Page 125 of Last Letters to Ara
My voice cracks at the end, and I know I don’t need to say more. Theo understands. Connor gave him his second chance, the way Theo has given mine to me.
Theo takes a step forward, grabbing the tag and yanks.Hard. A loud snap sounds, startling the kitten into a fit of hisses and growls. He walks to the nearest trash can and drops the tag inside. He looks at the volunteer, straight faced, “What tag?”
A slow smile forms on her face, replacing the shock as she reaches for the cage. The little guy goes ape shit, screaming and hissing. She pulls back, almost on a trigger-response basis and alarm enters her eyes once again. Before she can rethink her decision, I step in.
“Here, let me.” I grab the handle and lean down so the kitten can see me. “Listen, I’m getting you out of here. Once we’re out those doors, you can howl to your little heart’s content, but until then you keep quiet. Got it?”
I take his little growl as confirmation and pick up the cage. Theo offers to take it from me, but I shake my head. “Me and the little guy have an understanding.”
He smiles. “Okay, then.”
We’re about to turn into the reception area when the volunteer curses and backs up.
“What?” I ask.
“The manager is back.” She bites her lip, sadness filling her features again. “She will never let you take him.”
“What’s your name?” Theo asks her.
“Terra.”
“Terra.” He smiles. “It’s nice to meet you, Terra, I’m Theo, and this is Ara.”
She smiles at us and glances over her shoulder worriedly.
“We are taking this kitten,” Theo says matter-of-factly. “So if that exit isunworkable,then please point to one whichis.”
I hold the cage tighter as Terra looks at us, and then back to where her manager stands in the other room with her back to us. She finally shakes her head, “Follow me.”
And that’s how I stole a kitten from the Humane Society.
• • •
The kitten, which is how I will refer to him until I’ve thought of a name, didn’t stop hissing the entire way home. All through the pet store as we bought him a scratching tree, a litter box, food, toys, and a collar (which is currently blank on the name side but engraved with our numbers). It was any kitten’s dream, but he didn’t stop protesting it for a minute.
We took him to Theo’s house, deciding it was probably best to pick one place, rather than moving him back and forth. Neither of us mentioned what that meant for the future, but it became a silent agreement of sorts.
I’ve been lying on the floor next to Theo’s couch for over an hour, where the kitten darted the second we opened his cage, trying to lure the kitten out to eat and hopefully get his collar on.
“They just didn’t like you because they were jealous,” I tell him, wiggling my fingers. “You have more ingredients.”
Hiss.
“Fine. Be that way.” Indignant, I retract my hand, stand up, and make my way to the kitchen where I flop down into a chair at the island.
Connor and Theo go quiet, until the former takes in my huff and snorts. “Pussy playing hard to get?”
Thankfully I don’t have to get up because Theo slaps him upside the head before I have to.
Connor rubs the back of his head. “Ah, come on, it was a joke.”
“Your whole life is a joke.” It’s a cheap burn, the obvious answer. I look up and Connor is grinning, but letting me have it. “I saved his life and all he does is yell at me.”
“He just needs time.” Theo makes his way around the island to sit with me. “How much time did you need?”
I hate when he’s wise. Looking back toward the couch I sigh, making a mental affirmation to give the little dude as much time as he needs. Even if he hates me forever, I know I did the right thing by saving his life.
“In other news, I need to ask you a favor.” Theo’s voice is hesitant, piquing my curiosity.
