Cats of a Feather

by Patricia Fry

  “Yes,” Savannah said. “Chris and I are on the road as we speak.”

  “Good. So I’ll see you later this afternoon for our visit with Jeannie,” Marilyn confirmed.

  “Absolutely. We’re looking forward to it.”

  Marilyn asked, “Have you reached everyone you want to interview?”

  “Just about,” Savannah said. “I hope to make contact with the others today or tomorrow. So we’re meeting you at the facility at four thirty?”

  “Yes,” Marilyn said. “See you then.”

  ****

  “You are a good driver,” Savannah said as the two women hummed along the freeway through Camarillo later in the day. “What kind of a truck did you drive—an eighteen-wheeler?” Chris chuckled. “No, it was large box truck. That’s how I met my husband. He managed the trucking company. I was ready to settle down and he wasn’t, so I ended up raising our daughter on my own.” She said sarcastically, “After putting him through law school.”

  “Law school?” Savannah repeated.

  “Yeah, but he never passed the bar, so he became a mechanic.”

  “Oh, he’s had an interesting work history, too, hasn’t he?” Savannah remarked.

  “Uh-huh.” Chris took a deep breath. “And now it’s my turn to have an interesting life—not that life with a child isn’t interesting.”

  “Right,” Savannah said. She looked out the window. “We’re just coming to Thousand Oaks, so we don’t have too much farther to go. Want me to take over?”

  “I might have you do that as we get closer to the city and all that LA traffic,” Chris said. “You’re probably more accustomed to it than I am.”

  “But you were a truck driver,” Savannah challenged, grinning.

  “Yeah, how many years ago?”

  “Okay, sure, I’ll drive,” Savannah said. “Let’s stop for a cup of coffee and maybe a piece of pie. I’ll drive the rest of the way.” She glanced at Rags. “He’s probably ready to get some fresh air.”

  “He really is a good traveler,” Chris said.

  “Yes, he’s been pretty good except for…”

  “Oh that’s right, when we stopped for lunch.” Chris laughed. “What was his problem with that little girl? You say he thought she was Lily?”

  Savannah giggled. “Do cats even have a thought process? Can they think things through, make plans, figure things out?” She faced Chris. “I mean, you’re the cat scientist. Can they?”

  Chris glanced at her and said playfully, “Yeah, but isn’t cat scientist an oxymoron of sorts? Who truly understands cats—especially the way their mind works? Is it learning, conditioning, a deep knowing?” She winked at Savannah. “Maybe all of those. So what was the problem?” she asked again.

  “Well, that toy the little girl had was exactly like one Lily has. Rags does not like that toy. I think it’s because it’s kind of noisy, and Lily will sometimes run it toward him to make him move or something.” She glanced sheepishly at Chris. “I know my little Lily looks angelic, but I sometimes catch her scheming against the cats or her brother.”

  Chris chuckled. “A girl’s gotta take care of herself. So that’s why he was batting at the toy? He didn’t want it, but he wanted to get it out of her hands or something?”

  “I guess so. That’s what he does with Lily when she’s playing with hers.”

  “Well, her mother wasn’t very happy about it,” Chris said. “I mean, the cat trying to knock the toy out of her little girl’s arms.”

  Savannah chuckled. “No. Just imagine your child being bullied by a large, assertive cat.”

  “Yeah, he could be intimidating to a kid.” Changing the subject, Chris said, “How nice that your mom’s house is vacant. Does that happen often?”

  “No. I think this is the first time it’s been vacant since she moved to Hammond. Maybe once before. Yes, this is perfect timing.” Savannah pointed. “As I recall, there’s a place just up here a ways with good pie and excellent coffee. Pull off at the next ramp; I think I remember where it is.”

  Half an hour later the women were just finishing up their snack, and Chris said, “Boy, were you right! That’s the best piece of lemon pie I’ve had in ages. And this coffee…” she winced. “Yeah, it’ll keep me awake for a while.” She looked out the café window. “Is Rags okay?”

  “Yeah, I checked on him while you were washing up. He’s pretty quiet today. Probably resting up.”

  “For what?”

  “Who knows?” Savannah looked at her watch. “We’re supposed to meet Marilyn at the jail at four thirty. Mom’s house isn’t far from the facility, and I’d like to drop Rags off there. You want to go with me to meet this woman, don’t you?”

  Chris nodded. “Yeah, I’d like to hear what she has to say. This is the gal who stole the show kitten?” she asked.

  “Yes.” Savannah grabbed her purse and stood up. “Well, if traffic isn’t too bad, we should be right on time. Let’s get back on the road, shall we?”

  “Let’s do,” Chris agreed.

  ****

  “I like your mom’s place; it’s in a nice neighborhood,” Chris said as Savannah followed the car’s GPS instructions to the jail a couple of hours later.

  “Yes, it is. She was happy here until she got grandchildren.”

  Chris smiled. “She’s awfully good with your little ones—a good grammy. How long has she been with you?”

  “Nearly two years, I think. I don’t know what we did without her.”

  “Well, you keep so busy,” Chris said. “It’s nice that you can follow your interests and still be so involved with your children. I don’t see you getting stale like some moms seem to do.”

  Savannah nodded and quipped, “I really do have the best of all worlds.”

  “As it should be,” Chris said.

  Twenty minutes later, Savannah pulled into a large parking lot. She glanced around. “Marilyn said she drives a Blue Echo. Oh, I’ll bet that’s her over there.” She drove closer to a woman who appeared to be waiting for someone. “Are you Marilyn?”

  The woman quickly approached the car. “Yes, Savannah?”

  “Uh-huh,” Savannah said. She motioned toward her passenger. “This is Chris Tomlinson.”

  “Hi,” Marilyn greeted. She wrapped her arms around herself. “Thank you for being prompt; I feel so vulnerable out here like this.” She looked inside the car as Savannah and Chris climbed out. “You don’t have your cat with you?”

  “No. We left him at the house where we’re staying. I didn’t think he’d be welcome here.”

  “You might be surprised,” Marilyn said. “People bring dogs all the time.”

  “Which means cats probably aren’t welcome,” Savannah said, chuckling.

  “Especially Rags,” Chris added. “Can you imagine the trouble he could get us into at a place like this? Although I haven’t seen him do anything naughty since I’ve known him—well, except for that small incident with the little girl and her toy at lunchtime, and maybe when he scared little Foxy. I keep waiting and watching for him to do something out of bounds. But nothing. He’s been an almost perfect gentleman.” She laughed. “Gentlecat.”

  Savannah advised, “Be thankful.”

  Marilyn looked at Chris, then Savannah. “Well, let’s go in.” She stopped for a moment and said, “Just so you know, they’ll rummage through your purses.”

  “Oh?” Savannah said.

  “Is there a problem?” Marilyn asked.

  “No. I don’t think so.” She chuckled. “Frankly, I never know what’s going to end up in my purse.”

  “Let’s hope no guns, knives, drugs…” Marilyn said.

  “My two-year-old’s nerf gun, maybe,” Savannah joked.

  After the women had gone through security, Chris nudged Savannah. “What were they looking for in your purse?”

  “I don’t know,” she said. “That can of cat food might have been suspicious, I guess, or maybe Teddy’s saw. I had to take his plastic saw from him so
he’d stop cutting up his toys. I’m not sure how it ended up in the bottom of my purse.”

  By then both Chris and Marilyn were giggling.

  Savannah was on a roll. “They seemed most concerned about the half-eaten antacid I confiscated from Rags yesterday.” She cringed. “I think he took it from my mother’s nightstand. I told the guards they could have it.”

  “Teddy’s saw actually cuts things?” Chris asked.

  “Yeah, if whatever he wants to cut isn’t too sturdy and he’s determined enough.”

  “And you’re here to see…?” a male guard asked as the three women approached another security point. The officer stared sternly when Marilyn seemed to have trouble keeping a straight face.

  “Jeannie Gerard,” Marilyn said, struggling to keep her laughter at bay.

  The guard studied her for another moment, then opened the door and allowed the trio to enter.

  “There she is,” Marilyn said, leading the others to where a slight blond woman with light blue eyes and rosy cheeks sat. “Hi, honey,” Marilyn said, hugging her. “This is Savannah and Chris.”

  “Hi,” Jeannie said. She looked at Savannah. “You have one of Angel’s kittens, right?”

  “Yes,” Savannah said. “Thank you, by the way, for him. I just adore him. Hey, want to see a picture?”

  “I sure do,” Jeannie said, her eyes lighting up. “Oh, he’s handsome. He’s a big boy, isn’t he?”

  “Sixteen pounds,” Savannah said. “Hey, Marilyn says there were six kittens in Rags’s litter. I thought there were only four—the calico, two female ragdolls like Angel, and Rags. But there were six kittens?”

  Jeannie winced, took a breath, and said, “Yes, there were also two ragdoll males. It was a big litter, and we had trouble dealing with them, so Marilyn and her group helped us find homes before…”

  “Before what?” Savannah asked, quietly.

  “Well, we breed ragdolls, so to have a mixed litter like that doesn’t exactly bode well for our reputation.” She looked down at her hands. “My husband wanted to…you know.” She sat up straighter. “He means well. He loves the cats too, but he thought we should do what so many breeders do and get rid of that litter.” She smiled. “We sold the two males.”

  “I’m so glad you didn’t destroy the litter,” Savannah said. “If the other kittens have a personality anything like Rags’s, they’re bringing their owners great joy.” She glanced at Chris and Marilyn. “Well, most of the time.” She asked, “Has Marilyn told you anything about Rags?”

  Jeannie nodded. “A few things, yes.” She glanced at Marilyn and told Savannah, “She visited me Tuesday, I think it was—after she’d spoken with you.”

  “And after I’d read part of Rags’s meowmoirs.” Marilyn put her hand on her friend’s arm. “Oh my goodness, Jeannie, you must read it.”

  “Can you receive books here?” Savannah asked. “Would you like a copy of Rags’s memoirs?”

  “I can receive books as long as they come from a publishing company, not an individual.”

  “Great,” Savannah said, “I’ll have one sent to you.”

  Jeannie smiled. “I’d like that.”

  “Jeannie, how long will you be here?” Savannah asked. “Three more months,” she said.

  Savannah looked around. “How are you doing? I mean…”

  “I’m okay,” Jeannie said quietly. “You just have to follow the rules.”

  When it became obvious that Jeannie didn’t want to say anything more, Savannah suggested, “Can I ask a few questions about your cat and the other kittens?”

  “Sure.”

  “Do you think there’s a chance I could meet Angel?” Savannah asked

  “Oh,” Jeannie said. “I don’t know. Maybe while Drew’s at work. You’ll have to check with my sister. She lives there now, to care for my children and the cats.”

  When Jeannie began to cry, Savannah comforted her. “It must be hard. I’m so sorry this has happened.”

  “So am I,” Jeannie said through clenched teeth. “Drew said it was best…” She stopped and looked at the others, then asked Savannah, “What is it you want to know about Angel?”

  ****

  “That was an emotional ride.” Chris said as the three women left the jail facility. “I feel so sorry for that poor girl. She seems way out of her element.”

  Savannah nodded. “She sure does.” She turned to Marilyn. “How long’s she been in there?”

  “About five months. It hasn’t been easy for her.” She leaned forward. “Actually, I agree with the family and friends who believe she doesn’t belong here.”

  “But she was caught, wasn’t she?” Savannah asked. “How could she deny it?”

  Marilyn squinted and said through gritted teeth, “She wasn’t alone.”

  Both Savannah and Chris were confused. Savannah asked, “What do you mean?”

  Marilyn glanced around before saying, “I think her husband set her up. That’s what I think.”

  “Why would he do that?” Chris asked. “That’s horrible. So you think he’s the one who took the jewelry and the kitten?”

  “He was with her every time she was supposedly caught. Anyway, he’s a jerk and a bully. Yeah, I think he might have let her take the fall. She told me once that he had to work, so it made more sense that she spend the time in jail so he could continue supporting the family.” She clenched her jaw. “And playing golf, and wining and dining friends, and going yachting.”

  “They have a yacht?” Chris asked.

  Marilyn shook her head. “They hobnob with people who do. Jeannie doesn’t like the crowd he hangs out with. She says they’re phony, but he always insists she be with him. Well, you saw her. She’s candy on his arm. She makes him look like a successful, desirable man.” She scoffed. “Maybe in his eyes. I can’t stand the jerk.”

  Savannah frowned. “He doesn’t sound very honorable. So you think he’s the thief?”

  Marilyn snarled, “It has crossed my mind.”

  Savannah stared wide-eyed at her for a moment, then said, “Marilyn, thank you so much for setting this up. I learned a lot from Jeannie.”

  Her demeanor a little lighter, Marilyn said, “I saw you taking notes.”

  Savannah nodded. “She adores her kitties, doesn’t she? I love the way she talks about them.” She faced Marilyn. “Do you think you could get me in to meet Angel?”

  Marilyn hesitated, then said, “Okay, here’s how we’ll do that: There’s a big event tomorrow that I know Drew won’t want to miss. I’ll see if Jeannie’s sister, Pam, will let you in the house. I just don’t think Drew would allow it. I’d rather try to go behind his back, if you’re not too uncomfortable with that.”

  “There’s no reason to be, is there?” Savannah asked. “I mean, it doesn’t matter to me who lets me in. I’d just like to see Rags’s mother. It would be cool if I could bring Rags with me and get photos.”

  Marilyn nodded. “I’ll see if I can make that happen, Savannah. Yes, I think I can work it out. I’ll be in touch.”

  “That was informative,” Chris said once the two of them were on their way back to Gladys’s house to settle in for the evening. “I hope we can get permission to do a swab on Angel—you know, just to make sure she is Rags’s mother. Might as well cover all the bases, don’t you think so?”

  “I sure do.”

  “It will help us to determine parentage with his littermates, too,” Chris said.

  “Right. Did you come prepared to do swabs?” Savannah asked.

  “Of course. You know, this project will also help to further our understanding of genetics. I don’t know that anyone has ever used the process for the purpose you have in mind.” Chris smiled. “This may be one for the record books.”

  ****

  “Hi, Ragsie,” Savannah said when they returned to Gladys’s house. “Have you been watching for us out the window? Ready for supper?”

  “He seems to understand your words, doesn’t he?” Chris obse
rved.

  “Or what’s in my mind.”

  Chris asked more excitedly, “You use mind talk with him?” “Yes, quite often. And when he listens and wants to do what I ask, it really works,” Savannah said.

  “Amazing.” Just then, Chris pointed. “What’s he doing?”

  When Savannah looked down at Rags, she saw that he was biting at one of his toes. “I don’t know. Rags, what’s going on?” She looked at Chris. “You know, I noticed him tearing at that nail with his teeth yesterday and I meant to take a look. Darn it, Rags, I think you’re due for a nail trim, aren’t you and I didn’t bring your clippers. Let me see that toe.” She took one look at his paw and moaned, “Oh no.”

  “What is it?” Chris asked, concerned.

  “Oh, Chris, I’m such a bad cat mom. I feel awful.” She hugged Rags to her. “Ragsie, I’m so sorry. That must really hurt.”

  “What happened?” Chris asked, moving closer.

  “Look,” Savannah said, “that claw’s just starting to grow into his pad.” She shook her head. “I know he’s prone to this problem, and I keep an eye on him, but darn—I missed it this time. Rags, I’m so sorry. You know what, Chris? I used to work at an all-night emergency veterinarian clinic not far from here. I’m going to drive him over there and get this taken care of.”

  “You can’t do it with nail clippers?” Chris asked.

  Savannah winced. “I’d rather not. It’s that big gnarly claw, and it’s kind of brittle. I’d rather have them use the appropriate clippers on it. I’ll have the rest of his claws trimmed at the same time. It won’t take long.”

  Chris was quiet for a moment. “I wonder if that’s a genetic thing with his siblings. Could be, you know.”

  “Yes, I guess it could.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Chris said, “if you don’t mind. I might learn something from this excursion too.”

  “Sure.” Savannah started to put Rags’s harness on him, then changed her mind. “I’m going to feed him first. I think he’ll be happier if I do. Come on Ragsie,” she called. “Let’s eat, then we’ll go get you a paw-dicure.”