Page 85 of Bleeding Hearts

Being here with my boyfriend who loves me and who I love back. It all feels perfect, like everything I dreamed of.

Now I just have to hope it stays that way.

“What are you doing out here all alone, little baby?” I squat down in front of my apartment building, looking at the little black ball of fur who stares up at me with his big green eyes. Or maybe her big green eyes? I’m not quite sure yet.

I reach out my hand slowly, testing the waters to see if the kitten’s friendly or not, and he immediately walks up to me, shoving his face in my hand for pets. I pick him up, checking to see if he’s a him, which he is, and cradle him into my chest.

He’s tiny, probably around three or four pounds and fits into the palm of my hand, and he seems to be all alone. My heart aches for the small little baby, and I know without a doubt that I can’t just leave him here.

I reach into my pocket with my other hand, checking the time to see it’s only three forty-five p.m., so the urgent vet is still open.

After Asher left for work this morning, I spent the day driving around to local restaurants and bakeries to see if any were hiring. Just my luck, none of them were. There are still more a little farther from me that I’ll have to try tomorrow, but for today, I’ve officially given up.

That’s when I decided to come home and bake my sorrows away and stumbled upon this little guy.

“Alright, mister. Let’s go get you checked out.” I press a kiss on top of his head as he purrs into me. I bring him into my car, wrapping him in a blanket I still have in there from Asher’s and my road trip before driving to the closest walk-in vet.

“Hi.” I smile at the young woman sitting at the front desk as I walk in. “I just found this little man outside my apartment. He’s super sweet and super tiny, so I just wanted to bring him and get him checked out.”

“Oh, how amazing. First, let me grab you an extra carrier we have in the back.” She shoots up from her seat, practically running through the back door and coming back just as quickly with a plain black carrier.

“It’s only for a minute, I promise,” I whisper as I place him into it, and he looks up at me with big, betrayed eyes.

I follow her into a room, where I wait until the doctor comes in and checks him out. He just looks around, confused as he’s poked and prodded, seeming a little spooked but more overwhelmed than anything.

After she assures me that he’s a perfectly healthy eight-week-old kitten, she asks if I plan to keep him. I look over to him and I swear I can feel him watching me as he waits for my answer.

“Yeah, I am.” I smile, satisfied with my decision, and the kitten lets out a tiny squeak of a meow, seemingly just as happy.

The rest of the appointment goes by quickly as she explains all the vaccinations he’ll need and schedules his next appointment. They let me keep the carrier, and I drive him straight home.

I bring him into the apartment, letting him out to look around and explore.

I follow him, sitting on the couch as he walks over there. He jumps up next to me, curling into a ball on top of my lap and goes to sleep. I pet the back of his head and he purrs.

I’ve never had an animal before, my father never let me, but I know enough to know that he feels safe with me.

“I love you already,” I whisper to him, knowing that he came into my life at just the right time. Now I just need food, and toys, and bowls. Oh, and treats, lots of treats. I text Asher.

Demi: 911

Demi: SOS

Demi: come to my apartment pleaseeeee

Demi: I have a surpriseeeee for you

Asher: Is this an actual 911 or can I come after I finish work? My last appointment canceled, so I’m done at 5:30

Demi: finish work, we’ll see you soooooon

Asher: We?

I don’t bother answering the last text, knowing he’ll be here soon enough. I lean back on the couch, bringing the kitten up to my chest and cuddling him as I close my eyes.

The turning of a key in my door wakes me a little while later. I don’t know how long ago I fell asleep, but the baby is still cuddled up on top of me.

“Dem?” Asher calls as he walks inside.

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