The Thoughts of Two Lovers
Well, if it isn't my lucky day?
I decide to take a little sabbatical from the hustle and bustle of the city streets of Paris and enjoy the clean air and feel the grass that's green in the countryside, and what do I find but a gorgeous dame just waiting to meet the one and only Thomas O'Malley!
Just wait until I really turn up my charms and lay some of my off the cuff poetry on her. I'll shower her in compliments like flower petals, making sure to say something about those blue eyes of her. I'll score a date with her, no problem. No dame could ever resist the King of the highway, the Prince of the boulevard, and all that jazz. She's already impressed by name, just wait until she gets the full package that is me.
What a talented character, he is. . .
I do not believe I have ever met a cat like this misseur O'Malley. He is quite confident in who he is, and fancies himself silver tongued. I am only vaguely interested in his obvious advances, however. I certainly have far more pressing matter to attend to. Nevertheless, I find him quite amusing and sweet. But, it appears that he has other priorities. Clearly the presence of my children has derailed whatever plans he had for a shared diversion for two, judging by his surprised look and tone of voice.
Very well. As nice as he is, he is clearly of no help to us. In another time, another place, maybe. But all that matters now is for my family and I to return home and leave this wanderer to his fantasies of magic carpets.
I ain't a cat, I'm a rat.
This Duchess ain't like the other dames I've tried. . .and failed. . . to win over. Here we've got a genuine damsel in distress, far from home and lost. And on top of that: single mother! And those kids of her's, how can you not fall in love with 'em? Especially the one in the bowtie, what'd she say his name was? Toulouse? Ain't that a city somewhere? Anyways, the little tiger's got spunk. Reminds me of myself.
Point is, I can't just walk away from a charming little family like that without helping 'em. Besides, now I kinda feel guilty for treating that dame-that lady like some fish to be caught.
Come to think of it, I think I can make good on that promise of a magic carpet. . . or at least something close enough to one. After all, that milk truck comes by here everyday at about this time. . .
He is so very brave!
He very well could have lost his life upon pouncing upon that truck, and again he dived right into danger to save my dear Marie! He clearly did not know how to swim. Did he intend to sacrifice himself? Oh, thank goodness for those geese!
It is very well the danger of trucks, trains, and drowning has passed. Perhaps I might now think more pleasant thoughts. Such as how fond my children have become of him. His little magic trick made them so happy. Not only that, dare I say that there is a kind of wisdom within him. He certainly knows quite a bit about humans, the not so nice ones at least. He has clearly seen far more of the outside world than I ever had. He has lived alone without the care of a kind human, fending for himself, and yet Thomas O'Malley heart is not the least bit hardened or cold. Generous, brave, selfless, confident, and truly kind and caring.
I. . .have a deep regard for him. . .
It's true. I am amazing.
After what I've been through so far, I must be.
I mean, sure, with the life I lead things can kinda change on a dime. I've come to expect that. But, come on, how many things can happen to a guy all at once?
Getting caught by that drive was probably something I shoulda' expected. But then, right after that, we all nearly get run over by a train, then I nearly drown while those two geese "help" me?
But that ain't the strangest part, oh no. The strange part is that, somehow, someway, something inside me is saying that all of that stuff was worth it.
Sure, I ain't the type of guy to just let a kitten drown or get hurt, I ain't that much of a rat. And I guess I am used to rolling with punches life throws my way. But I can't remember the last time I did something crazy and said to myself, "Yeah, I'd do that again." But when it comes to Duchess and her kittens, well. . . I'm pretty sure I'd do anything for 'em, and I can hardly believe it! Yeah, she's pretty, but I've seen pretty dames before. There's something different about her, but I just can't put my claw on it.
And the funny part about it is, if Marie hadn't fallen out of the truck, that would've been it. I had already said my goodbyes, but I guess someone up there wanted me to tag along. Good thing too, considering what could've happened if I weren't under that bridge with 'em.
Huh. . . it's like they need me. . .
And I kinda need them. . .
Well, whatever. So I do a couple of death-defying heroics? I'm pretty sure I still got at least 7 lives left, anyway.
What an exciting life Thomas leads!
Oh, what fun it was to see Scat Cat and his fellow "schwingers" perform! I have never experienced such music ever before. It is just so filled with freedom and excitement, much like Thomas himself. His friends are wonderful. He is wonderful. In spite of everything my children and I have been through, being far from home and lost, the dangers of the train and the river, this experience was more or less a happy one.
It is all because of my dear Thomas O'Malley. He had selflessly guided and protected us throughout this journey, risking his life to do so! And he is just so kind and caring towards my kittens. There is a certain tenderness to him, an inner self that he normally keeps hidden. And yet here he is, revealing it. To me.
. . .I do believe I have fallen for him. How could I not? My children love him, and so do I.
Why must life be so unfair? My heart and home will always be with Madame, for the love and care we share with each other. . .it cannot be described. I could never let that go. And yet, it pains me so greatly to know that I cannot remain with Thomas. It hurts so much that I must deny my children the father they always wanted. It breaks my heart to have to hold back my tears as I turn down Thomas' offer.
And in true gentlemanly fashion, Thomas accepted my choice and did not push any further.
I did not sleep well that night. . .
Well. . . those are the breaks, I suppose.
That Duchess is a smart one, I'm sure. Of course she'd know best. What do I really know about humans? If that Madame really does care about Duchess and her kittens as much as she says, then how could I possibly break them up? I'm inclined to believe what Duchess says, and I trust her judgement, no matter how inconvenient it is for me. She did find the idea of bad humans surprising, after all, so. . .
Who am I kidding, I just gotta stop dreamin'. An alley cat like me wouldn't belong in a place like this with a Heaven-sent angel like her. But at the same time I know I could've made her happy, I know we had a spark going, I know she was the one! I've met the occasionally dame in the alleys before, and they always get their fill of Thomas O'Malley's corn before long. But right now, none of them hold any attraction to me at all. No other girl would. I'm not gonna recover from this. It's like, that Devil-May-Care castaway cat that I used to be just dropped dead or something. She is the one, but I can't have her!
And it ain't just her, it's those precious kittens too. Marie's just the sweetest little princess, Toulouse is a kitten after my own heart, and ain't Berlioz the little tough guy of the group. I swear this ain't right! We just gotta be together.
But what can I do? Force her? I'd really be rat if I pulled something like that. Duchess ain't a prize or a trophy. She's. . .special. . . and. . .well. . .
If they don't need me anymore, then I guess I'd better just live with it. It was nice while it lasted. . .
Oh my, what a blind, foolish, silly little thing I was!
Not only did I not see that boor Edgar for what he truly was, but I somehow managed to misjudge my dear Madame even as I yearned to return to her loving embrace! Of course she would approve of the one I had fallen for! A woman of her kindness and understanding and empathy would welcome my lover with open arms. How did I not see that in the first place? Why did I put my dear Thomas through so much pain? Why did I put myself through such pain?
I am ashamed to admit that as my children and I lay in Edgar's foul clutches, a small part of me feared that Thomas O'Malley would not return. Not because Roquefort would fail to reach him in time, but because I had turned him down and broken his heart. I had no doubt that it must have felt slightly worse than the heartaches I was feeling.
But no. I have seen who Thomas O'Malley truly is. He is a selfless, honorable soul that has never ceased to do right by me and my children. Who knows what horrors would have awaited us had he and his friends had not come to our rescue. Of course, I owe Frou-Frou and Roquefort my thanks as well. Anyway, my main point is that, after everything that's happened, that we've been through, and that he's done for us; how could I possibly not be with him?
When I asked Thomas to stay with me in Madame's home, I quite nearly begged him. I had to banish his concerns about his being an alleycat with the promise that Madame would love and accept him as she did me and my children. I apologize deeply for my own foolishness, and for being so blind and stupid; but what did Thomas do but ask me never to use such words on myself ever again, assuring me that everyone sometimes fails to see what is right in front of them from time to time.
Most importantly, he said none of that matter now, because he finally knew that he loved me.
. . . I love him too.
Oh, how happy my children were, running and jumping about and cheering that they finally had a father! Then Frou-Frou neighing caught Madame's attention, and she shed tears of joy as she embraced us all. Oh my, how fast it all went! And then I introduced my dear Thomas to her, purring as I stood close to my true love. As I thought, Madame understood immediately, congratulating me and thanking him for keeping us all safe.
Oh, was there ever a more happier ending!
Well, as far as humans go, Madame is sure something special.
Of course, I'd always trust Duchess' judgement, but I still couldn't help but feel a bit nervous about meeting her. But, of course, Duchess was right, and that Madame turned out to be the nicest human in all of Paris. The way she spoke to me like I was every inch the charming, dashing, heroic duke I'd always boast about being. . .which might actually be true considering what happened during this whole adventure.
Anyway, if that was comforting, then seeing her laugh and praise Scat Cat and the boys really sold it for me. This lady was one of the kind, and more than okay in my book.
I can hardly believe my life has taken such a turn for the better. I've got the most wonderful family now, all the love I could ever want, a major upgrade from the low rent district (not that I wouldn't be willing to live literally anywhere as long as I had Duchess and the kids); and what did it even cost me? An impromptu swim? A fight with a butler? I suppose there's having my fur combed on a regular basis. . .eh, small price to pay.
And hey, not to toot my own horn, but I look pretty darn good in a collar and bowtie.
. . . .
Wait. . . "future little ones"?
. . . Yeah. . .yeah, why not?
I love you, my dear Thomas.
Love you too, baby.