Chapter 10
Flashback: November 21, 1991
"Did Val like the birthday gift I sent her?"
"Yes, she did."
Rita and Penelope were now just relaxing in their simple, but comfy apartment after having a long day at work. They were actually supposed to have the day off, but both felines were called in at the last minute because the manager needed extra help.
Despite the fact that the felines had a long day, it wasn't too bad. The customers were considerate and polite. The co-workers were also considerate and polite. Even the elderly janitor, who was usually in a grumpy mood, appeared to be in a sunny moon on this particular day.
Rita and Penelope were in their living room playing cards when Rita asked, "What time is it?"
Penelope glanced over to the clock. "It's a quarter to midnight."
"Time past that quickly?"
"We worked today, remember?"
"Oh, that's right." Rita yawned. "I must be really tired."
"You look and sound like it." Penelope agreed.
Rita stood up from the couch where she and Penelope were sitting and said, "I'm going to bed early tonight. I want to stay up longer, but it just seems like sleep wants me to surrender to it."
Penelope rubbed her eyes. "I'm not far behind you. I'm going to bed too. Good night."
"Good night." Rita said tiredly as she walked backed to her room.
Having her own room was one of the many things Rita enjoyed about this apartment. She even had her own bathroom. Sure, it cost money, but to both Rita and Penelope, it was worth the cost.
Rita had just turned off the lights and was lying in her bed when she thought she heard some grunting and moaning noises coming from next door.
Rita just assumed that her mind was playing tricks on her. She was tired after all.
However, the noises kept on going. This time they sounded louder and more intense. Rita thought she heard a female feline moaning.
"Damn kids!" Rita muttered under her breath. "Can't they see a chick has to go to work in the morning?"
But the noises still kept on going. The female feline was moaning even louder than the last time saying, "Oh George! Gimme ya best shot! Oh!"
Before Rita could react, the male feline said in a husky voice, but was loud enough for her to hear said, "Sexy Mitzi!" He grunted for a minute. "You drive me wild baby! You have the sexiest eyes!"
"You have the sexiest voice!" the female gasped. "Oh!"
Rita was trying real hard not to burst out laughing.
The female feline's moaning was getting louder and louder by the minute.
"Oh, George! I feel this…uh…" She hesitated. "This strange feeling, but I don't want to wake the neighbors-"
"The hell with them! The louder, the better your royal highness." He said in a seductive tone.
"The hell?" Rita thought to herself.
"Oh! Oh! AAAAAAAAAAH!" the female moaned very loudly. There was some painting afterwards.
By now, Rita couldn't hold her laugher any longer. She bursts out laughing.
"Hey! Who's that laughing!" the male voice said while catching his breath. "I come over there and kick your-"
"Sweetie!" the female voice began in a seductive tone. "Don't worry about it. Let me put your worries away."
After a couple of minutes, the noises stopped.
"Looks like somebody is going to get some great sleep tonight." Rita thought as she closed her eyes. She also couldn't help at the fact that the voices sounded eerily familiar.
The Next Morning
"I'll be in the lobby waiting." Rita called out as she closed the door to their apartment.
"Okay, I'll be there in about 10 minutes or less." Penelope called out from the apartment.
Rita was on her way to the stairs when she heard someone calling out, "Wait!"
Rita turned around to see who said it.
It was a female feline who was dressed in business attire with a lab coat. She was also wearing glasses. She was also the same height as Rita, but an inch or two shorter. There was also a youthful and familiar vibe about her.
Rita could also tell that she had a rough night just by looking at her facial expression.
"Thank you so much," the feline said as she was close where Rita was standing. "I'm already running behind sechulde."
"No problem."
When they were finally at the lobby, Rita couldn't help but asked, "Aren't you Miriam, George Mendoza's wife?"
The cat was taken somewhat aback. "Yes I am. And you are-"
"Rita Fredericks."
"Oh Rita!" Miriam hugged Rita. "It's so glad to see you. I didn't know you lived here."
"I do. I been living here for about six months." Rita thought for a moment. "I thought you and George had a house."
"We do, but there was something wrong with the A/C unit. They just use to move here until things get settled."
"Oh, that sucks."
"Yeah, but I guess we have to go with flow."
Rita was a secretary for both George and Benny when she was working for the studio about two years. She knew George and Benny personally and also knew both of their wives.
Miriam and Rita were just standing around talking when out of the blue, George appears and .puts his arms around Miriam's waist unaware that Rita was nearby.
"George!" Miriam exclaimed. "You startled me!"
"Of course I did Mitzi!" George said huskily while his arms were around Miriam's waist. "Maybe if we didn't have to go to work so soon, we could do this." He begins kissing Miriam's neck.
Some folks were now staring at them. Even though Rita could tell Miriam enjoyed it, Miriam got back to her senses and gently pulled away from George's embrace.
"Not now honey! But we can later."
George suddenly notices that Rita is snickering.
"Hey lady! What the hell-" George then recognizes her. "Rita?"
"Hello Mr. Mendoza." Rita said formally in a comic tone.
"You live here too?"
"Yeah. For six months now."
George looks at his watch. "I guess me and Miriam should be going. I talk to you some other day." He leaves.
"It was nice seeing you." Miriam said following George.
When Penelope finally came to the lobby, Rita exclaimed, "I finally know who the culprits who were behind last night's activities."