by JB Dutton
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When I got back home, the Persian followed me from room to room. I felt kinda bad about putting her outside, but I’d made a promise. I put it off for as long as possible, but realized that if Mom got home I’d have to explain the weird conversation with Noon.
I think the cat could sense something because she suddenly vanished. I had taken out Flash’s carrying cage and set it down on the kitchen floor. When I opened the cage door, threw a handful of food inside and made the squeaky noises that always made Flash come running, there was no sign of her. I checked under the beds but she wasn’t there. Okay, this was silly. I needed to get rid of her and now she’d disappeared anyway? Does that even count as a fail? So... case closed, right? If she miraculously rematerialized when Mom got home, I’d deal with it then.
But she didn’t reappear. And I don’t even know how she got out. Mom was tired from a long day at work so she didn’t want to spend any energy looking for yet another lost cat.
I could tell she was tired because she made mac and cheese for supper. Organic mac and cheese, but still... As she poured the pasta into the boiling water, her face livened up.
“How about we go sightseeing together this weekend, pumpkin?”
I had to laugh. “Great idea, Mommy-kins!”
“Arghhh,” she groaned.
She was totally exhausted – I could see it in her eyes. She must have been under a lot of pressure with the new job and new city. And in truth, I felt exhausted too that evening. Not just physically, either. I felt totally drained mentally.
“Seriously, I’d love to do that, Mom,” I added.
“You know what – I’ll even look into how much a helicopter tour costs.”
“You’re kidding! That would be freaking awesome!!!” I was jumping up and down in the kitchen like a little girl.
“None of that language when we’re in the air,” she mock-scolded, waving a wooden spoon at me.
I threw my arms around her. “You’re the best, Mom. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Likewise, honey,” she said gently, kissing my hair.
We both crashed pretty fast after supper and went to bed super early. I can’t say that I slept well though. I don’t remember my dreams, but I know they were even weirder than usual.