Buddy

‘Kitties’ always got you so excited.

We were walking down the street, side by side, enjoying the day…it was a beautiful, sunny day, and you hadn’t been outside in such a long time because you’d been ill.  You sat up and BEGGED me to let you go out, and there was no way I could say no to that…how could I?  So I agreed, and out you went.  But you didn’t go alone.  I came with you.

DAMN IT, I WAS RIGHT THERE.

The ladies always loved me when I took you out, didn’t they?  They’d always walk over, and it’d always be the same thing…”Oh my God, he’s so cute!”, or “How sweet!”, or “Isn’t he just a darling!”.  It was fun, soaking up all the attention, while we’d grin at each other.  You were my perfect wingman, you know?  Among other things, of course…

We took our usual route, past Mrs. Altman’s house…she was old and blind, but she was the one who always gave you the most attention.   She’d always ask how her little Munchkin was, and as much as you hated that name, you would be polite and answer…just because she was a sweet old lady, and you were sweeter even.  It was a little treat, just standing there and watching you two.  A few moments of true joy in a day for an old woman that the world had forgotten…only you were capable of doing that.

And then we arrived at the traffic light.  And you saw the cat.

Before I knew what was happening, you wrenched yourself out of my grip and ran towards the ‘kittie’.  I yelled and bounded after you, but I had to stop because of the car.  You got halfway across the street before you noticed the car heading towards you.  Like a deer caught in the headlights, you froze.  He started to swerve, but there was no way he could’ve avoided you.  There was no way I could reach you in time.

But then, at the last moment, you jumped out of the way.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

You did too.

But you never saw the other car coming.

THUD.

~ by SlayerGrey on July 25, 2010.