17 December 2014
"I better put some biscuits out, in case the cat comes around today." Nancy told John Paul who was sitting at her kitchen table.
"Which cat? You don't have one, do you?" He asked her, confused.
"No, I don't, but these last few weeks this strange cat has been what should I call it … visiting me most days. He's not moved in, but he's usually in around this time begging for food. I don't really know what human food's suitable for a cat so after a few days I just bought some dry cat food to have." She poured some cat biscuits into a bowl and put it on the floor. "So, what are you saying," she returned her attention to her friend, "you threw him out?"
"Yeah… no… not really threw him out, but told him to go. He did, but said that he's not giving up. I don't know what to do. I'm so confused, Nance!" John Paul laid his hands flat out on the table.
"Duh!" She exclaimed. "You get back together! You've been crying for him for two years, been through a crap relationship with creepy married guy, and you'd even decided last week to stop him at the airport. I don't know what you're thinking – it's a no-brainer, John Paul. You're just creating problems for yourself, postponing the inevitable. More coffee?" she asked.
"No thanks. I'm good. Perhaps you're right. I need to give it a go. I guess, I'll never put him behind me if I don't see what will happen this time around. There've just been so many disappointments over the years." He sighed.
"That's life, John Paul. Nothing's perfect. Not even Craig. And not even you, for that matter," she added. "He loves you and you love him. It's simple. You both have loved each other for years. You made a mess of it back then but this is another day, another year. And he wants to be with you, here, in front of his entire family. That's something new!"
"I know, Nance. And I do feel that he's different now. I mean, he didn't try and fight me last night when I asked him to go, just told me calmly that it wasn't over and that he'd be back. Then he left. Usually he'd try to win me over, kiss me, tempt me with sex, but yesterday he didn't. It felt … serious, I guess." John Paul flinched in shock as something touched his ankle.
"Oh, the cat's here." Nancy said, noticing the sudden movement across the table. She looked down and watched the cat approaching her. "Come here, kitty-kitty." She reached out her left hand to touch it.
The cat ignored her hand and continued its journey across the kitchen floor towards the bowl of cat food.
"Oh well. Just eat then!" Nancy said in mock insult.
Suddenly there was a loud meow from the cat, which then came running towards its hostess.
"What's wrong, kitty?" Nancy asked in a baby-voice. "Wrong kind of food?" She rose to her feet and went to check the bowl.
It was empty.
She turned to John Paul, a bewildered look on her face.
She didn't notice the eye watching her from the small slit on one of the lower cupboards. The cat did, let out a loud growl and jumped on the door.
"John Paul in?" Craig asked Myra who'd come to the door.
"No, he's out, love. Said he'd go see Nancy after work. He should be home soon, though. He won't leave Matthew waiting for long. You wanna come in and see him?" She opened the door wide as she took a step back.
"Cheers. That would be great." Craig replied gratefully. Seeing his son playing in the living room he called out his name. Matthew looked up from his toys and smiled at his father before returning his attention to the book he was holding.
"A book-worm like your dad, ay?" Craig joked as he sat down on the floor next to the boy. "You wanna show daddy Craig?"
Matthew held out the book and started talking in a language Craig couldn't really understand. He listened, though, and said 'yes' and 'no' at what he believed where the appropriate places.
Suddenly Matthew slammed the book in Craig's lap and said clearly, "Ree boo!"
Craig took the book and asked, "Do you want daddy Craig to read the book?"
Matthew nodded and climbed up to his lap and sat himself there.
Craig showed his son the cover page and read aloud, "Mr. Brown can moo! Can you? Can Matthew moo? Daddy can moo. Mooooooo!" He imitated a cow. "Can Matthew moo?" He asked his son.
"Noooo." Matthew attempted.
"Uhmmmmmoooo." Craig repeated, emphasising the M-sound. "Matthew?"
"Mmmmoooo," Matthew tried again.
"Yes, well done, Matthew!" Craig cheered. Then he opened the book and started reading.
A few minutes later he closed the book and looked up at John Paul who was standing in the doorway. Craig knew he'd been there for a while, as he'd heard the door open.
"Hi John Paul. Funny book, right?" He asked, hesitantly.
"It is," John Paul replied noncommittally. "You're good with him."
"Cheers. That's good to hear." Craig let out a quiet sigh of relief. "I came back as I told you last night."
"So you did. Okay, Craig. We better talk. You wanna go for a walk? We can take Matthew for a short walk before teatime." John Paul suggested.
"Sure!" Craig replied quickly. "I'd like that."