Cursed
The cat slashes his long black tail casually like a wizard waving his wand. Joe Morelli trembles like an autumn leaf and hopes and prays frantically that the cat won't eat him, and almost screams in terror and frustration as he realizes that he has been thinking like a real hamster. What has he done to deserve this? Helplessly he asks himself. He is a hardworking, devoted police detective. He is a good man, good son and good driver. He is also Grandma Bella's favorite. All he ever wants is some real happiness. All he ever wants is a home, a wife, and a bunch of kids. All he ever wants is to take Ranger's place at the altar and marry Stephanie...
"All you ever want is to trap a woman in a web of lies and rob her of her love and happiness?" The cat's beautiful shining eyes bore into Morelli's soul like a pair of sleek sharp knives, his serene silky voice now a dangerous, tempting whisper.
Joe Morelli can not speak, suddenly feeling small and unworthy. He tries to look away but fails as a powerful wave of shame and guilt swallow him whole. Selfish. He's being selfish. He was so desperate that he chose to be selfish. He never ever stopped to think if it would hurt Stephanie. And it's not just about his love for her, he finally admits. It has very much to do with his envy and jealousy of Ranger—the man who's 2 years younger than Morelli but already has what he will never achieve. The fancy cars. The perfect body. The sharp enterprising mind and the courage to face his destiny. Joe Morelli lowers his head in grim defeat. He wants to cry. He wants to laugh. He wants to convince himself that it's all but a dream. But he knows there's no escape from this cruel unreal reality. And he wonders where Rex is...NO! It can't be! Stephanie's pet hamster can't be inside his body! Or can he?
Joe Morelli looks up at the cat in silent pleading and shrieks and squeals in overwhelming panic like a rodent that he now is as the cat gives him an eye roll and says in a bored tone, "Yeah, impossible is nothing."