I sit on the tire, watching as Electra chats with her three best friends, Victoria, Jemima, and Etcetera, all giggling and fawning over the ladies' tom, Rum Tum Tugger. It breaks my heart that she's happy right now. That seems strange. But when I tell her what I need to tell her, it'll break her heart too. But this isn't something I can just skip and forget. This is important.

I pounce off the car and run over to them, not entirely prepared to say what's on my mind or for how Electra will react.

"Can you three excuse us for a minute?" I request. "I'd like to have a private conversation with my mate."

Victoria looks confused as she, Jemima, and Etcetera walk away. I don't usually have private conversations with other cats. But I can assure her that everything's fine...well, almosteverything.

"Is everything okay, Misto?" Electra asks with a look of profound worry in her round, huge, beautiful green eyes.

I look down in shame before finally answering with, "I just want you to know that I love you, Tortie."

"Where is this coming from?"

I swallow hard as she nuzzles me. I want to tell her. I have to tell her. But her sadness is more than I can bear. I let out a long sigh.

"The truth is," I begin. "my humans are leaving and have decided to take me with them."

I can see that this is clearly a bit of a shock to her.

"Where?" she asks.

"It's a long way from here. Far away. Some place called America, I think. All I know is, it's very far from this junkyard."

I can see tears forming in her eyes as she swipes them with her paw. I feel so guilty for saddening her. But I needed to tell her. Her spirit is so fragile and delicate and I didn't know how she would react in the first place. But if any other tom hurt her, I would do unspeakable things to them. Electra is mine and I'm proud of it.

She looks up at me with tears running down her cheeks. At the same time, I can feel my eyes watering. I gently wrap my arms around her and lightly kiss the top of her head. I look down at her sad little face and brush away the tears.

"I know you're taking this as a shock," I start. "but everything will be alright. Old Everlasting will bring us together again eventually. Please stop crying. It's okay. You know it hurts me to see you upset."

"I know," she responds. "but I don't know if you'll ever come back. I always feel so safe and happy whenever I'm with you. I just don't want you to leave."

I understand. I'll eventually figure out a way to see her again.

"I totally understand. But I'll be back before you know it. I promise."

I hold her paw and tenderly lick her face.

"I promise." I repeat. "I love you."

"I love you too."

We brush our necks against each other. I don't know we'll be together again. But I promised her I'd be back. And when I promise something, that promise is never broken.