Don

There it was! a bunch of mini teddy bears tied together in a string. The cat dragged it by having the plastic thing attached to the bears in its mouth. I knew, that the attachments were for a crib, having endured a few baby showers at the office in my time.

Charlie did a double take on what the cat had, and looked at me with horror. Dad and Natalie were arguing in the kitchen in low voices, so I gently said to the cat

"Good job kiddo! Can I see that?" Then I told Charlie "It could be for one of Natalie's nephews or nieces. One of them might be having a kid."

The cat, seeing my eagerness, laid his prize in front of me, hoping that I'd play with her. Dutifully, I swung it back and forth a few times, then stopped to examine it.

"This seems to be for a crib..." I thought.

"Dad didn't mention anything about one of Natalie's nephews or nieces expecting a baby." Charlie's eyes grew big with worry.

"Let's not jump to conclusions, buddy." I told him.

Just then, Natalie started to leave the kitchen in a huff; Charlie, like a little kid took the attachment from me and stuffed it under the couch.

She gave us a quick hello and left the house.

After a bit Dad came into the living room to join us. He looked annoyed but tried to put on a happy face.

"Where's Natalie going?" Charlie asked.

"House call" Dad said.

"Oh…."

"Her partners don't do their share" he grumbled and sat on his recliner. The cat tried to reach for the attachment, but I gently pushed her away. She tried again, and Dad scolded her. "Leave Donnie Alone! Unlike you, he puts in a full day of work!" The cat pulled her ears back and scurried away. Not that I blamed her. Dad had used his 'I mean business voice'.

"So uh...is Natalie's cold better?" Charlie piped up .

"Not really" Dad replied, got up and said. "Let's eat dinner."

"Sure..." I went to the dining room. Dad puttered in the kitchen.

"I'll talk to Natalie tomorrow at her clinic" I promised Charlie in a whisper. Something was going on and maybe talking to her would be more useful.

Soon, dinner was served and we started to eat.

Charlie asked, at one point. "So…how's that project with the nutty cat breeder? "

"A real pain in the ass!" Dad complained. "He made me go and meet his cats. One of them threw up on my good shoes!"

"I'm sorry to hear that Dad" I told him, while stifling a laugh. I could tell Charlie was too.

"He wants to build bridges all over this room from ceiling to ceiling, that go up, down, side to side…………." Dad continued. "And he demands fire sprinklers and a special fire door opens automatically when there's a fire…..."

"Those cats seem to live better than most people." I joked.

"Tell me about it!" Dad agreed. They've each got more toys than the two of you ever did!"

"That's not fair!" Charlie put on a fake pout.

"Then just before I left, some dumbass called about wanting to build a fancy barn for his centaur." Dad ate some more.

"Aren't those the horses with wings?" Charlie asked.

"yeah..."

After dinner, we relaxed in the living room, talked and had beer; just the three of us. It felt like old times! Dad really enjoyed our company. He relaxed and laughed a few times.

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The next day, I went to see Natalie at her clinic. I was determined to find out what was going on.

TBC