A Short Tale
He sipped his beer, a locally brewed IPA, and then set the mug down. “I came to Ashland for love in 1972. I’d met this woman in Ohio. She lived here. So I followed her here.”
“Did you marry her?”
“No. We were together for ten years. Then she moved out and we moved on. She lives in Tacoma now. Married, with children.” He smiled toward the wall. “We remain on good terms. We talk to one another on the phone. Once in a while.”
Entertainment
The royal clowder’s faces were grumpy. “I’m bored,” the first floof said. “This — ” He flicked a tail of disdain. ” — snow outside is ruining my day. There are no birds to watch, other cats to chat up, nor even squirrels to argue. I want sunshine!”
“I’m bored,” the second floof said as the third said, “I’m bored, entertain me.”
“Sorry, guys,” the man replied. “There is nothing I can do about it. Here’s some catnip and a couple stuffed mouses to bat around.” He walked off.
The floofs glared at his back. “I say that we replace him,” one said.
“Perhaps,” the second said. “Look how long we’ve had him, and he still doesn’t give us the food and treat that we demand.”
“Not to mention that he can’t do anything about the weather,” the first floof said.
“I’m bored,” the third floof said, and then assumed an attack position. “Wanna fight?”
The Snow Effect
The little ginger feline galloped to the back door and loosed a demanding shriek.
The man strode to the door. “Are you sure you want out? It’s snowing out there, you know.”
“Meow,” the ginger replied in a determined tone.
“Okay.” The man opened the door.
The cat sprinted out, tail high, with a triumphant cry. The man watched as the cat took in the snow. His tail drooped, his pace slow, and his stride faltered. Stopping, he sniffed and stared.
“Want back in?” the man called with a laugh.
With a disdainful glance at the man, the cat hunkered down. He was an animal in his element. A little snow would not deter him from enjoying his wild side.
At least for a minute. Maybe two…
Replaced
The royal clowder summoned him to a meeting by the front door. The first floof said, “The weather outside is cold.” The second added, “It’s wet,” and the third went on, “And windy.”
“This must be stopped,” the first finished. “Fix it.”
“I can’t fix it,” the human replied. “I have no control over the weather, guys.”
Cat tails swished. “Silence,” the first floof roared. “If you can’t do it, we’ll replace you with someone who can.”
The three cats stalked off as the man laughed and shouted, “Go ahead and try.”
“Oh, we will,” the floofs replied. “We will.”
Michael Seidel, writer 