And with the tinkling of the bell, he knew she was approaching.

The cat. Stalking her prey each morning, pouncing on the bed at 5 am to bite and claw his bare feet. It had been two weeks of this and today it ends.

He adopted the feral creature for comfort. Comfort. A cat. The promise of a soft and warm companion, purring peacefully while she laid next him on the desk as he worked. Or perhaps snuggling contentedly on his lap during a quiet evening. Some companionship and love.

The SPCA staff was delighted—-surprised even—-as they ferried the half-priced, Long-Term Resident from her metal crate to the meet-and-greet room. She jumped and climbed and charmed him, confident and adventurous May. They named her that.

She reminded him of Midnight, his childhood cat. Black, wild, an indoor-outdoor murderess that would vanish for days at a time. When she stayed in the house she slept between the young boys’ legs in the top bunk. He always welcomed her.

Driving home from the SPCA, May’s cardboard transport box shook violently, tiny black paws protruding from ventilation holes, claws extended and slicing the air only to disapear as quickly as they emerged. May, much like Midnight, possessed ruthless killer instincts.

But while Midnight dealt death to the birds and chipmunks and snakes, May was perfectly content to bite--and scratch the ever living shit out of--the hand that feeds.

That is, until today.

Because now he is aware. And, waiting in silence, eyes closed, leg cocked and listening to the gentle tinkling of the collar bell that betrays her, he sees his target in the mind’s eye: May’s soft, fluffy underbelly meeting the arch of his foot as she receives the full brunt of his good leg mid-pounce.

Since that morning, May’s been through a lot. Pets, girlfriends, cross-country moves, children . . . the youngest of which loves her dearly. And seeing them together makes me wonder.

Maybe one day he’ll have a little black cat of his own to teach him about love and commitment and the role of dominance hierarchy in the animal kingdom.

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