Skinny Minnie Not So Skinny

Minnie was a neighborhood feral cat. She would roam the

neighborhood as if she was on patrol. Minnie was skinny, very

skinny. Thus, “Skinny Minnie.” As a feral cat, she would not allow

human contact. Minnie wouldn’t allow you to touch her or even

get close to her.

Along Minnie’s routine patrol route was an old, large two-

story house. In the house, there resided a family of five. Mark and

Maureen were raising three girls, all between the ages of five to

eight. Two dogs, Jack Russel terriers, were sisters as well. As

puppies, they ran up to the front porch with their tongues

hanging out. On that hot August day, with temperatures already

in the triple digits, the water bowl on the front porch was a very

welcome sight. An oasis in the west Texas desert! They did have

fleas, and so the three human sisters provided immediate baths

for these new canine sisters. As they did, they discussed names.

This was the beginning of their life with this very welcoming

house and family.

         Mike arrived shortly thereafter from his workplace.

         “Dad, look who came to live with us,” Alisha said with a big

smile.

No collar, no identification, but clean. Their little tails were

wagging as they studied their new Dad.

         “This one is Molly,” Barbara said proudly.

         “This one is Millie,” Alisha said as she picked her up for

display.

         Millie licked Alisha’s face.

         Then, the impending, expected question.

         “Can we keep them? Oh, please, Dad,” Barbara begged.

         Then the impending, expected answer.

         “Let’s wait and ask your Mom,” Dad said. “She should be here

any minute.”

         “Hi Mom. This is Molly,” Barbara blurted out.

         “Mom, this is Millie,” Alisha announced.

         “Can we keep them,” Amy pleaded.

         Mom walked over to meet them.

         Dad just stood and smiled.

         It was one of those moments when parents utilize a sixth

sense, of sorts. The moment is intentionally stretched, and as it is,

takes a special place in their brains.

         Then, the suspense came to an end.

         Dad’s smile got wider.

         Barbara, Alisha, and Amy all were still holding their breath.

         “Why, of course,” Mom sad slowly.

         Millie and Molly sensed immediately that this was a happy

moment. Their tails were wagging like high-speed windshield

wipers.

         “Well, young ladies, let’s work together to get dinner

started,” Mom suggested.

         “I’ll make a quick run to the supermarket to get dog food. I’ll

bet Millie and Molly are starving!” Dad said. “Oh, and by the way,

girls, Millie is Grandma’s name. My Mom will love

to hear this! I hope?”

         Dad returned with the dog food and a chocolate cake.

         “We will make today special. This will be the birthdate for

Millie and Molly.

         All three daughters cheered!

         It was a happy evening for all!

         Three days later, Skinny Minnie was passing the house as

she made her rounds. But there was something very noticeably

different.

         “Mom,” Barbara said. “Skinny Minnie looks like she’s wearing

a skirt.”

         Mom walked to the front door, and then out on the front

porch.

         “Oh no! She’s stuck in a plastic bag. We need to try to help

her. She has her head stuck in a hole in the bottom of the bag,”

Mom explained.

         As hard as they tried, no one could get near her.

         Weeks passed.

         Skinny Minnie paraded along her route each day wearing her

plastic skirt. When she would pass the house, it would become

one of those sixth sense moments, only in motion.

         “It looks like she’s going to a dance tonight,” Dad had once

remarked. “So strange, though. All you see is a floating cat’s head

moving along her route. Sooner or later, the plastic bag will snag

on something. It’s not hurting her. Actually, she might even like

the glamour?”

         “Oh, Dad, I don’t think she likes it. I would hate it!” Alisha

said as she held Millie.

         Dad just smiled.

         Normal life went on. Normal? Sure it was!

         As a family grows, it spreads it’s wings in many and different

ways. The entities of the family guide the path. Just as Skinny

Minnie had her routine, so also does the family. And, routines have

surprises. It’s called the spice of life!

         Changes.

         Changes occur over weeks and months.

         “Dad?” Amy asked. Skinny Minnie hasn’t been around now

for two days, maybe three . . . Maybe we should check the animal

shelter?”

         “No,” Dad said. Nothing more. If that was the case, it would

be the end of the line for her. We don’t go there.

         “Barbara, leave one of the empty bedroom windows half

open again this week. That way, the cats can go in and out as they

need to,” Mom asked.

         “It’s open right now, Mom,” Barbara replied.

         “Great!”

         Two days passed.

         Barbara watched as Skinny Minnie stepped out of the open

bedroom window. She carried something in her mouth. A tiny

kitten, maybe? Was it?

         The skies were rapidly blackening. September was the

second rainy season. The storm was imminent.

         Alisha was next to arrive at home.

         “Mom, I saw Skinny Minnie on the roof. She had something

in her mouth. You know, her skirt was gone! She looked like

Skinny Minnie again.

         “Alisha, would you go upstairs and look around in the empty

bedroom. I need the old radio to bring to the church auction.

Might help us now with this storm, as well.

         “O.K., Mom” Alisha said willingly.

         Alisha wasn’t sure where the radio was. But, it was better

looking for it instead of  setting the table for dinner.

         “Amy, would you please set the table,” Mom requested.

         “Sure, Mom,” Amy replied.

         Alisha came running down the stairs. Exciting news. Hurry

everyone. Come look!

         The three girls scrambled up the stairs and into the spare

bedroom. Alisha looked into the open closet. Oh my . . .

         There, on the floor . . .

         Skinny Minnie slipped out the door and out the window.

         There were four. There were four! All female!

         Alisha picked one of them up. First choice.

         Barbara picked one up.

         Amy picked up the other two and carried them down to show

Mom.       

“The orange one is so nice. I’ll call her “Beauregardia. Of

course, Beau for short,” Mom said.

         “Can we keep them?” Barbara asked.

         The long pause. Mom held Beau and looked into her eyes.

Into her soul. They waited, each holding her breath.

         “Why, of course,” Mom responded slowly.

         Each female of the house now had their own feline pal.

         Mark was left with Millie and Mollie.

         Mark was left with affording the task of feeding the whole

house, as well!

         Mark was living in a female infested house!

         Mom found Beau to be the prize of her life!

         “I put Beau in my will. You all better be nice to Beau! When I

die, she’s in charge of your allowances!” Mom would occasionally

remind.

         All three brooded. Barbara seethed.

         Life went on.

         Skinny Minnie was still skinny! Without the plastic bag, she

was no different . . . But, with that plastic skirt, she had kept a

great secret. What a secret! She did it without intention. A natural!

         How many of us, with or without intention, keep great

secrets?

         But, that’s life . . .

         And, we do all have our secrets.

         If only we could ask Millie and Mollie? Or, Skinny Minnie?

         If only . . .

         P.S. This is basically a true story. However, many names have

been changed to protect the guilty!