'Speechless'

Chapter 4: 'Free'

To me, there's no greater or better word in the world. I'm going on twelve now. Still, I have not changed in my appearance being a little spotted harbor seal pup. It's good to see that it's not just kind old folks that are helping others like me, but whole cities. To me, the greatest things are a small cardboard box marked 'FREE', and a food bank at a church

I'll never forget that old tomcat named 'Charlie'. If I ever do find him again, I'll thank him properly. Although I have to wait one more year to be 'legal' for consent, I am going to wait another year after that before I start shopping around. I came to the mountain village of Lake Puma. I'm now over 350 miles away from MegaKat City. I'm never going back

This was one of those rare days that things are going right for me. It didn't rain, and there were no cars speeding through puddles to give me an unwanted shower. There were no cops or security guards to shoo me away from properties for loitering. It was a nice little mountain town. I was just passing through. No one was giving me the doubtful glare

As I kept traveling on my own, my bag of supplies grew. I now have a small cooking pot which hangs on a carabiner on my bag, and a few books of matches in the side pockets. It seems like these folks are used to drifters passing through. I was going through one of the neighborhoods when I spotted a newspaper dispenser converted to a tiny food bank

'Jackpot' I thought to myself

'Let's see what we got here'

I walked up to it to see what foodies it holds. There was a can of cream-style corn, a few bags of pasta, some CLIF bars, and a couple boxes of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese dinners. I smiled, and took the can of corn and the two boxes of Kraft Dinner. They went into my bag, and I left the town. From a distance from Lake Puma, I found a perfect spot to rest

There was a small cave not too far from the lake, and a few small rocks leading out to the water. I threw a small rock into the cave to see if anyone was there as the afternoon was drawing to a close. The cave was empty. I went into the cave, and began to make a fire to cook dinner. I decided to have the creamed corn for dinner. To me, this is a feast.

It maybe a simple thing, but to me the smell was heavenly. As the food cooked, I stared at my duct tape wallet, and stared at the tally marks that mark twelve years of my life. I am thankful, and blessed for each day that I've been alive. Within a few minutes, it was ready. I ate well until the sun began to set. I went down to the water to wash my pot out

'I might stay here' I pondered

'This is a place to call home'

My old tube of toothpaste is on it's last legs. I have lost count of how many I've used on this journey that seems to have no end in sight. As the sky was painted with patches of purple, orange, and yellow. I looked to see the sleepy little town turning the streetlights on, and the lake is going dark. Now was my chance to take a bath. The area looked clear

I sat down, and took off my clothes in the small cave before I walked out to the lake. The leaves are soft, and the twigs break beneath my small feet. I leaped from rock to rock before getting to the last one of the three. The rocks are smooth to the touch. It's best to avoid them on the way back. I rolled my ankles that ached from long miles of walking.

Heck if I know. Yet this little body, this two-color grey fur, and all these dark-colored spots on my fur. This is me. I'm not offended by the fact that some folks that pick me up off the highway eventually find out that I can't talk. It warms that they aren't like the seal I once called 'mom'. They smile, and treat me as a pup must be treated, and not bully me

At the edge of the rock, I raised my arms up to shoulder height, and fell back into the water. I shook my head as I surfaced, and caught my breath as I swam around and went underwater. These are those times where I fell like I don't need anyone. That I'm in my own little world, and it's a wide open place. The rocks look safe. So I hoisted myself out.

'I made it, 'mom',' I thought

'I made it without you, I don't need you'

After a brushing of the teeth, I crouched down and cleaned my brush in the lake. I walked back to the cave. I find it funny that I can feel the little jiggles of my butt when I walk around naked. I don't have a care in the world. I covered myself in a fleece blanket that is folded, and rolled up under my bag. I went to sleep that night. I'm ready for tomorrow

The next day, I didn't bother to put on clothes as I walked the pebble beach of Lake Puma. I crouched down on my knees to get a drink of water. I looked over at Phoenix Island in the middle of the lake. I feel like it'd be safer if I moved my stuff to the small island. The question now is how do I get there without damaging my bag, especially not my food

I got an idea. I went around the woods surrounding the cave to see what I can use. I came across an old tree that probably fell a long time ago. This might work. I gripped, and pulled at a large piece of bark. Seeing it's large, boat-like shape and the fact I travel light, I took my stuff and placed it in the bark before I pushed it out into the water. It floats.

The boxes of Kraft Dinner were in the cooking pot to make sure they don't get wet. I went into the water, and dived in to swim toward the bark, and push it along until I made it to Phoenix Island. It worked. My bag was a little wet, but my food was perfectly dry. The next thing to do is to search the island, and find some shelter. It should not be too hard.