Jalapeño
He stays put and doesn't give in. He can tell by her voice that she's getting impatient and frustrated. He knows she wants to leave. He wishes she can stay. He loves her, but he can't go with her. He feels bad when she crumbles to the carpeted floor by the king size bed and starts crying. He doesn't know what to do. He always hates to see her tears. He's never ever meant to hurt her, but he has to do the right thing. He really, really has no other choices. He has to stay where his heart and loyalty are. And she's not the one he loves the most in this world...
So he remains where he is while she wipes away her tears, and watches her go. Deep down in his heart he knows this is the last time. She won't be back. She can't stand and doesn't want this life. She has had enough. All the worries. All the secrets. All the fights. All the make-up sex. Because sometimes love is just not enough. He hears the sound of the front door being locked. He gets out from under the bed and rushes to the window. The cab driver puts the suitcases into the trunk. She gets in the car and closes the door. She turns to look at their home as the car drives away. He's not sure if she sees him or not. "Don't go!" He finally feels panic and cries out.
But it's too late. She's already gone. Her ruby wedding ring lies quietly on the bedside table. The house is eerily empty though he can still smell her sweet perfume. He sits by the window and starts to wait. He listens to the loud silence and soon falls asleep. The sky is already dark when he wakes up. He's hungry but has no appetite. He waits, and waits. He sees the familiar black car stop at the curb and runs immediately to the front door. He then meows out all his loneliness and sorrow when the door opens and the light goes on. He purrs like a little princess when Papi picks him up and holds him tight. Papi knows Mama has left them, he suddenly realizes.
They eat their late dinner in silence. He sits on the lid of the toilet when Papi takes a long cold shower. And that night he sleeps on Papi's muscular chest, trying all he can to keep Papi warm and heal Papi's soul. He can't help feeling sorry and sad. He loves his Mama with all his heart, but Papi is the one who killed the bad man and saved his life. And he couldn't let Papi come back home from his mission to an empty house. He just couldn't. He closes his eyes and wishes he can cry. The both of them fall asleep when dawn finally comes.
He's Jalapeño Santos, Lester's cat. He weighs 10.5 pounds and has no fear. And his great adventure is just about to begin.
