For as long as I can remember, I have been an outcast from the Jellicle Tribe. Yes, I live in their yard, hunt on their grounds, and breath the same air they breathe, but I simply don't exist to them. I am the outcast, and I have yet to know why. I don't know who my parents are, whether they live, or if they are at Heaviside gates, looking down upon me. All I have is my memory. I don't even know how I can possibly remember what I remember, but I do. I see her in my dreams every night. I am snuggled up against a warm body that I know belongs to my mother. I feel myself drifting away from that warmth, that love, and being placed on the solid, cold, wet stones of the yard. Uncertainly, I gaze up at the queen's face, looming above, and coo softly as she gently kisses my tiny paw and then my forehead. Tears fill her amazing emerald green eyes. She lifts them to the gates of the yard, eyes blazing with a mixture of fear, anger, and sorrow. Then her eyes return to me. She stares at me for a long while, then touches my forehead. Her voice and words fill my head.
"I love you little one and I'm sorry I must leave you here. You must know I love you. You're my life, my heart, and my soul, but I can't take care of you. I will leave you this memory of me. And I will leave you your name. Your name, my little one, is Demeter." Then there is a soft sound from behind me. My mother looks up and fear distorts her pretty features. "Goodbye Demeter. Always remember I love you. Remember." And I do. I can never forget. The dream slowly trickles away, like tears cry one too many times. Oh mother, I miss you so! Why did you leave me? Why? Suddenly warm arms' circle me and I feel safe. I smile through my tears at the tom I love. I know I shouldn't be doing what we are going to do, but I don't care anymore. Why should I? They won't care. No one will.
"I love you little one and I'm sorry I must leave you here. You must know I love you. You're my life, my heart, and my soul, but I can't take care of you. I will leave you this memory of me. And I will leave you your name. Your name, my little one, is Demeter." Then there is a soft sound from behind me. My mother looks up and fear distorts her pretty features. "Goodbye Demeter. Always remember I love you. Remember." And I do. I can never forget. The dream slowly trickles away, like tears cry one too many times. Oh mother, I miss you so! Why did you leave me? Why? Suddenly warm arms' circle me and I feel safe. I smile through my tears at the tom I love. I know I shouldn't be doing what we are going to do, but I don't care anymore. Why should I? They won't care. No one will.
