by Molly Snow
Chapter 2
Idis was becoming more and more frustrated as the day wore on. She began uttering words under her breath as she tromped around the neighborhood. “That horrid cat! Horrid, horrid, horrid, horrid.”
The sun was setting a pale orange and the wind was picking up; a typical night for October.
The witch’s green, glowy eyes leaped from one spot to the next in desperation. “When I catch you, you’ll have even less freedom than you had before. You’ll live in an itty bitty cage for the rest of your nine lives.” Her back hunched over as if it would bring her closer to finding Surla, when suddenly, a rustling was heard around a couple of tin garbage cans.
“Aha!” she whispered, rubbing her palms together. “Could that be you, Surla, hiding from me?”
Her orange-lipsticked smile stretched in exaggeration as she tip-toed over to the noise. She was able to spot a movement underneath an old newspaper. Idis crouched down on her knobby knees, placing her face above it. The paper then shook as if it was afraid.
Her long fingers approached it, ready to grab whatever was underneath.
The witch’s movements were quick and precise. The paper was scooted off and a brown, dirty rat was taken in both her hands. It squeaked and Idis dropped it, instantly shaking from head to toe. “Eeww, nasty rat. I hate rats!”
Idis ran until reaching the inside of her kitchen, where she spent time washing her hands until they were red. “Next time it won’t be any rat, Surla!”
Cathy was nervous as she heard voices and movements from inside the kitchen. She knew it was dinnertime and hoped that Surla would have good manners and bring up the subject of having her as a cat easily. What would we do if my mom said no to the idea?
Surla stared at all of the food placed in front of her. There was a fresh green salad, mashed potatoes with gravy, and some chicken. The chicken looks good, she thought. She was nervous once Cathy’s mom took her place across from her. She wasn’t sure how much food to take and how to properly eat it.
“Sorry I was so late coming home, but the post office needed me, since Jackie was sick,” Cathy’s mom said, while taking some chicken.
Surla noticed, besides the resemblance between the mother and daughter, a nametag on her work uniform that said Julie Phillips. Whatever you do, Surla noted, do not call her Julie; she is ‘Mom.’
“So, how was your day at school?” Julie continued, reaching for the salad.
“Oh, it was fun.” Surla smiled.
“Fun?” She arched an eyebrow. “How well did you do on your History test?”
Surla had to think quick. What if Cathy had done bad on the test? “I did better than I thought I would.” She was happy with her response.
Surla looked down at her empty plate, with blue flower designs. She could smell the inviting aroma of all the food in front of her, especially the chicken. Very rarely Surla was allowed to go outside, when living with Idis, so it had been a long time since she last tasted a bird. She was eager to eat it, but focused on not showing that eagerness too much as she reached for a thigh, then looked across the table for a lead to follow for manners.
“Cathy, is something wrong?”
“No, why?” Surla unknowingly gave a funny grin.
“You just don’t seem like yourself tonight.”
That’s because I’m not, she thought. “I-I’ve just been thinking a lot today and I was wondering if I could have a pet.”
“A pet? What, a dog?” Julie started eating her chicken with her fingers.
“No way!” she exclaimed. “I mean, I would rather have a cat. One that’s black with yellow eyes.”
“Oh?” Cathy’s mom walked to the refrigerator and brought out a pitcher of juice. “It’s just that, the way you’re always petting Sadie, from next door, I thought you wanted a dog.” She poured herself a cup. “But… I don’t know, Cathy. I’m going to have to give it some thought.”
Right then, a crash was heard from inside the garage. Cathy had fallen asleep from waiting so long and rolled off of the washing machine, hitting some unsteady boxes. She sat there still, hoping they didn’t hear from inside. The thought of hiding came to her immediately, but the idea of being crammed in a cobwebby corner made her stay where she was.
“What was that?” Julie looked up, afraid, setting down her drink.
“I don’t know.” Surla acted undisturbed.
“It came from the garage.” She walked toward the door, wiping her hands off along the way.
Surla knew there was nothing she could do. “Mom” was going to find out about her plan before it even was situated and Surla hoped she would be understanding. She watched her slowly turn the doorknob, opening the door just a bit. “The light is on… I didn’t leave it on,” Julie whispered, frightened.
“I must’ve left it on.” Surla walked over, pushed open the door, and stepped in.
“Meeow.” Cathy tried to sound natural.
“Oh, look, Mom—a cat.” Surla leaned down and picked her up.
“That’s no ordinary cat. It’s a black one with yellow eyes… like the one you asked for.”
“I’m sorry, I saw it on my way home from school, hungry and without a collar. It was a stray. I couldn’t just leave her.”
Surla is a good talker, Cathy thought as she saw her mother’s expression change considerably.
“Isn’t she adorable?” Surla persuaded more.
“Well, you said she was hungry, didn’t you?” Julie took Cathy and pet her.
“Yes.” Surla smiled.
“Go inside and get her a couple chicken strips then.” She sat on the hood of a broken-down station wagon.
“Okay.” Surla was ecstatic and rushed inside. It worked, she thought.
“I can be such a pushover sometimes.” Cathy’s mom laughed lightly. Surla soon returned having Cathy eating out of her hands.
“So, what should we name her?” Julie asked.
“You mean… we can keep her?!” Surla’s new blue eyes were bright with excitement.
“I suppose.” A half-smile came across her lips.
“Thank you so much, um, Mom!”
“Well, what name do you have in mind for her?”
“Su-” She stopped suddenly rethinking that using her real name would not be such a good idea. What if Idis were to hear it being called throughout the neighborhood? “S-Sadie sounds good.”
“But, Cathy, you don’t want it to have the same as our next door neighbor’s dog!”
“Oooh! Of course not! What am I thinking?”
“Licorice?” Julie suggested after a while.
“I like it. It sounds sweet.” Surla was happy and so was the rest of her new family. My new family, she repeated in her head. That sounded nice to her, however temporary it would be.
Cathy was still tired and shut her eyes. She soon awoke in the arms of Surla, taking her to her bedroom. Once inside, Surla closed the door. Cathy jumped onto her large bed.
Surla took a long look around the plain room. It was almost colorless. A dresser in the corner held only a lamp and picture of Cathy with her mom. The most interesting spot was her window, which had long curtains; they were silky and rose-patterned, like what a grandma would prefer.
In the closet, Surla shuffled through long skirts, cardigan sweaters, silk blouses, and a couple pair of tennis shoes. What a boring assortment, Surla thought. There’s just no magic in it.
“Your life will be different for the time I’ll be in your body, Cathy.” Surla closed the closet door and sat next to her sleepy friend.
“Yeah, well, I’ll be glad to get a break.” She breathed in slowly. “Tomorrow is Saturday, my favorite day of the week because I have no school.”
“What’s school like?” Surla sprawled out.
“For me, it’s not fun at all.” She yawned, curling her tongue. “If you’re like Tiffany and her friends, then you have a blast, getting boyfriends constantly and going on dates with popular guys like Craig.”
“What
’s Craig like?”
“He is hot.” A purr started. “The best water polo player, with the best body. I’ve adored him for two years straight—since ninth grade. We have had a couple classes together, but we never spoke a word to each other. It’s like I’m invisible to him.” She paused. “I can’t believe he and Tiffany haven’t gotten together yet. If I could just get him to notice me and ask me out on a date, it would be a dream come true.”
“If you like him that much,” Surla said, “I’ll get him for you.”
“Sure you will.” Cathy’s eyelids felt heavier. “Can you turn out the light and go to bed now?”
“All right.” Surla stood, hit the switch, and curled up on the bottom of the bed.