My Sister's Cat

“Cats have it all – admiration, an endless sleep, and company only when they want it.” – Rod McKuen

The Cat - Lightning

My sister lived with my partner and me for a time. A few years back, when she lived elsewhere, she once had a cat that she adored. I forget the cat's name, but the cat knew where the food and love came from. Over time, age caught up with the cat and it went off to cat heaven. My sister was heartbroken. I don't think she ever owned another cat, or other pet, after that cat passed.

Years later, my sister needed a place to stay. I had lived with her way back, so I returned the favor. All was well until one spring day; she spotted three little kittens playing on the

driveway. Ping, ping, alarm bells rang in my head. I said to my sister, "Shoo those kittens away, they don't belong here." Off I went, knowing that my sister knew what I meant.

A few days later, I saw a scrawny cat screaming at the kitchen window. I knew immediately that my sister had ignored my warning. Her love and memory of her long-gone cat returned, expressing itself in feeding the kittens of their scrawny mother. Sister, the cat lover!!

Eventually, my sister found accommodation of her own. We, my partner and I, were left with four mouths to feed. Man, was I frustrated and a little angry at my sister. My days of caring for kids and animals were well and truly over, or so I thought. My partner gave each kitten a name, Luna, Sooty, and Lightning.

How she arrived at each name is a story for another day.