Chapter 1
Divorce, the one word Patty dreaded when she decided to come out. Her husband, Marvin, had always been homophobic Patty knew but sure his wife of fifty years he would accept for who she was. The word had terrified, even haunted, Patty in the days and weeks that followed this conversation with her husband. Even more so than the derogatory language which followed. Patty was not one to stew in the badness, she needed to make a change in her life with Marvin gone from it.
Patty turned to the computer her son and grandson used for escape when they were troubled. Social media was out of the question not that it was too difficult for her to figure out, Patty just did not feel like dealing with judgemental strangers. What was one thing warm and fuzzy which brought her so much joy to watch?
Cats.
After browsing videos of kittens Patty saw that one video had a link. “Kittens in need of a home. Please click if interested in adopting.” This was it. Perhaps it was the adrenaline and dread of what she had just experienced with her divorce, but Patty decided at this very moment, at age 70, she would adopt a pair of cats.
Chapter 2
Timidly, they took their first steps into their new home. Patty let the new kittens Paws and Claws out of their kennels for the first time. Ten minutes passed, Claws zipped about sniffing each and every surface. Eventually, Claws settled on hiding behind the sagging sofa in the dining room.
Paws scanned the room, testing the carpet’s feel on his paws. Paws clearly needed some time alone. Patty, her internet research fresh in her mind, lifted Paws up with her one hand and plopped him down near her bed in another room. Paws darted under the bed for some time alone.
Patty chuckled to herself. They were both the same breed of kitten, the same age even, yet Paws and Claws had very different personalities. It livened up the house. She loved the change of pace. Fresh spring air wafted through the cottage Patty had gotten in the settlement from her wealthy ex-husband. Her new home and family, Patty mused to herself.
Chapter 3
When it came to petting the new kittens Patty discovered Claws was more open to affection. Claws was much more outgoing than Paws. Claws sniffed every nook and cranny he could find in the first three days. Paws had kept to dark quiet spaces where he could be by himself during this time. It was a concern for Patty, she pondered whether Paws was just adjusting or not comfortable in his new home.
An internet search proved useful. “Cats enjoy spaces where they can be alone and need time adjusting to changes.” Patty decided to continue providing paws with as much space as he needed. On the fourth day since they had settled into their new home together, Patty sat on her bed playing with Claws’ favorite toy: squeaky mouse toy tied to a stick and string. The plush mouse bounced about with Claws giving chase. Paws emerged from underneath suddenly and trotted up to Claws. Claws sniffed Paws curiously, the pair had hardly interacted apart from briefly during meal times since arriving at the cottage.
A swift bop landed on Claws head from Paws.who proceeded to trot towards Patty. Paws sniffed Patty’s foot, she put out a hand for Paws to sniff. After a minute Paws was in Patty’s lap, Claws charged towards Patty. His brother was getting all the attention from his new mom and Claws did not care for that particularly. Clearly tired of affection, Paws leapt out of Patty’s lap. Claws and Paws chased after each other well into the night as the crickets chirped.in unison outside.
Chapter 4
Paws and Claws both had the same favorite dry food so they often got into scraps over it. Paws always wanted to eat both plates. Claws only wanted to eat from Paws’ plate uninterested in the food in front of him.
“The grass is always greener on the other side,” Patty muttered to herself. Her mother had raised her on those words and they had always proven true.
Patty set out their food as she had each other day since Paws and Claws had arrived at her home and into her life. Claws was behaving oddly he refused to even touch the food. Patty scratched her head. Claws was usually the first to the kitchen when food was put out. Paws trotted along behind him on most occassions. Paws was nowhere to be seen. Patty called her friend Anna for advice.
Anna had lived with cats since she was little. The pair had grown to old age as close friends.
“The novelty sounds like it’s worn off,” Anna replied to Patty’s inquiry.
“‘Novelty’? Are they world class food critics or something?” Patty quipped.
“Cats can be really fussy,” Anna went on, “Boots is very particular.”
“Boots? The cat’s name is Boots now? Anna don’t tell me you–.”
“I can’t help it, they look at me with those big eyes and I’m just smitten,” Anna sighed, “besides I’ve never had a husband like you cats are my cuddle buddies.”
“Oh Anna,” Patty sighed her heart skipped a beat as it always did when they always spoke to each other over the phone.
Patty said her customary thanks and good-bye to Anna before she ended her conversation. Patty pulled out her laptop and plopped it on the cushion in front of her to look up cat food brands. It looks like her days of internet searches were not about to end any time soon.
Chapter 5
To say Paws and Claws both wanted attention would be an understatement. Patty needed to pet Paws every hour on the hour. Claws was more one to lounge around, he was more than excited for his belly to be rubbed and to get pets on the head but was not as insistent for cuddles and attention like Paws was.
One morning, Paws pawed at Patty’s arm. He needed his cuddles. Paty was still half asleep. She was going to enjoy her retirement in old age one way or another. Patty had worked as a mailwoman for many tireless years. Sleeping in every now and then was her biggest reward. A gentle warm breeze wafted through the cabin. Leaves on trees rustled, Patty soaked in every little detail in her half dazed state.
Paws let out a loud series of meows. He was getting cuddles with his new owner one way or another. Startled, Patty woke up and smiled at Paws. A small furry companion was exactly what she wanted to wake up to in the morning.
Chapter 6
Paws and Claws decided today was the day. They were going to make the greatest escape in history. In their minds anyways. In reality, Paws stared intently at the front door from a distance while Claws dashed towards the door but was blocked by a prepared Patty’s foot.
Patty had read up on the many breakout attempts of house cats eager to see the outdoors. The dart for the door was half-hearted at best. Paws and Claws both had come to adore Patty and the top tier food she put out for them. Paws enjoyed cuddling with Patty on the couch while Claws enjoyed his head pats. Neither party felt especially inclined to make a serious cabin break attempt.
Chapter 7
Patty got another friend for Paws and Claws. To her, the goldfish seemed like a nice companion Paws and Claws saw the goldfish more as food. The small fish bowl with blue rocks at the bottom sat at Patty’s bed stand. The heretofore nameless goldfish shone a brioght orange. Patty felt he livened up the cabin.
Days passed, Patty changed the goldfish’s location to a high shelf out of the cat’s reach. Paws and Claws decided to make a game of reaching the goldfish but their attempts were continuedly thwarted by their small statures. Neither kitten was about to reach the goldfish soon but Patty was starting to have cold feet about her new pet. Feeding the goldfish was a challenge which required a stool to stand on. The strain on Patty’s back and budget was beginning to outweigh the rewards. The stress of Paws and Claws attempts to consume their new “companion” was also taking its toll on Patty.
“Sure, I’ll take him off your hands,” Anna began over the phone, “I have a huge unused tank somewhere in my basement. My pets’ll never reach him”
“Great,” Patty breathed a sigh of relief.
Perhaps Paws and Claws would not be getting any more friends anytime soon.
Chapter 8
Claws loved to Jump Patty found out over time. The higher the better. Thankfully, Patty had forced her now grumbling ex-husband to install shelves into the cabin before they parted ways. One day, Paws decided to he was going to reach the top of the bookshelf in the livingroom. Patty had nervously known this day would come at one point or another but seeing Claws perched atop the towering bookshelf where her photos rested made her nervous all the same.
Claws and Paws were no more than 8 months old. Patty’s gut twisted at the horrible possible outcomes. Would Paws be able to land safely on the ground? Paws slipped. For a moment, all the colour drained from Patty’s face as she watched Paws plummet from the bookshelf. However, Paws made quick work to ensure he landed on his feet. Perhaps not all old sayings were entirely without basis in reality. Patty thought as such as she released a sigh of relief.
Chapter 9
It all happened in a single moment, Paws had eyed the blue pen Patty had been using to sketch in her dream diary for several days beforehand. Finally he charged towards his prey the blue pen was skillfully swiped with Paws’ paw descending to the ground. The clack the blue ben created satisfied Paw. Patty sighed and lifted the pen back onto the table.
In that moment a thought crossed Paws’ mind. Paws repeated the process with quick reflexes. Once again, the blue pen descended from the wooden table to the ground. Once again, Patty released a sigh before placing the pen back on the table. Again and again for the next five minutes this game continued. Paws thought of it as a game, Patty’s agitation grew.
Patty admitted defeat, forfeiting the pen to Paws in defeat. Satisfied, Paws trotted back to his cat bed for a long nap. Patty let out another sigh. In this moment Patty knew, this was one game which wasn’t about to end anytime soon.
Chapter 10
Paws liked to play with the tap water. Patty brushed her teeth and each morning Paws made a beeline for the bathroom sink each morning the tap turned on. Paws contently stared at the water. Paws flicked his paw against the water and licked his paw. While Paws stared at water in motion, Claws played in the livingroom racing about. Claws enjoyed the sound of water.
Patty returned to the living room while Paws trotted behind. Patty sipped her tea while reading the morning paper. A satisfying clack resonated as the tea cup rested on the plate. Claws curiously sniffed the empty cup. It was another quiet morning.
Chapter 11
Cooking was no easy task for Patty. Paws and Claws needed constant monitoring. Breakfast was especially challenging. Patty loved bacon for breakfast. Claws trotted towards the stove each morning at the smell. Claws loved human food. Patty fed Claws a few nibbles of bacon each morning.
It was a challenge yet a reward all the same. Patty loved to read the newspaper. The crossword puzzles were especially thrilling with as the cats danced about the kitchen. Both cats would scan for any crumbs they could locate. Paws lounged around in the sun. Months had passed as they had started their life with Patty. Day to day life was relaxing and it was not about to change any time soon.
Chapter 12
Paws and Claws went through a lengthy box faze Patty adored watching as the pair peaked through the holes. Paws took great delight as he knocked the box on its side as a game. Claws treated the box as his own personal space.
Gently, Paws poked the box and sniffed it. The scent was unusual to say the least. Could it be his only brother? Claws had used his glands to mark the box as his territory. Thusly, the dispute over the plot of land ended with a victor.
Chapter 13
The moment I dreaded never actually came to pass. The carpet would have minor marks from Paws and Claws scratching but thankfully I trained them early on to use the scratching post.That said, it bugged me more and more as the marks from scratching became bigger and bigger over time. The damage could not be completely contained I guess. I suppose the furniture is just the sacrifice when you’re a pet owner.
Chapter 13
Ever the tidy cat, Paws loved to groom himself while I prepared for the day. Paws would sit on the toilet seat and groom his paws and fur while I brushed my teeth. When I was not looking he would stare and observe. More than anything, Paws desired to be like his owner. Paws loved humans, their food and mostly just their food.
Paws loved to snatch food off my plate. As with every morning, Paws was grooming himself today as I combed my short hair. The wind whistled through the cabin on yet another tranquil morning.
Chapter 14
Specifically, the cat bed I ordered online was for Paws and Claws. I had set aside some money for the cat bed it was generally a fine product. Yet still they chose my bed to sleep on. The warm quilt blanket and cats purring as they overlapped each other on top of me warmed my heart through the cold winter which had only begun.
Chapter 15
Tensions and disputes would erupt on occasion over pens and boxes. Claws was more aggressive so the conflicts usually ended in his favor. Paws preferred playing with pens while Claws was now going through a box phase so the issue was not as bigas when I first introduced the objects to them but still. Winter winds howled through the creaky wood. A cabin at a national park was probably not the best place to spend a snowy winter.
Yet, this was where I chose to spend my retired days. The snow had begun to accumulate on the ground reaching over three centimeters in height. In the basement, the sunflower I had planted had begun to bloom. The contrast and irony between the snowy winter cold and the warming cabin mused me as I twiddled away my long winter.
Chapter 16
Claws had developed a shoulder jumping problem. Whenever I was near the bookshelf he would pounce. He waited from his chance and would leap onto my shoulder. To keep his balance Claws would dig his claws in which stung at the best of time at worst it was a dull heavy pain.
The stinging would hurt when having a warm shower but otherwise was not an issue. Yet even so, I enabled him and his shoulder jumping habits. I had figured out how to maneuver Claws off my shoulder if I wanted too, yet his happy pur as he had kindled my heart like a warm fire in the fireplace. Sparks would gradually pop up yet vanish just as quickly as the winter carried on.
Chapter 17
The snow had reached the bottom tip of the window as Christmas neared. I had prepared for the heavy winter snows by stocking up on groceries all at once for the holidays. Yet still, the thought that I was trapped in a warm log cabin with two baby kittens and a sunflower to grow actually sounded fine to me.
I caught up on fanfiction on the couch, my grand daughter explained it to me over video chat the other day. The romance novels I grew up on had a number of fanfiction online for alternate pairings with the romantic rivals. I had finally accept I was pansexual to myself so it provided me with a warm escape as the snowflakes descended and built upon each other.
Chapter 18
I scribbled out my grocery list for when the snows had calmed and I could drive to town to pick up meals. I scribbled every last thing I could think of that would need re-stocking. My ex-husband was, if nothing else, wealthy. He had begun trying to win me back, I appreciated the money anyway.
I thought of my childhood friend. She was always friendly to me over the phone when we chatted. We shared a kiss beneath the cherry trees that one time overseas. My husband never knew it was a secret from our trip she and I shared. I returned my attention to the present, Paws and Claws were playing with a grocery bag. It warmed my heart and rekindled the sparks of joy within me.
Chapter 19
Thoughts of Anna filled my mind as the snow had begun to melt. She had been my secret lover on and off over the years, my husband loathed her. I feel he somehow knew I would have rathered spent more time with her than him. The nasty homophobic side to his personality came out whenever Anna was around. I loved them both yet I loved Anna more. It had been more convenient to stay with my husband.
Anna stopped corresponding through letter once we reached our forties. I heard from a friend she had adopted cats of her own. One was named Paws, a few years later she had gotten a cat named Claws. It connected us somehow deep down I had given my own cats the same names after the divorce. Paws and Claws took turns swiping at the water in the cat bowl. The torrent of memories and swirling emotion from my past continued in my mind as the winter wind howled on.
Chapter 20
The winds had dulled and faded, the memories were pushed to the back of my mind as Christmas had finally arrived. I decorated the Christmas tree I had ordered online with my ex-husbands money. There were ornaments our children had picked out over the years and some I had from my own childhood. They were well worn yet the memories collected in them kept me warm through the holiday season.
Paws and Claws helped in their own special way. Paws played with the Christmas lights while Claws chewed on ornaments I had decorated the cabin with. The room felt so much brighter than it had been the past while. Something about Christmas just warmed me inside as the new year approached.
Chapter 21
Paws spent his first winter often sniffing the fresh air through the window. Paws was curious of the snowflakes which swirled about and danced in the whistling wind. He would rest his paw on the bits of snow which trickled through the screen on occasion. Claws, on the other hand, treated the specks of snow as prey to chase. It was a game to him where only Claws himself could win. I sat there and thought back to my own children’s growing up. Some things just never change I suppose.
Chapter 22
My children and I spent our summers with Anna during their childhoods, they did not know of our feelings for each other just that we were closer than most people. My husband had secretly known of our family away from him. He eventually tore us apart. Eventually with the letters stopping, for almost two decades we had no contact. Paws and Claws played with their new cat toy. A cat tail shaped plastic chew toy that I could wiggle as they leapt to pounce on it.
In my head, I thought of Anna in this day and age things could have been so much different. The lies and secrets, the double crosses none of it would have had to have happened. They were both tender and dear to me. I loved Anna more yet I had also had feelings for my husband at the time. I wished we could have all lived together. This fleeting whim of a thought vanished as the snow melted outside.
Chapter 23
A new year spring had blossomed over top the melted snow. I phoned Anna for advice on cat food for the first time in ages. Thoughts of her and the cats around me had kindled my inner warmth throughout the heavy winter. The irony of a spring on New Year’s day amused me to no end as the phone rang.
“I recognized the number as soon as I saw it! Patty It’s so good to hear from you again” Anna began, “I take it you need more cat advice?”
“Ah– yes, yes,” I stuttered, “I was wondering how to introduce cats to a new food brand after they had adjusted to one.”
“Are they both still fussy?”
“No, Paws eats other brands once in a while when the kind he likes is sold out,” I chuckled, “I suppose this call wasn’t really well thought out in my head.”
“So was there some other reason for calling while I’m in the middle of making myself lunch?”
I sighed, “no–nothing I was just reminiscing lately.”
There was a long pause.
“If you’re looking to rekindle the flames again how about waiting until the kittens have grown enough,” Anna began, “I’d be happy to get back together but you’re still recovering from your divorce. It shows in your social media posts you know.”
I had forgotten we had added each other on that platform.
“How about this,” I started, “we e-mail each other like how we mailed each other all those years ago.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Anna chuckled, “for now, just focus on your cats. Cats are rewarding to raise. And, tell you what, if you feel ready for it in exactly two years from today. How about we get married. It-it’s a proposal I’m proposing to you. How does that sound as an incentive to heal?”
I giggled, “alright, sounds like a plan Anna. See you at the wedding hall.”
Chapter 24
Paws stared out the window at the melted fallen snow. The pine trees smelled fresh as Paws sniffed the familiar,returning scents of the changing seasons. Spring had arrived, the wild flowers had begun to sprout from the earth.
I sat on the couch and mused, the past 3 months had passed in the blink of an eye. Anna’s proposal had come out of nowhere. Yet, she was still interested after all these years apart. We had begun corresponding by email. Mostly they were just joke emails but it helped to pass the time as Spring had begun to settle in. April was around the corner as I sat back and enjoyed the peaceful sounds of birds chirping in the nearby window while Paws meowed at the new born birds.
Chapter 25
Today, I tried an experiment. I placed boxes from my online shopping with my ex-husband’s credit card next to the cat tree. Both Paws and Claws responded differently. Paws poked at the boxes with his paws and sniffed them. He inspected them. This one change in the environment filled him with a new excitement and curiosity. Claws’ reaction was the one I did not see coming.
Claws paid no attention to the boxes and simply lied in the sun while napping. As the months had gone on the once energy filled kitten had begun to lounge around the house and sleep more and more. Cats sleep most of the time I discovered through exchanges online with Anna. Claws’ earliest kitten years had been an exception, not the rule.
Chapter 26
Claws had begun delighting in laying around in the sun which poured in through the window perched atop the cat tree. Paws enjoyed cuddling with me in bed in the beginning of his first Spring. I went to pet Claws as I usually did, he pushed my hand away with his paw. It was a gentle push but the message was clear: I want to be left alone.
Claws went back to sleep on his cat tree. It stung a little Claws had never been the friendliest cat with guests but he at least enjoyed having his scruff scratched and pats on the head. The impermanence of the moment as time marched forward. I was reminded of that fact on that day.
Chapter 27
Claws would alternate between sniffing the fresh air from outside and sleeping. For only a few hours a day he was awake and in that time he mostly ate his dry cat food. Paws was concerned about his brother, well more likely I was projecting my concern for Claws onto Paws. Claws always wanted to be left alone.
He often sulked on his side curled up yet when I tried to give him attention he would brush my hand away with his paw. In my dream, he spoke to me that night.
“You never pay enough attention to me, I want you to ravish me with attention.”
The next day I gave Claws a belly rub as he laid on his back for hours. Claws purred now satisfied since he had gotten what he wanted. Cats were surprisingly straight forward in their own odd way.
Chapter 28
Paws was in need of attention more than anything, he would tap my leg for head pets and scratches behind the ear. A look of love filled his small beady eyes. Claws became jealous that his brother was getting more attention from his owner than him. Claws was ever the cat that needed to be at the center of attention that Spring.
The drastic shift from cold and aloof to attention craving was sudden to say the least. It was unclear what tipped the scale the other way in his brain. I scratched my head in puzzlement. Cause and effect was not a firm and solid constant with cats I suppose.
Chapter 29
“This one’s name is Paws and the other one’s name is Claws,” Anna explained, “Paws is rather outgoing and loves to cause mischief. Meanwhile Claws is more reserved and timid.”
I woke up from my dream with a gasp for air. He memory was from when Anna introduced me to her kittens they passed away years ago. I decided to look up the life expectancy of cats, 13-17 years on average. Paws and Claws were curled up together at the foot of my bed. I closed my laptop and set it at my bedside. I needed to make every moment count.
Chapter 30
The gentle spring breeze overwhelmed me with glee. Morning of a new day had arrived. I made myself some eggs on toast for breakfast being sure to set any unwanted feline help on the ground. Their safety came first and foremost. I sat at the table and sipped my hot cocoa in the warm light of spring as I nourished myself with breakfast. Paws and Claws played and tussled at the now unused fireplace as if they were newborn kittens again. Our first nine months had been so fleeting.
Chapter 31
Those memories of Henry would never fade yet with Anna’s proposal in mind, I felt a renewed motivation to continue my journey. Paws and Claws were always skin and bones after a shower. I tried baths and they did not work out. The gentle water pouring over Claws filled him with joy, Paws loved to pur during his showers. Steam would rise up and out the cabin window as I hummed a toon.
Chapter 32
Paws and Claws chased each other around the cabin’s living room. Paws pounced on claws as they began to tousle with one another. I needed to put Claws in time out since he was the provoker who began the fight. Paws sat outside the door in solidarity with his faithful lifelong companion. It was another peaceful day.
Chapter 33
Paws and Claws slept most of the day. Paws would yawn occasionally while Claws groomed him. I watched television shows on home media that day. There were cartoons my grandchildren were into that my son encouraged me to watch when they came for their next visit. I browsed my laptop for information on raising kittens as fall began to swirl its way into the air. The leaves on the trees were beginning to brown as the seasons changed once again.
Chapter 34
The sun rose over the hills signalling a new day had begun. Paws sniffed my face while Claws observed curiously from my feet curled up in a little ball. Paws licked my face with warm kisses his fur brushed against me as I turned over and returned to slumber. Claws began to nod off while he purred, his small furry body warming the blanket.
Cool morning air rested in the cabin but I was entirely too wrapped up in a quilt I had knitted as my kittens gleefully purred around me. Paws trotted to my feet to join Claws, wrapping his tiny body up in the finely knitted quilt. A woodpecker tapped away at the tree outside the cabin as if to quicken the sun’s ascent into the sky and my brief, quiet start to the day was at its end.
Chapter 35
The sun peaked in the morning sky. Paws chased after Claws who skidded across the wooden floor before crashing into the wall. There was a light patter on the front door. It was Anna with roses and a little black felt box. She proposed to me and I accepted without a moment’s hesitation. Paws and Claws skittered to the front door to sniff me as I sobbed happily.
“Anna I love you with all my heart thank you for putting up with me all these years,” I sobbed.
Anna scooped me up in her old worn arms and whispered in my ear, “I’ll be there for you for the rest of our days.”
I giggled and passionately kissed her on the lips. Paws and Claws meowed for attention as we giggled. I held her hand and looked deeply into her oak colored eyes. A pink and blue lace ribbon rested at the bottom of the page as the book closed its final page.
Comicedy 