A Furry Friend

Seeing a black and white cat in the middle of the sidewalk, I feel nothing but emptiness as my heart skips a beat. I stop for a minute watching the cat run away. I chase after it thinking he'll lead me somewhere interesting. When I round the corner of the sidewalk, I stop. I see the cat slither underneath a gap in the fence. I sigh before walking back.

*

The next morning, I wake up with an annoying migraine. I place my palm on my forehead while feeling my stomach in knots. I glance to the side and see rain pattering against the window. I look at the raindrops sliding down the windows and play a good game of “raindrop race.”

“How close,” I mutter as the raindrop I was rooting for slid down last. I laugh weirdly since it's been a while or two for a genuine laugh to come my way. Sadness really does take a toll, doesn’t it? I get out of bed and walk to the window where I tap the window. The glass is cold which surprises me. Really must be cold out there. 

I take out my phone and check the weather app where I see that the weather outside is 43 degrees. I look through the window to see the trees and streets. I feel my sadness kicking which makes me annoyed. Suddenly, I hear faint meowing. 

I turn around to face the other window I have which shows the back of the house. I usually store old stuff in there that I don’t use often. Cats usually settle in there which I don’t mind. 

I check through the window and see the same cat I saw yesterday hiding underneath a piece of tarp. I feel my mouth turn to a broad smile. Aww. . .there he is.

I slide the window open and smell the musty smell of the rain. I stick my head out of the window. 

“Hey, cat!” 

The cat raises his head up and sees me with his big eyes. He purrs as he licks his paws. Afterward, he stands up on his four legs and backs away. He bends down before flying towards the window. I quickly move aside as the cat lands on my blue carpet. He shakes his fur and water droplets fly everywhere. 

 I quickly close the window and see the cat already on my bed. I walk towards the cat and sit on the bed beside him.

 “What’s your name?”

He sits still for a moment before looking around the room. He quickly jumps on my desk and grabs a piece of paper from the desk by his mouth. He as well takes a sharpie. He jumps back on my bed and moves the sharpie in my direction. 

I’m confused for a moment but I realize he wants me to open the Sharpie for him. I take the cap out and slip it through the end of the pen. I place it on the bed in front of him. He takes it by the mouth and begins moving it on the paper. Eventually, he stops and lets me see what he has written.  

“Pilot”

“Pilot is your name?” I ask as he nods his little head. He meows quietly before gesturing to the Sharpie with his paw. 

“What is it?” 

He taps his snout on the sheet of paper and moves it toward my direction. I’m confused. I shrug my shoulders as Pilot takes the sharpie. He begins writing on it. He puts it down and lets me see what he has written. 

“Your name.” 

“Aah, I see,” I say as I grab the sharpie. I write my full name. Jake Flynn. 

Pilot ponders over it and looks at me. He nods before licking his paw. I sigh feeling awkward. 

“I’m just happy to see you, Pilot. It’s been a while since I have ever felt any sort of happiness.”

Pilot stares at me as if he’s listening to me. He places his black and white paw on my hand. I look at him and feel relieved. Tears of relief are coming in which makes me feel relaxed. After months of bottling up my emotions, I finally get to show them to someone even if they are a cat. Pilot takes the sharpie again and writes something else. 

I check what he’s writing. I hope you feel better soon. 

I smile as Pilot smiles. “I’m glad you came.” 

Somehow, without writing, I can tell Pilot feels the same. 

*

I let Pilot stay for the day because I can’t bear bidding him goodbye. I make a quick stop at the convenience store in order to get Pilot some food. When I find food for him, I purchase it and leave the store. At home, I pour the food into a small bowl I had lying around in the cupboards. I place it on the floor and Pilot comes around and sniffs it. He eats it within a few seconds which makes me smile. 

“Did you like it?” I ask. 

Pilot nods before walking to the living room. I take a chipped mug from the cupboard and fill it with lukewarm water. I as well pour some lukewarm milk into a separate mug. Pilot quickly gets up from the carpet and charges towards the milk. He laps his tongue in the milk and drinks it up pretty fast. 

“Guess you love milk, huh?” 

Pilot goes to the wall where I have taped a piece of paper. It’s used as a little message station where Pilot and I can communicate easily. He takes the Sharpie from the floor and writes a big “YES!!” 

I smile as Pilot launches his way up the counter. He sits and looks at me. I pet him in which he purrs and moves his head. I eventually hug him. 

“I’m thankful you’re here.”

*

Five months pass and I am doing very well. I have taken Pilot to the vet for a few vaccination shots in order to make sure he doesn’t contract any diseases. Officially, he is my cat which makes me so happy. The happiest thing of all is that I have consulted a therapist who has helped me to deal with my depression. Baby steps, he said the first time we met up. He’s right and so far, I get to look at the sky and smile without a care in the world. Pilot always asks me how I am feeling and at the beginning, I would say I was doing horrible. However, today I told him that I was truly happy. 

“Are you sure?” 

“Yes, I am. Happiest I’ve been.”

“That’s good to hear. Now, can you please give me a glass of milk?”