means when you-?”
“Yes, Simon, even I, will come help you out. As much as I- ” Mr.Muffins scratched his right ear “find you humans incredibly foolish. I have yet to have an owner in my many lives treat me poorly.”
“Many lives” Simon patted Mr.Muffins head and he purred in response.
“Sorta reincarnation, you humans do it too. By Joel, you ever have deja vu or memories that don’t seem to be yours? Well your young yet, maybe not too many of those, but you will. I once sat on the lap of a grand British general in the Great War you fools had. I smoked many cigars” Mr.Muffins closed his eyes and rose his nose to the air, remembering a different era. “Now, I chase those infernal creations out side with the bushy tails. Much more peaceful if I say so my self”
Simon straightened up “Explains the accent then. You can do this every night?”
“We can only be full form in one place at one time, so we pick and choose the location for the night, but yes, technically we could every night “ Tempest licked her paw and started cleaning her face “But we can only remain for a short time and our time is up for tonight.”
Tempest and Berry moved towards the window and with a silent motion leapt through the glass to the roof top outside. Simon moved quickly to the window with Mr.Muffins thumping up onto the shelf to look out as well.
“Till next time Simon. Muffins, regular time?”
“Of course, no better time. See you then you long haired devil”
Tempest narrowed her eyes and shook off the remark “Come on Berry”
“Bye Simon! Tell that fish if you see it that I’m still coming for it”
Simon waved and the two cats seemed to dissipate into white moon dust. Tears rolled down his cheeks. This time from relief of a bigger universe, this time not for a good bye, but for a see you later.
He rubbed his eyes and looked over at Mr.Muffins. The cat gave him a gruff meow and head butted his arm. Simon smiled “Only during a certain time huh? Well if you need something wake me up, okay?”
Mr.Muffins rubbed himself against Simon, gave another confirming meow then jumped off and exited his room.
Simon returned to his bed. Till next time.
I have had a lot of pets in my life. It is always a tough time when they have to leave us, but thinking about how everything seems to be apart of something I feel as if they never really leave us. I had this idea last year. I was up late at night and thought about the witching hour, but what if it applied to pets, this case cats. It seems like an appropriate time to finish this story.
Feel the wisdom of life they give us with their departing, but remember we are all apart of it all. Connected. No matter what form.
Cheers!