Page 50 of Protecting Charity

I didn’t realize just how hungry I was until there was nothing left to shovel into my mouth.

A commotion from another room grabbed our attention, and we stood together. The silverware on the table clattered as we rushed to see what was happening.

“Goddammit, his fucking claws are stuck in my arm.”

“Well, don’t hold him that way then.”

“How else do you hold a fucking cat, Charity?”

We walked in to find Max and Charity walking through the garage door in a whirlwind of chaos. Max was shaking a frightened bobcat off his arm while she carried in the cat box and food behind him.

“What the hell is going on?” Luca’s look of confusion promised this to be an entertaining moment that would take my mind off the current conditions.

“You insisted that I come back here and wouldn’t take no for an answer, so here I am. I’m moving in.”

“The fucking cat isn’t.”

“He goes where I go, Luca. Suck it up.”

I covered my mouth with my fist to hide my amusement.

Cannoli howled as he clawed his way to the floor down Max’s arm, then ran off to some random room to shred the furniture.

“Fuck, I’m going to have to get a rabies shot,” Max cried.

“Oh, chill, he doesn’t have rabies.”

Luca pointed a finger in her face. “He’s not staying here.”

“Then, neither am I. Max, go get the cat I’m leaving.”

She turned on her heel to walk out the door.

“Stop.”

She turned back around and dropped the cat box on the floor, then folded her arms across her chest. I leaned against the wall to watch this unforgettable spectacle with the attention it rightfully deserved.

“Fine, but he has to stay locked in one of the spare rooms.”

Max walked away and came back with a wet paper towel that turned crimson with his blood.

“No way. He’ll scream all night and day.”

Cannoli came running out and wrapped around my feet, meowing. I scratched him behind the ears, and he flopped onto his side, eating up all the love I gave him.

Charity picked up the enclosed cat box and moved it into the laundry room with Luca on her heels, their voices fading into the background.

“I cannot believe you put your cat in my three-hundred-thousand-dollar car.”

“I don’t understand why you buy cars that cost the same amount as a house. It’s a bit excessive for a mode of transportation if you ask me.”

“Don’t question how I spend my money, Charity.”

They walked back out with booming voices.

“I’m not,” Charity grabbed her bag and rolled it towards the stairs. “I just think it’s excessive. Oh, by the way, I think he got scared and peed in the car.”

Luca’s face bloomed a deep, cherry-red. If he held his breath any longer, he might just pass out. I couldn’t contain the amusement any longer. I dropped to the floor, holding my belly, howling with a fit of laughter I’ve needed throughout these crazy weeks. Cannoli got scared and ran in place against the flooring until his nails took hold and propelled him away from the crazy man on the ground.

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