JELLICLE BALL 3

"Tugger, I'm sorry..."

"Save it, Mother." Yes, Mother was there. Mommy Griz. She was talking to me and I was talking back.

"Please, forgive me... I just... wante-"

"You just wanted to explore the world. I know. My mate told me." I turned around and looked at her. Her eyes full of plead. She really wanted me back.

"Mate?" She smiled. "Who is it? Bombalurina?"

"Ugh. No Mom." She smiled a little wider. "Quaxo. Quaxo's uhm... a... tom." Her smiled went back to a smaller one. "Why are you smiling? Aren't you ashamed of it? That your son's gay?"

"No. I know that you love him. I could see it in your eyes. And I believe that he loves you too... as much as I do." I took in a deep breath then I let it out through a big sigh.

"I..." I felt tears falling already so I ran to Mother and gave her a hug. "I missed you so much Mom." I sobbed.

"It's okay Tugger. I missed you too..." I felt her tears on my shoulder.

We stayed like that for a few more seconds then we let go. I looked at her as she looked at me. "Tugger, I love you so much."

"Me too Mom, me too."

Mother and I talked for a few more minutes. I asked her a favor, that I'm going to act that I still hate her even if I don't. Sound selfish? Yes. I know. But she said it was okay anyway. I hugged Mother for the last time before going back to the clear.

I passed through the back to surprise them all, but then I saw Macavity and Munkustrap fighting so instead, I his behind the pile of wood beside the TSE 1 car.

Tugger. psst, Tugger. Can you hear me?

Yes, yes I can Quaxo.

Ok, good. Can I ask for a favor?

Anything for you.

Can you sing me song? An entrance song?

Entrance song?

Yes.

Why? Where are you anyway?

Here, inside our den.

Why?

Getting ready, duh.

For?

Ugh. For me to ruin Macavity's plan. Now, can you? But use Mistoffolees as my name, not Quaxo. Oh, wait. Mr. Mistoffolees.

Mr.? Seriously? You're not even old yet.

Just do it. Please. I sighed.

Ok. Wait, what about lyrics?

You'll figure it out. I sighed once more. I looked at my right and saw that Macavity was there. Oh My God. He got two broken wires and put them together causing the lights around the junkyard to spark and suddenly it went dark. The only source of light was the thingamagig Pounce got from Tumble.

"Macavity's not there...

We have to find Old Deuteronomy..." Everybody whispered.

Tugger, go.

"You ought to ask the magical" , the light was turned to me, "Mr. Mistoffolees, the original conjuring cat. There can no doubt about that...

Please, listen to me, and don't scoff. All his inventions are off his own bat." I stood up and jumped to the top of the TSE 1 car. "There's no such cat in the Metropolis,

He holds all the piton monopoles for performing surprising illusions...

And creating eccentric confusions...

The greatest magicians have something to learn from Mr. Mistoffolees conjuring turn.

And we all say,

Oh well, I never was there ever a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistoffolees.

He's quiet, he's small, he is black from his ears to the tip of his tail

He can creep through the tiniest crack

He can walk on the narrowest rail..."

Misto did his magic kadoeykathingy and brought back Father.

"Daylight, see the dew on the sunflow'r,

And the rose that is fading,

Roses wither away...

Like the sunflow'r,

I yearn to turn my face to the dawn...

I am waiting, for the day..." Jemima sang using her beautiful voice.

"Now, Old Deuteronomy just before dawn,

Threw a silence you feel you could cut with a knife

announces the cat who can now be reborn." All of us, crowd in front of Father with one paw stretched out to him... then Misto stood up. I smelled her scent too. Mother was back. Misto walked halfway to her then took a turn and headed to the tire. I went by her and did the 'ladies first' gesture, then left.

Tugger, are you okay?

Yes, why?

It's just... your mom...

It's okay. I forgave her a while ago. We're fine.

Oh. That's good.

"Sunlight through the trees in summer

Endless masquerading

Like a flower, as the dawn is breaking..."

"The memory, is fading...

Touch me. It's so easy to leave me... all alone, with a memory

Of my days, with the sun..."

"So, how was your first Jellicle Ball?"

"It was, great."

"That's good."

"I love you, Tugger."

"I love you too, Quax."

Yes, the Jellicle Ball is done. Mother was chosen to go to the Heaviside Layer. I can't wait to see her again in her new form. Quaxo and I are mates and so are Plato and Victoria.

Everything turned out fine.

This, my friends, is the last chapter.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR REVIEWS. I LOVE IT.

:D

'Til next time.