by Patricia Fry
“Good idea,” Savannah said. “Hey, you do it. I’ll try to get him to look.”
It took several tries, but Rags finally caught a glimpse of the toy, and, as Savannah expected, became interested in it. “He seems to have this knack for focusing on something that doesn’t belong—know what I mean?” Savannah explained to the other women.
Rochelle nodded. “Yes. Peter taught me that concept. When we’re out photographing wildlife for him to paint, he tells me to watch for a color or movement or shape that doesn’t belong in the environment. I didn’t know that cats could do that.”
“Maybe not all cats,” Iris suggested. She asked, “So how will he get to that clump of leaves?”
Savannah grinned. “Where there’s a will there’s a way with Rags, and he’s on it. See how interested he is now?”
“Are you going to turn him loose?” Iris asked.
Savannah grimaced. “I think I’d better. I worry about him getting his harness or leash caught in a situation like this. Yeah, I’ll take the chance.” Savannah looked at Liam. “Would you like to watch Rags climb the tree?”
Just then they heard a voice from behind the boy. “What’s going on?”
“Mama,” Liam shouted, “Bitty Kitty’s stuck up in the tree and that cat’s going to get him down!”
“Oh?” the woman muttered suspiciously.
“Hello,” Savannah said. “I’m sorry to intrude. We heard Liam crying, and he told us about the toy in the tree, and…”
Her hands on her hips, the robust woman asked, “And you think your cat is going to get it down?” She smirked. “A cat?”
Savannah winced. “I hope so.”
“He’s an unusual cat,” Rochelle said in her gentle way. “He has helped in some risky situations.”
Savannah nodded.
“Cats, schmatts,” the woman complained. “Good-for-nothing critters, unless you have rats. When the rats are gone, there’s no more reason for the cats.”
Liam’s eyes filled with tears. He looked up at Savannah, petted Rags, and said, “I really like cats. That’s why my gramma gave me Bitty Kitty.” His face lit up. “We have a cat at school. He’s a classroom cat for all the lower grades. Charlie likes to sit with me at my desk.”
His mother was evidently unmoved.
“So is it okay if I send my cat up to get his toy?” Savannah asked.
“No,” the woman spat. “I don’t want anyone falling in our yard and suing us. It’ll come down in the next wind. Just leave it.” She grabbed Liam’s arm. “Come on. I think you’d better come in. What have I told you about talking to strangers?” She said for the women’s benefit, “There’s a lot of riffraff using that damn walkway.”
When Rochelle saw the pain in Savannah’s eyes, she rubbed her upper back with one hand, murmuring, “Well, what can you do?”
“Nothing, I guess. Poor little kid,” Savannah said.
“Well, come on,” Iris urged. “We don’t have far to go, and I really want Rochelle’s impression.”
Minutes later, Iris stopped, looked around the area of the gnarly tree, and said, “Well, that’s odd.”
“What’s odd?” Rochelle asked. “Did I miss something? I’m sorry, Iris. If you’ll tell me what it is…” “It seems to be gone,” Iris said quietly, walking in circles and looking around. “Savannah, did you feel it?”
She shook her head. “No. Nothing.”
Iris pointed at Rags. “He isn’t reacting, either. Could it be gone? Oh no, there goes my fortune.”
“What was it?” Rochelle asked, somewhat impatiently.
“Well,” Iris started, glancing at Savannah, “I think it was a vortex.”
“Oh?” Rochelle said, surprised. “Right here?”
Iris nodded.
Rochelle glanced around. “Iris, I’ve become aware of what I thought was a vortex a couple of times, but I didn’t sense anything here at all.”
“Even Savannah felt it yesterday,” Iris said. “We were here yesterday, and she felt it.”
Savannah nodded. “Yeah, I felt something, but I sure don’t know what it was. It was sort of a vibration. Honestly, I thought I’d been hit with an electric shock or maybe a stun gun.” When Rochelle laughed, Savannah said, “I didn’t think it was very funny. It freaked me out.”
“So do vortexes come and go?” Iris asked. “Because I know there’s something maybe spiritual—or at least from another dimension—here. As you just heard, even non-believing Savannah was aware of it yesterday.”
“Yes, Iris,” Rochelle said. “An active electromagnetic field—a vortex, as you referred to it—can open up, but it doesn’t always remain active. It’s sort of like a volcano, in a way. You know, the earth is made up of magnetic fields. Normally we don’t feel that energy, unless it’s coming from a healer—you’ll feel subtle and sometimes more intense energy from another human, sometimes. But you’ll also feel a little—or sometimes a lot of—energy from one of those fields. It may stay around for a while, then leave. Just like a volcano might remain dormant for years and years, then erupt.” She smiled. “How cool, Iris, that you came across one. It must have given you quite a boost to feel it.”
“Yeah,” Iris said, without much enthusiasm.
Savannah chuckled. “She wanted to capitalize on it.”
“Oh?” Rochelle questioned.
“Yeah,” Iris said. “I thought I could create a spa here or a healing lodge.”
Rochelle grinned. “You could do that without a vortex. Just bring in people who can emit healing energy.”
“Like Rochelle,” Savannah said. “You do healing, don’t you?” “I have,” Rochelle said. “Most people can, if they just know how to channel the power. It’s not their power, you see, but it comes from…possibly from energy generated from the earth. There’s a lot we don’t know, of course.”
Savannah spoke directly to Iris. “And perhaps when you know even less, it’s best not to invite it into your life—especially if you plan to administer it to others.”
“Well, crumb,” Iris said, slumping.
Rochelle laughed. “Iris, I think you have a wonderful business. Just keep on doing what you’re doing. That’s my unrequested and unprofessional advice.”
Iris forced a smile. “You’re probably right, Rochelle. Thank you for coming out here and for your welcome opinion. I’m just sorry it was a wild-goose chase.”
“No it wasn’t,” Rochelle insisted. “I always enjoy spending time with my lady friends, and I count you two among them. Thank you for the walk.”
“Well, Rags,” Savannah said, “would you like to ride for a while? You’ve probably walked far enough.”
“He’s not a distance walker, huh?” Rochelle asked.
Savannah shook her head. “Cats aren’t known for their endurance.”
“Yeah,” Iris said, “except when they’re napping. Our cuddle cats are endurance nappers.”
Savannah smiled, then addressed Rochelle. “Actually, Rags generally only walks maybe half mile at the most, then we give him a rest.” Savannah tucked the cat into the cat backpack and Iris helped her put it on, then the three women walked back toward the inn.
As they approached Liam’s house, they noticed quite a bit of activity. There were men, women, and teens walking along the path and in and out of some of the property that backed up to the path. When they saw a policeman talking to Liam’s mother, they slowed their pace.
“Poor kid,” Iris said.
“Yeah,” Rochelle agreed. “It appears that no one listens to the lad and they should. He’s a gentle and spiritual soul.”
Iris looked at her. “You could tell that?”
“Sure, couldn’t you?” Rochelle asked.
“Wait,” Savannah said. “Something’s not right.” She removed the cat pack. “…and Rags knows it.” She lowered the pack and let Rags climb out, then held the leash as the cat led her toward the picket fence where they’d met Liam. When he started pulling on the leash, she hastened her pace, slowing when
a middle-aged woman approached from the other direction. Savannah asked, “What’s going on?”
“That boy who lives there, Liam, is missing. He told one of his playmates that he was going to be with his grandmother. The neighbors are all out trying to find him.” She winced. “He’s such a sweet boy.” She glanced at something behind Savannah and hissed, “Here comes Madeline. That’s his mother.” She shook her head and snarled, “That woman’s a piece of work, I’ll tell you.”
“I’m so sorry,” Savannah said to Liam’s mother.
“Did you see him while you were out walking?” Madeline asked, anxiously looking up and down the pathway.
Savannah shook her head. Just then she shouted, “Rags!”
“Now that’s what we don’t need,” Madeline complained, watching the cat jump atop the fence and onto the tree trunk. “Get it out of my yard!” she bellowed. “We’re trying to find my son. We don’t need no cat getting in the way. Scat!” she shouted.
Savannah gave Rags some slack in his leash. After watching him for a few moments, she said quietly, “He may just know where your boy is.”
Madeline stared at her. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s just a measly cat!”
More assertive now, Savannah said, “I’m pretty sure he’s telling us your boy’s up in the tree.”
“That’s impossible,” Madeline insisted, “unless a condor or an eagle lifted him up there. He’s not allowed to climb that tree, and I’m sure he’s not actually able to do it.”
Iris nudged Savannah. “I think Rags is after the kitty toy.”
“Get that cat out of my yard!” Madeline shouted. “We have an emergency here. Take him away.”
Savannah dropped the leash and walked quickly through the gate and toward Rags, but before she could reach him, he scurried higher into the tree branches, his leash draping down below him. When she saw Rags climb up onto a large limb about twenty feet above the ground, she looked at Rochelle and Iris. “Do you suppose?”
“What?” Iris asked.
“That the boy’s on that branch?” Rochelle suggested.
Savannah grinned. “I’m pretty sure he is.” She called out, “Does anyone have an extension ladder?”
“The cat needs a ladder to come down from there?” Madeline carped. “Leave him. He got up there. If he can’t get down, too bad; it sure isn’t my affair.” She burst out sobbing. “I just want my Liam back. Where’s my boy?” She grabbed a policeman’s shirtsleeve. “Do you think one of those low-life hippies grabbed my son? Maybe you should be talking to some of those that hang out down the block there. They’ve probably got Liam.”
“No,” Savannah said sharply. “I believe your boy is in the tree. The cat is sitting with him on that branch.”
“What makes you think so?” Madeline asked. “Like I told you, he’s not allowed to climb that tree.”
Rochelle said more gently to the woman, “Someone said your boy may have been trying to reach his grandmother. He told us earlier that he threw the toy kitty up so his gramma could see it. He imagines her in heaven, or maybe he’s seen her in the tree—you know, in his imagination.”
“How could that little boy get up that high?” a neighbor asked. “From what I’ve seen, he’s too timid to even try it.”
“Where there’s a will,” a woman offered. She added, “It’s about time that little guy used his will.” She looked at Liam’s mother. “You say how much he means to you, but you don’t seem to give him one iota of credit. He’s a good boy, but you’re going to lose him if you don’t learn how to relate to him and respect him. He’s a human being, for Pete’s sake.”
Madeline stared at the woman for a moment, then spat, “Natalie, if you think you could do any better with the circumstances I’ve been left with…”
Natalie walked up to Madeline and patted her upper arm. “Of course, it’s been difficult. We all have our troubles, but Maddie, it does absolutely no good to be so angry and defensive all the time.” She looked up into the tree. “Let’s concentrate on helping Liam, right now, shall we? It appears that he needs us—he needs you.”
Again, Madeline broke down and sobbed.
Just then someone shouted, “Here come Hank and Bill with a ladder!”
“Now who’s going up there?” Hank asked. “I can’t make it—not coming down from there with a boy and a cat.”
“I can do it,” offered a teenager with a slight build and shoulder-length hair.
“A crack head?” Madeline bellowed. “I wouldn’t let you...” Rochelle moved closer to the woman. She put her arm across Madeline’s shoulders. “Natalie’s right. Your son is what’s important now. The boy only wants to help.”
“Yeah,” another woman huffed, “and for your information, Madeline, he’s been clean for a year.”
Madeline swallowed hard and nodded toward the young man. “Thank you, Steve,” she muttered.
“Would you take the leash off the cat while you’re up there?” Savannah asked. “He can probably come down on his own, but I don’t want the leash to catch on something.”
“Sure,” Steve said, starting his climb.
Two men secured the ladder, and everyone held their breath when Rags walked along a narrow branch toward the teen. The boy carefully unsnapped the leash, dropping it to the ground. Then everyone cheered when they saw Liam shift his position on the tree branch where he’d been hiding.
“I’ll flat throttle that boy,” Madeline spat. “What does he think he’s doing climbing that tree when I told him so many times…”
“Madeline,” Rochelle soothed, “I can understand that you’re frightened and a little angry, but don’t you think that’s part of the problem here? Little boys need to know they’re loved. Let’s try to show love today. Liam is hurting. Let’s not add to his pain.”
Madeline stared into the tree. Tears filled her eyes and she said quietly, “I do love my boy. He knows it.”
“Does he?” Rochelle asked.
Madeline looked at her. “Well, I…um…” she stammered before allowing another rush of tears to flow.
The crowd cheered as they watched Steve work his way down the ladder supporting Liam’s every step.
“Young man,” the deputy said, “I couldn’t have done it better myself.”
The teen smiled. “I’ve been watching how police officers and firemen do stuff like that. I’ve been thinking I’d like to be a policeman or maybe a fireman.”
The officer smiled. “Well, good luck with that. I think you’ll make a fine one.”
Meanwhile, when Liam saw his mother coming toward him, he looked away. Madeline, however, approached him with open arms.
“I’m sorry, Mama,” he said, a frightened edge to his voice. “I didn’t mean…”
“Liam,” she said, embracing him tightly. She stepped back and said sternly, “Liam, don’t you ever…”
Rochelle cleared her throat and Madeline looked at her. She took a deep breath. “Liam, I mean, I’m so glad you’re okay. I was awfully worried.”
“The cat came to get me, Mama,” Liam said.
“Here he comes,” someone shouted. “The cat’s making his way down.”
When Rags seemed to be having a little trouble, Steve said, “I’ll go up and get him.”
“Be careful, son,” the deputy said, moving forward to help hold the ladder.
But as Steve drew closer to the cat, Rags stepped away and jumped onto a branch that was out of the teen’s reach.
“What’s he doing,” Madeline asked, “showing off? He’d better not be knocking more of those leaves down here, I hate all that raking.”
Rochelle ran one hand over Madeline’s arm, and the woman looked up. “I mean…” She let out a long breath. When the toy cat suddenly tumbled to the ground, she jumped back and cranked, “What in the holy…um…was that?”
“It’s Bitty Kitty!” Liam shouted, running to pick up the toy. He hugged it to him and stared up into the tree, calling, “Thank you
, Rags.”
“Are you ready to come down now, cat?” Steve asked, motioning for Rags to walk toward him. And he did, allowing Steve to grasp him and carefully and slowly carry him down to safety.
Even before Rags’s feet touched the ground, Liam ran up and wrapped his arms around him. “Thank you, Rags,” he murmured into the cat’s fur.
Savannah and Rochelle shared a giggle when they saw the almost desperate look in Rags’s eyes as Liam squeezed him tightly against the toy cat.
“Liam!” Madeline shouted. When she glanced at Rochelle and her neighbor Natalie, however, she said quietly, “I’m sorry. I really do have a bad habit. Please tell me how to stop it.”
Rochelle and Natalie made eye contact, and Rochelle said, “Madeline, give me your contact information. I’ll put you in touch with someone who can help.”
“In the meantime,” Natalie said, “just remember that Liam is a human being, and a very sensitive and loving little boy who’s actually pretty tough inside to have survived your wrath for seven years.”
Madeline tightened her lips. “Yeah, I guess he is, at that.”
Rochelle leaned toward Madeline. “Look at your son. He’s a sweet spirit. If I were you, I’d make sure he has a live puppy or kitten to love. That little guy has a lot of love to give.”
Madeline took a ragged breath and asked, “What’s your name?”
“Rochelle.”
Tears streaming down her face, Madeline asked, “Rochelle, can I hug you?”
“Absolutely,” Rochelle said. She embraced the woman, then pulled away and said, “Madeline, I’d like to stay in touch, if it’s okay. Natalie wants to help, too. Count on her. Listen to her. I think she can help you. Trust her. Now take your boy home and remember he is a treasure and he needs your love.”
“Thank you,” Madeline whispered, walking slowly toward Liam and Rags. She ran her hand over Rags’s fur. “Thank you, kitty.” She swallowed hard and added, “I don’t even want to think about what could have happened if you hadn’t come along.”
Savannah smiled. She took Rags from Liam and walked away with her two friends. They strolled in silence for a few moments, each with her own thoughts, when they heard Liam shout, “A cat of my own? Really, Mama? Do you mean it?”