Crazy Cat Kid (Crazy Cat Kids Book 1)

by Joan Donaldson-Yarmey

  Dad used a flashlight to read the names. “According to the packages these are Roman Candles. There are a number of stars inside the package and these will be shot up in succession.”

  Mel lit the first one.

  We all listened to the hiss of the fuse burning and waited expectantly. Finally, there was a burst of light as the first cake was launched into the air and exploded into a star. More followed until that Roman candle was finished.

  We all clapped in appreciation.

  The next Roman candle shot out comets which left glittering trails behind as they climbed into the sky. In the third one gold clusters were woven in the stars. Once these Roman candles were spent Mel set more stakes in the sand and lit fuses. Dad called out what each one was going to be before it was lit and for what seemed like an hour we oohed and awed as bouquets, flowers, and spinners, accompanied by a whirling noise, lit up the sky. Falling leaves consisted of glowing embers that flicked back and forth as they tumbled slowly towards the water. A brocade was like fine lace in the sky with a twinkling silver tail.

  “And now I will do those bottle rockets,” Mel said.

  Dad turned the flashlight to show what looked like standard firecrackers on long, thin sticks. A fuse stuck out from each bottom.

  Mel stuck the sticks into the top of a beer bottle. He flicked the lighter and held the flame to all of the fuses. Dad turned off the flashlight. We watched the fuses burn and then one by one the small rockets shot up into the air with a whistle and a loud bang.

  We all heartily clapped at the end of the show as Mel and his assistants bowed. Slowly everyone left the beach and made their way back to the campsite in the dim moonlight. Dad and Alan stayed to help Mel clean up the beach. Mom and Carol remained with them. Jesse and I walked with the others. Once we were close, we used the tiki lights for guidance. Since it was after eleven o’clock some of the campers headed to their motorhomes and trailers. Others went back to the table and made themselves a drink.

  Jesse walked me to our motorhome. At the passenger door he bent close and kissed my cheek.

  “Thank you for tonight,” he said.

  “For what?” I was in shock from the kiss.

  “I’ve never talked to another friend about my dad like I talked with you. It makes me feel better to have someone to share it with.”

  My heart beat a little faster. He considered me his friend. I had made my first friend since moving here. And he had kissed me. On the cheek but still it was a kiss.

  * * *

  Purple followed me into the bathroom as usual when I changed into my pajamas. But instead of entering the open cupboard, this time she just sat in front of the shelves and stared in. What was she looking for? Was she expecting something to come out? I finally closed the door and went to my bed.

  There was still a lot of laughter and noise from the leftover partiers. Looking out I could see a dim light in the tent. Was Jesse reading or playing games or texting his friends?

  I fell asleep but was startled awake by growling from Saltry and hissing from Red. They both were at the foot of my bed. I had thought that being cooped up together, enduring the same hardships together, would create a bond between Saltry and the other girls. But it hadn’t. She was still the dominant cat.

  “What are you doing?” I lifted my head and whispered into the darkness.

  The noise quit. I laid back on my pillow and waited. The fight didn’t resume and soon Red came up to look out my window. I listened but didn’t hear any noise outside. Was the party over? Had I slept through Mom and Dad coming into the motorhome?

  I rolled over and joined Red at the window. It was dark. There were no fires and no movement anywhere. I could see lights in the windows of a couple campers. I looked down the aisle and saw a light under Mom’s and Dad’s door. Either they had been very quiet or I had been sleeping really hard.

  I started to drift off again when I heard the rattle of blinds. Purple was at it again on the table. I leaned over the edge of my bed and watched as she stood on her hind legs and pawed at the slats of the blinds. When she had an opening she stuck her head through. But that wasn’t good enough. She worked until she had her front paws and shoulders between the slats. Then she climbed up the slats with her back paws and disappeared behind the blinds. All I could see were tufts of orange hair sticking out between the slats.

  The blinds were held in place by a decorative window treatment that enclosed them on both sides. The hard piece along the bottom of the blind would not bend so Purple was caught between the blinds and the window. I got out of bed, lifted the blinds and freed her. She gave me a dirty look and jumped off the table.

  Chapter Eleven

  The girls began to meow as soon as I was up in the morning. They wanted breakfast. While they waited for me to get the can from the cupboard, Saltry leaped up beside Daisy on a swivel chair. Daisy sat quietly not daring to move with the boss beside her. I opened the lid and Saltry turned at the noise. Daisy used that diversion to jump down onto the floor.

  It wasn’t long after I closed the bathroom door that I heard some scratching at the bottom of it. I opened it and Purple sauntered in, her bushy tail in the air. She wanted in the cupboard. I left the door open for her. Daisy stuck her paw under the bathroom door. I sighed and opened it for her. She stood and looked in the cupboard but didn’t enter. Purple stuck her nose out. I ignored them as I finished dressing. I left both doors open when I left.

  I raised the blinds. Daisy and Saltry leapt up on the table to look out. I got my cereal and sat in one of the swivel chairs. I munched on it while looking outside. It was going to be another sunny day. Some of the campers were helping Robin and Mel put the decorations from the night before away while others took down the volleyball net.

  Red came over and decided I needed some attention. She sat on the table beside me and tried to push her head under my arm. This caused me to spill some milk on my legs. I grabbed a tissue and wiped it up.

  I stood to finish my breakfast then set the bowl on the counter. The sink was filled with dirty dishes. Mom had decided that in order to save water she would only wash them when we ran out of something to eat off. It looked like we were getting close again.

  I pulled the litter box out and scooped the clumps into the garbage. Outside I set the box on the ground and waved to Carol and Alan who were sitting at their table. I opened the outside door and latched it. The cats immediately came over to the screen.

  “Hi, my girls,” I said.

  Daisy meowed at me and extended one paw towards the screen as if reaching for me. I felt a pull at my heart. I loved my cats and was so glad to have them. But as I looked at them gazing forlornly out the screen door I realized what I had done to them in the past few weeks. They’d been uprooted from their somewhat restrictive life in Vancouver and taken to an acreage where they’d had freedom to go in and out of the house as they’d pleased and to roam the large yard. They’d just had time to get used to that when they’d been hustled into the motorhome and were kept cooped up inside it day and night.

  “I’ll bring you outside for a while today,” I promised them.

  When I pushed the box back under the table, I heard Mom and Dad moving around in their bedroom. To stay out of their way I climbed up on my bed. Red joined me and I petted her until she tired of it and went to look out the window.

  “Morning, sweetie,” Mom said, when she and Dad emerged from their bedroom.

  “Hi. You guys slept late.”

  Mom opened the windows and cranked open the vent lids. “We’ve decided we’re going to do some sightseeing today,” she said. “Do you want to come?”

  I thought about the kiss Jesse had given me the night before. Did I want to be gone today? Not really. I wanted to spend more time with him. Plus, there were my cats. I couldn’t leave them without someone close by in case there was a problem.

  “No. I’ll stay with the girls.

  “Okay.”

  I rolled over and looked out the window
hoping to see movement in the tent. There was none. I picked up my book and read.

  “We’re going to grab breakfast in town,” Mom said, as she and Dad prepared to leave by the passenger door. “Would you wash the dishes while we’re gone?”

  I leaned over and said goodbye to them, thinking that they sure were good sports about not being able to step out of the camper by the screen door because of the girls.

  I read for a while longer, checked for texts then went on Facebook to see what my friends had posted. There were pictures of sights seen on summer holidays, shared videos of someone doing a good deed and of cute animals, and various other items like a photo of toilet paper with spiders painted on it and the caption asking if anyone would use it. All people answered no.

  I sighed. I couldn’t put it off any longer. It was time to do the dishes. I climbed down and removed all the dirty dishes from the two sinks, stacking them in piles on the counter. I ran hot water in one sink and poured in the soap watching as it bubbled up. When the sink was half full I shut the water off.

  As I worked I saw that the families with the little kids had packed up and were leaving. I never did learn their names.

  I dumped the cutlery in the sink to soak as I washed each glass, cup, and plate. I ran hot water to rinse them then placed them on the drain board. The rinsing water continued to fill the sink until, by the time I had finished the last pot, the water was almost overflowing. I pulled up handfuls of cutlery, swished them around in the water, and dropped them, soap and all, in a plastic bowl. When the last of them was washed, I drained the water from the sink and ran hot water over the cutlery to rinse them. I used that water to rinse the soap down the drain. Mission accomplished without using much water.

  The sound of voices filtered through the window screens and I saw Bill and Jesse standing in front of the tent. They were having a discussion of some sort. It wasn’t long before Maurie joined them wrapping her arms around Bill. He draped his arm over her shoulder.

  I grabbed my book and snuck out the passenger door. I went to one of the chairs under our awning and opened my book to read. If they wanted to do anything with me today, I was here.

  “Hi.”

  I looked up to see Jesse coming towards me. Bill and Maurie were still by the tent.

  “Grab a chair,” I said.

  When he was seated, I asked. “Want some water or juice?”

  Jesse shook his head. He seemed to have something on his mind so I waited.

  He leaned forward and rested his arms on his legs. He stared down at his hands. “Mom and Dad had a fight this morning and Dad is going to take the car and go home.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said.

  Jesse nodded. He finally looked up at me. “Mom wants to go with everyone who is heading to Tofino. She is giving Bill and me the choice of staying with her now or going home with Dad.”

  “Oh.” Had he come over to say goodbye? Was this the end of fun on my camping trip?

  “I’m just wondering if you and your parents are going to Tofino or home tomorrow.”

  “We’re going home tomorrow to clean up and restock and spend the night then heading to Tofino on Sunday.” I held my breath.

  Jesse grinned. “Then I’m staying here with Mom and going to Tofino.”

  I smiled at him. “I’m glad,” I said, shyly.

  Jesse stood. “I have to let Bill know. I’ll be right back.”

  When Jesse returned Bill and Maurie were with him. I waved at the two chairs. Jesse and Maurie sat while Bill stood behind Maurie.

  “Bill’s staying too,” Jesse said.

  I smiled at Bill, not really sure on how to comment. Again I offered water or juice. Again they were declined. They seemed ill-at-ease, glancing over at their camper every few minutes. I realized they had come over to avoid being there when their Dad left.

  The camper door opened and their father stepped out carrying a plastic bag. This time he didn’t stumble and fall. This time he stomped down the steps and over to the car. Bonnie stood in the doorway and watched as he pulled open the driver’s door, threw the bag to the passenger seat and climbed in. He started the car, revved the motor and spun his tires in the dirt sending up a spray of dust as he drove out of the yard. Bonnie shook her head and stepped back in the camper.

  Other people had witnessed his leaving and they looked over at us then at the camper. When no one offered an explanation, they went back to what they were doing.

  Purple meowed at the screen door. She stretched up as if trying for the handle.

  “I want to let my girls out today,” I said. “Do you want to help me?” I didn’t ask anyone specifically, just put it out there.

  “I will,” Maurie said.

  “Me, too,” Jesse chimed in.

  Bill remained silent.

  The three of us went to the passenger door and entered. The unfamiliar company scared Red and she headed into Mom and Dad’s bedroom. Saltry came over for a pet. Daisy and Purple stayed by the screen door.

  I found the harnesses and leashes. “We can only take two cats out at a time,” I said.

  “Why?” Maurie asked.

  “I only brought two harnesses with me.”

  “Oh. Who’s going first?”

  “We’ll take Saltry. She is the most laid back of the four.”

  With Maurie’s help I got the larger of the two harnesses on Saltry and hooked the leash.

  “Do you want to take her?” I asked Maurie.

  Maurie grinned. “Sure. Do I go out the passenger door?”

  “No, Jesse and I will hold the others back while you go out the screen door.”

  “What do I do once I have her outside?”

  “Carry her a little way away from the camper and set her down. Let her walk around but if she tries to come back to the door don’t let her.”

  “Okay.”

  Jesse and I picked up Daisy and Purple and moved away from the door. Maurie lifted Saltry into her arms and unhooked the piece of wire Dad had installed. She stepped outside and closed the door.

  “Who now?’ Jesse asked.

  “I bought two different sized harness so we have to do Purple.”

  Jesse set Daisy on the floor and I handed Purple to him. Once the leash was hooked to her harness I held Daisy while he went out the door with Purple. I placed Daisy on my bed and hurried outside.

  Saltry was sitting on the dirt by the table looking around. Jesse set Purple down near her. Purple seemed fine with it but Saltry stood and walked over to the grass.

  “Where are the others?” Bill asked.

  “I don’t have enough harnesses and leashes.”

  “We have some rope in the camper. I could make some for them.”

  “Okay. It would be nice to let all four out at the same time.”

  Bill was soon back with a length of rope. We went into the motorhome. While I held Daisy he tied the rope around her middle, ran it up the back of her neck, and put his finger on it to hold that section in place. With his other hand he wrapped the rest of the rope around her neck and tied it to the part at the back of her neck. That was her harness. I checked to make sure it wouldn’t choke her.

  Bill cut a length of rope to use as a leash. I set Daisy down and went to find Red. She struggled and fought so it took a little longer to do the same with her. Bill carried Daisy and I had Red as we stepped out the door. It actually felt good not to have to watch for a cat attempting to make a break.

  Bill and I set Daisy and Red down near the picnic table. Daisy froze at first then slunk towards the motorhome. Bill knelt down and petted her.

  “It’s okay,” Bill said to her. She seemed to like that and relaxed.

  Red also headed back to the motorhome. I let her reach the end of the rope then held tight. She pulled, leaning forward. I resisted. She meowed. I picked her up and carried her out into the yard. She immediately started back.

  Meanwhile Purple was meowing constantly as she leaped up on a chair and then onto the table. She was
n’t satisfied there and jumped down and went under the table weaving her way through the chair and table legs. Jesse was a contortionist as he ducked down and switched the rope from hand to hand trying to keep it untangled.

  Saltry stretched out on the grass near the back of the motorhome. Maurie stood nearby, her eyes moving from Saltry to the other cats. Saltry rolled onto her back and to the other side. She lay there a few moments then lazily rolled back again. When she stood she was out of her harness.

  I gasped as a stab of fear went through me. Everyone looked at me and then followed my gaze. Maurie calmly stepped over and picked her up before Saltry realized she had her freedom and took off.

  “What should I do?” Maurie asked, holding her tight.

  “I guess put her in the motorhome.”

  She took her over to the screen door and set her inside. As if knowing that Saltry was now in the motorhome, Red renewed her efforts to get to the steps. I gave up. Saltry was having a drink so I opened the door and went in. I took off Red’s rope harness and released her. She scampered back to Mom and Dad’s bedroom.

  Jesse brought Purple in. I released her harness and he let her go.

  Daisy walked over to the steps, climbed them and came in the door I held open for her. I took the rope from Bill and closed the door while I took off her rope harness. I don’t know if any of the girls appreciated what I had tried to do for them. They each went in different directions to find a place to sleep.

  I brought out some water for us to drink.

  “That was quite the experience,” Bill said. “I think I prefer walking a dog to walking a cat.”

  We played Monopoly again until my parents came home in the late afternoon. They were carrying some bags. That broke up our group with the others going to their separate campers.

  “So where did you go?” I asked, as I began to put the now dry dishes away.

  “We had breakfast at a little café,” Mom answered. She put her bags on the table and began to take some vegetables out of them. “We went to see Skutz Falls and drove into Youbou. Not much to see there except some nice houses. We walked on a train trestle at the west end of Lake Cowichan which is part of the Trans Canada Trail. We toured part of the town and did some shopping.”