McKinley

It was almost 6 o'clock and Harm weaved his way through traffic. An empty and quiet evening lay in front of him. Mac had a date with friends and there were no files to be read. Maybe he would … He slowed down. In front of him a red light flashed, indicating a fire engine had to leave base and come to the rescue in what ever calamity was happening. But there were no flashing red lights or blaring sirens so it couldn't be that serious. Harm smiled. Seeing a fire engine always bought him back to his childhood. Of course airplanes were the most interesting and important but cars, especially fire engines came in a good second.
He drove on, seeing the red ladder truck in turn right on the next corner.
He drove on, seeing the red ladder truck turn left on the next corner.
He drove on, the red ladder truck still in front of him.
He frowned.
Then there was a red traffic light and he lost sight of the red beacon.
A few minutes later he turned into his own street. Immediately he noticed the large red ladder truck. It was hard to miss and what was more, it was right in front of his own building, surrounded by neighbours and a lot of kids. Now alarmed he parked as fast as he could and almost ran to the scene of action.
A fire fighter was already mounting the ladder. It was directed to a ledge under the windows at the third floor. There, almost invisible against the grey stones and clinging on was a small ball of fur.
Harm worked himself through the crowd to the first row. "McKinley, what the h*ck are you doing?" he muttered.
Up on the ladder a fire fighter now reached the little calico cat and carefully grabbed her by the scruff of her neck. With one hand he clutched the kitten against his breast while he slowly and carefully started to descend the steps. But McKinley didn't like it. She started to wrestle and the man had a hard time keeping the kitten in position. An indeed, before long McKinley had managed to free herself and claw her way to the man's shoulder. And there, sitting half on his shoulder and half on his neck she rode the way downstairs where Harm was already waiting for her.
He lifted his ward from her saviour's shoulder and placed her on his own. The kitten made an attempt to seek an even higher seat on Harm's head but Harm was quick to discourage her. She was a little too heavy for his liking now.
"Shame on you, McKinley! How did you come out of the window?" He turned to the fire fighter. "I'm very sorry for the inconvenience."
"Don't worry. We have to save cats from ledges all the time. You would be surprised to learn how small a hole they can get through. Or what kind of trouble they manage to get themselves into. What did you say his name was?"
"McKinley."
"McKinley, that name does suit him. Or her?"
"Her," Harm confirmed.
"Is she yours?"
"Yes. For the moment, that is."
The fire-fighter raised his brows in a silent question.
"I was cat sitting my neighbour's cat Mac when I found out she, the cat, was pregnant. So I ended up with taking care of mum and seven kittens. That was about 14 weeks ago and since Jennifer isn't coming back yet, we agreed I would look for new homes for the kittens. I'm keeping one and four are already gone so she and her sister are the last two to re-home." Harm explained. "Why?"
The man removed his helmet and reached out to shake hands. "Let me introduce myself. I am John Lookout Mountain."
Harm's eyes widened and he had difficulty keeping a straight face. John chuckled "It's okay to laugh." He shrugged. "Heritage from my native American great-grandfather."
"Harmon Rabb," Harm introduced himself.
The other man went on "my daughter had a bad accident two weeks ago and has been in hospital since."
"I'm sorry. How is she?"
"Thank you. She is doing much better and will be home in a few days. But for now she is in a wheelchair and rehab will take some time. My wife and I were talking about getting her a pet to keep her company."
Harm frowned. "It's not that I don't want your daughter to have a cat but if this is a spur of the moment decision, just because of her accident, I don't know..."
"I appreciate your concern. But Cindy loves animals. She is going to be eight in a couple of weeks and since she was four, pets have been number one, two and three on her birthday and Christmas wish lists. First it were a pony, a dog and a cat but since we explained a pony would not be happy in an urban backyard and we are not allowed a dog in our house it has changed to a cat, a rabbit and a hamster. Mary and I were already talking about giving her a kitten for her birthday. We think she is old and responsible enough now. You are welcome to check, if you like. Or I can give you my commander's phone number, he will testify for me."
Slowly Harm nodded. "I will like that."
"Do you have a piece of paper?" Harm turned towards his car and came up with a note pad. John scribbled down two phone numbers and an address. "This is my contact information and this is my boss'. Can I have yours?"
Harm gave him his card.
"If I call tomorrow evening, will that be all right? Anyway, Cindy has to be home first."
Harm nodded. "I'll keep McKinley for you and await your phone call," he promised.
His colleagues had been busy pulling in the ladder and were ready to go, so John reached out to scratch the kitten, still sitting on Harm's shoulder, behind the ear. "I hope to see you soon, McKinley."

Indeed the day after there was the expected call. McKinley was very welcome in the Lookout Mountain family. In the meantime Harm had contacted John's boss and the man had assured him John and his wife would take good care of the kitten. As in all fire stations, the men of Engine House 3 were a close knit group and had supported John and Mary as best as they could. Since John and Mary had had a lot of expenses, the commander told Harm his crew would give Cindy food and bowls, a litter box, a blanket, in short everything the kitten needed, as a welcome home-present.
So on Friday evening there was a knock on the door. In the hallway stood a slender woman, approximately 35 years of age. "I'm Mary Lookout Mountain," she introduced herself. Harm invited her in.
"I'll get McKinley for you," he said looking around for the little cat. He found her on the highest bookshelf playing book end. Harm smiled and reached up.
"Come down, your new landlady is here to collect you."
McKinley rose, stretched and walked via Harm's arm to his shoulder. He picked her up and handed her to Mary. The kitten scrutinized the unfamiliar face but then decided she liked it. Out came a little pink tongue and she licked Mary's cheek.
"You're so cute. Cindy will love you!"
She cuddled McKinley for a moment, then coaxed her into the carrier she brought with her. Harm had the bag wit the vet's papers ready.
"I agreed with John we would visit in a few weeks to see how she is doing. Probably with Jennifer, the owner of Mac and 'grandmother' of the kittens."
Mary nodded. "John told me. You are welcome." She lifted the carrier. With one finger through the wire Harm scratched McKinley behind the ear for the last time and then he held the door for her and Mary. With a smile the woman left.
When Harm had closed the door behind her and turned around Lady Macbeth and Mackenzie ribboned through his legs. Only two kittens left, all of a sudden the apartment felt very empty.