• Surprise.
    I remember that day better than any other. The face that caught my attention made me curious. She seemed very friendly and there were people hovering around her almost constantly. It would take much stealth and a clever plan to catch the woman's attention; so I hid in the alley across the street and formed my strategy as she dined in a cafe with friends.
    To pass the time and calm my eagerness, I became consumed with perfecting my appearance. My ebony hair needed some serious attention, so I ran a hand through it a few times. I was acutely aware of the woman all the while. Suddenly I realized my coat had become rather damp from sitting on the dew covered garbage cans. Hopefully she didn’t mind water the way I did.
    In an instant she was up and out the door. Her acquaintances rushed off in the other direction as she waved farewell. It was my chance to make myself known, and to hope that she’d be as welcoming as she was beautiful.
    I casually jogged across the street, darting around the puddles and in front of a yellow car. The vehicle honked so loud that the woman jumped in surprise. That was my cue! I yelled in anger and in pain as I stumbled onto the sidewalk. The driver just drove on. However the woman had seen my display, and was approaching me hastily.
    She had stunning brown eyes with red lips, and her cheeks were flushed with pink like the flowers in my friends garden. Yet the caring tone of her voice was more calming and than a nap in the sun! The woman bent down and inspected my right leg, but saw nothing. Smiling with relief, she told me it was going to be okay and offered to help me to the local clinic. I assured her with a kiss on the hand that I was fine, and gestured for some help to get up.Sure enough, the woman swung her arm around me and I pressed right into it. I could smell the lavender perfume on her neck, it was divine.
    Out of the blue I caught a wiff of salmon complimented by herbs, so I winked at her and she followed me down the street to a little seafood shack. It was closed, and she could see in my eyes that I desired something to eat. She offered to take me home with her and fix me a nice dinner. I agreed, and off we went.
    When we arrived at her house it was difficult for me to keep cool. Her home was such a curious place! Almost as intriguing as she was. She set to work making a delicate seafood plate and I made myself comfortable on the sofa in the living room. It was relaxing just watching her move around the kitchen. She was graceful, someone I could relate to, and obviously loved the same foods as me. I watched her pull a carton of milk from the fridge and poor a cup full for herself.
    I jumped from the couch and stood next to her at the counter. The dishwasher was running so I didn't put an effort into making small talk. I figured she would have a hard time hearing me and that would get awkward and frustrating.
    It was about an hour or so later when I finished the meal she had made. I never tasted anything so delicious! The woman sighed as she wandered off to her room; every dainty footstep matched my heartbeat and I tiptoed after her. The light stayed off as she crawled into the covers. Wondering where I was expected to sleep, I paced near the doorway in confusion.
    She called out and I answered with an unsure tone.
    ‘Henry, I need to sleep. Are you going to join me?’ she asked. I wasn't tired. To be completely honest, I was more nocturnal than anyone I knew. That seemed to be the only difference between us at this point. I didn't mind though.
    Entering the room in resentment I lay next to her; she threw the blanket from the end of the bed over me. I grew very warm, but it was nice and comfortable. This confirmed that I would never wake up in the morning, which was fine by me because I didn't really like mornings anyway. Her hand brushed my back, and it made me sigh sleepily. Soon we drifted off to sleep.
    The next morning I awoke in an empty bed. Sunlight poured through the blinds and warmed my face. Where had the woman gone? Stretching lazily I prepared to get up and begin my search. She wasn’t on the couch, or doing laundry, or in the bathroom (thank goodness) and I couldn't find her in the kitchen. Becoming a little worried I approached a large window and peered at the driveway and front lawn. No one.
    My stomach growled, so I went back to the kitchen to find some food. There was a bowl of cereal resting on the coffee table in the living room. Beside it was a little note. As I slurped my milk I scanned the message from the woman.
    Dear Henry,
    I am at work today, and left some food out for you. I will be getting some groceries on my way home. Take care,
    Love,
    Nancy.
    Sure enough, that afternoon the woman comes home with her arms full of groceries. I had been prowling through her closet so when the door flung open and my name was called I ran joyfully down to her. She beamed as I welcomed her, and embraced me in her arms. I could tell she had warmed up to me.
    I followed her around as she put away the groceries, hoping that she didn't get the hint I was being a bit clingy. The day had been boring for me, and now I was hungry…waiting in anticipation for the meal she would make. Quickly she grabbed her supplies and set to work. To my surprise it wasn't a gourmet dish like the night before, in fact it was a a simple tuna sandwich. I looked at her with disgust, and she apologized with a kiss.
    We curled up on the couch that evening and watched some movies; I didn't even pay attention to them. They were not really my taste, but it was enjoyable being so close to Nancy.
    Morning came sooner than I had hoped. My day was goin to be another dull, long one without Nancy at home. Once again there was a note and some milk on the table, only this time, the woman said she was bringing home a surprise for me.
    Today she came home earlier, and this time she woke me from a nap. Yawning, and a bit drowsy, I wandered after her as she returned to the front entrance. Casually she opened a door and let a hansom friend into the house. What was she thinking?! I became very insecure as this young, red haired fellow strutted past me. His marvelous green eyes peered at me with pride while the woman smiled in our direction. She seemed oblivious to his cruel glare.
    Nancy seemed to enjoy his company more than I did. He was playful and had an interesting life it seemed. He traveled a lot, and much to my relief he was only stopping by for the evening until his girl arrived back home. The entire visit was gloomy for me, and I sat hunched on a chair near the window.
    That night, after my ‘surprise’ left I decided Id go for a stroll to cool off. I returned home the next morning to find Nancy leaving for work again. She looked heart-broken that I had not stayed to watch movies with her, or listen to her read Pride and Prejudice again. My jealousy and pride seemed to be making her a bit uncomfortable and guilty; my idea of a good surprise isn't competition for a woman's attention.
    Nancy comes home from work as usual, but this time to find a surprise of her own. She had left a plate of cookies out for me to munch on if I got hungry but I never had a bite. I could hear her calling me from downstairs. I didn't run to her this time. When she walked in the room she gasped and I snuggled closer to the woman that was caressing me.
    ‘Of all the women you could be in bed with, its my mother!’ she exclaimed. I remain silent so that her mother can explain that she came to visit but forgot that Nancy had to work. She was surprised to see me, and I was surprised to see a visitor.
    I opened my eyes to see Nancy fuming at the end of the bed. At the end of her bed where we slept. She was so mad that I cared more for another woman that she grabbed me, took me downstairs, and threw me outside shouting ‘You stupid, ungrateful, horrible cat!’