The Best Through Her Eyes
It was spring and just a few days before the Jellicle Ball. Munkustrap was sitting on the back porch. Taking in the sun when suddenly Mungojerrie appeared from over the fence. "Munkustrap! You need to come quick!" Mungojerrie yelled. Munkustrap looked inside and saw Angel Paw was fast asleep. So he went. There at a street close to the junkyard was Rumpelteazer, Mistoffelees, Pouncival, and Jellylorum. They where looking into the junkyard. Munkustrap could see the fear and concern they had on their faces. He joined them. "What is going here?" he said with a strong voice. The others looked at Mistoffelees. Mistoffelees turned to Munkustrap. "A short while ago I saw Macavity. He was running to the other side of the street." Mistoffelees said. Then he said with a pain in his voice, "I saw him get hit by a car" Munkustrap's eyes grow big. "Where is he now!?!" He order. Jellylorum jumped in then. "We can't find him!" No cat wants or likes to know a car has hit a cat. Munkustrap looked around for a minute and said to the rest. "Macavity loved no one…he lived for himself only. He lived alone and now he will dies alone. There is nothing we can do." They looked at him and knew it was the way it was for Macavity. Then Munkustrap added, "If anyone finds him let me know." Munkustrap headed back home.
It was now the night of the Jellicle Ball. Angel Paw could not wait. By now she was a young fine queen. At noon she wanted to go, but Munkustrap would say "Not Yet." Finally it was dark and they headed out.
At the junkyard she saw many cats that she had already met. Angel Paw whisper to Munkustrap "Do you think my daddy will show up?" Munkustrap smiled and replied, "I don't know…I don't even know how far you came from. Just keep an eye out." Angel Paw went off and started to play with the other cats and kittens. By this time all had heard about her father. All knew he was a great and loving cat. Angel Paw even danced with Rum Tum Tugger…well that is until Munkustrap put his foot down. They sang about triumphs they had this year. Even Angel Paw had a song. To no ones surprise it was about her daddy. At one point it started to cloud up. Thought it might be over for the night, but clouds went by without dropping any water. Jennyanydot tried to show the young queens some manners, but Rum Tum Tugger was there not helping at all!
Some of the night was filled with talk. What happened to Macavity? Some say it was just one of his tricks and he will be here to cause trouble. Other would say he died and that was the last of him. There where some who thought they saw him fighting for food with some rats. No one knew for sure what had happened to him. He didn't show up last year and they hope he would not show up this year.
"Now Old Deuteronomy just before dawn, through a silence you feel you cut with a knife, announces the cat who can be reborn" Munkustrap was announcing, but he stopped. Munkustrap saw a shadow coming into the junkyard. Old Deuteronomy who was smiling at this time stopped. He looked up and as he did Skimbleshanks started to turn around smelling the air. Soon all the cats turned around. The smell was unmistakable. It was Macavity. Here a very broken up Macavity join into the junkyard. Some cats could not look at the mess of a cat he was now. Others could not believe he would dare show himself at the Ball. The cats sat away from Macavity with their backs to him. Angel Paw was sitting next to Munkustrap with her back to Macavity. Old Deuteronomy waited for Macavity to speak, but he did not. Instead he was searching with his eyes. Macavity laid on the ground, and with one arm held himself up. He was dying.
At this time Angel Paw started to sniff the air. Slowly stood up. Munkustrap looked at her oddly. She turned around and smelled the air again. Then a glow came over her face. She began to smile. Angel Paw walked slowly towards Macavity. Munkustrap tried to hold her back, but she pulled forward. She got on her knees and looked into Macavity's eyes. A big warm smile came over her. By this time the other cats where turned around watching. "Daddy?" She said softly. Macavity slowly looked into her eyes. He smiled at her. He put an arm around her and said, "See…I told you I would see you again" All the other cats could not believe their ears. This is Angel Paw's father. The strong loving father she so loved and missed. Slowly they began to see him in a different light. There was something they had never seen that Macavity held inside himself.
Then Angel Paw tried to lift Macavity to his feet. As he struggled to stand Macavity suddenly felt a strong arm take hold of him. It was Munkustrap helping him to his feet. All these years of fight meant nothing now. Macavity was a little surprised by Munkustrap. The next thing he knew Alonzo was smiling and helping him. One by one the cats helped him stand and walk with Angel Paw by his side. Before Macavity knew it he was in front of Old Deuteronomy. Old Deuteronomy looked into his eyes and smiled. It was then it hit Macavity. The cats…ALL the cats where choosing him for the Heaviside Layer. Old Deuteronomy bowed to him, then put a arm around Macavity and started to walk him to the Heaviside Layer walk way. He was going to be reborn. A chance for a better life. But his kitten! What about his little Angel Paw. Macavity turned around to see Munkustrap standing by her. He was strong and a good tomcat. No better cat could protect her throw life. He could leave knowing she would be safe. Angel Paw leaned up to her father and touch nose to nose. "Bye bye daddy" she said in a soft voice. He kissed her and left for the Heaviside Layer.
Through her eyes they had seen something none of them would ever believe. Through her eyes they saw the best of Macavity.