Chapter 54

Toward the end of the week John was himself again except for the occasional sniffle. Billie had her moments of discomfort or dizziness but never became fully ill. The two were in and out of the apartment, he spending time with the guys and likely getting filled in on the robbery plans, while Billie often stayed with the women. When it was the three of them, Jane, Mairy and herself, she and Mairy still had little communication. Billie wondered if they would ever be on good terms.

It was the morning of her birthday. John had insisted they celebrate, having already planned the night full. It got to the point where Billie felt guilty declining, but secretly, some part of her was very much excited. It would be an adventure, like all things involving John. It would be a night solely for her, John had pointed out, in her honor. How could she miss that? Really it would have been quite easy to decline, Billie shy and hesitant when forced to be the center of attention. However, it was more John's contribution, the night out his gift to her. Until then Billie hadn't expected any more presents.

John came into the apartment excitedly, making a bit of a racket. He was grinning, searching for Billie who had her hair in rollers, preparing for the evening. "Hey doll, I gotcha somethin'."

She turned to him, looking extra nonchalant in comparison with his eagerness. "What?"

"Go sit down," he nodded toward the couch. "I have a surprise for you."

Billie narrowed her eyes, apprehensive. He didn't have to shower her with gifts and expensive nights out, but he did, and though it was unnecessary it was utterly flattering. Not to mention she did enjoy herself and all the things he gave her. She walked slowly to the sofa, eying him suspiciously half the way. It was then she took note that John's hands had been behind his back since entering the apartment. He instructed her to close her eyes and she did, a moment later feeling the weight of him sit upon the sofa with her.

She heard a strange, high pitch squeal before John said, "Open."

Her mouth dropped. There, sitting between the two of them, was a kitten. The initial cuteness and splendor that came from seeing a baby animal up close overwhelmed her, Billie reaching out to touch the cat. It was a small bundle of tawny colored fur. It opened its mouth and released a sound, she again hearing the squeal and now knowing its origin. It was perhaps the most beautiful cat she had ever seen, something unique and almost strange about it. Finally it dawned on her when she held the kitten, it still squeaking lightly.

"Johnnie, this is a bobcat!"

"I know," he grinned. "You like him?" Billie looked between John and the cat, confused but charmed. "He's yours, if you want him."

She opened her mouth to speak but failed several times. Her birthday gift was this kitten, but the animal she held in her lap was not a house cat. It was a predator, and a fearsome one in its own right. When confronted in the wild people generally stayed clear of bobcats- they did not bring them into their home. However, John never did anything like other people. When she looked into his eyes there was nothing insincere showing; it was not a joke. John stood by his offering completely, seeing nothing strange about it.

"I love him, but... This isn't like owning a cat," she tried to talk sense into him, a game she would never win.

"Well, no, but-"

"He could tear us up," she continued, the little animal still in her lap rolling and stretching and generally being irresistible. "The furniture...our clothes...can you even box train a bobcat?"

John chuckled. He could see the way Billie held the cat that she already adored him and was a bit fascinated with the idea as well as apprehensive. "Sure, doll. He's young enough, he'll learn."

John didn't at all mention the physical damage a large cat could do. Even if he was being optimistic he couldn't completely deny there were risks. The two of them had been referring to the cat as a "he" and Billie turned and twisted the kitten, examining. He was indeed a male and his teeth were still white, his ears relatively clean. She began warming up to the idea of keeping him, her voice softer as she asked John where he'd gotten the cat.

"Found him in an alley, right outside. Pete was with me and I already planned on giving him to you. I got some stuff and hid him in their apartment, so you wouldn't know, but Mairy was afraid of him. He ended up spending a night at Red's."

Billie giggled. Already she liked the kitten a great deal more if he could frighten Mairy. Maybe that would keep her out of their apartment. Billie wondered what a bobcat was doing in an alley and John explained that he found it just as strange, all the more reason he'd scooped him up. John had searched the area briefly, assuming that the mother or other kittens were somewhere close by, but he'd found nothing. For whatever reason the cat was abandoned and John couldn't leave it alone. It had been friendly, not only to himself but Pete and Red and all the other people it came in contact with, the cat's agreeable disposition another pleasant surprise. The kitten was starting to purr as Billie continued to hold him and scratch his neck.

John knew, by the kitten's contented purr and Billie's smile, that the animal would be staying. He was pleased with himself for not only finding the cat, though that was just luck, but that it gave her such happiness. "You're gonna have to think of a name."

She met his eyes and gave him a look, the mutual understanding passing between them joyously. Through the quiet Billie had accepted his gift, thus pleasing him on many levels, and a whole conversation had been skipped but uttered in just a glace. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, embracing him warmly, the kitten letting go squeaks as it was lightly pressed between bodies.

"Ketapanen," she uttered close to his ear.

John pulled back enough to see her eyes, smiling. "What's that mean?"

"I love you." She hugged him again, her voice wistful. "Ketapanen. Je t'aime. I love you. In every language, I love you." He grinned but only until Billie kissed his cheek, letting her kisses move to his mouth where they lingered with his a few sweet and passionate moments. John didn't want to let her go but when they did part he kept a hand rested on her waist. Billie picked up the kitten and snuggled him, standing and carrying him into the next room. John watched her go, his eyes still twinkling from her kiss.

"You're not gonna pay him more attention than me, are you?" he called. "'Cause I'll put him right back where I found him."

Another empty threat. All John heard was Billie laughing before a door closed between them, Billie continuing to get ready for the evening.