Page 10 of Daddy’s Little Secret

Whew. Not gonna lie, was freaked out for a minute.

Guess I had a lot to learn about cats…

Sabrina plopped onto my lap, batting at the feathery toy I dangled above her. “She’s so sweet. I just love her.”

“She’s a special girl. One of the locals found her abandoned by a dumpster in town. Only three days old. Her eyes weren’t open yet. They brought her right to me, and thankfully one of the nursing momma kitties fed her. Was touch and go for a couple of hours when she hadn’t latched on, then finally in the middle of the night she did. I was terrified we’d lose this pretty girl.”

“Now she’s got a full belly and is a happy girl. Aren’t you, sweet girl,” I cooed.

“Who do we have here?” my sneaky Daddy said. I hadn’t heard him come in the room. “Looks like she’s claimed Trey.”

“That she has.” Ms. Judy winked at him. “This is Sabrina. Had her since she was an itty-bitty thing.”

“I love her, Daddy.” Ms. Judy knew all about us and our lifestyle. Tae and Uncle Chuck were very open, plus she spent the holidays with us last year. I wasn’t totally out yet, but now I didn’t have to hide in front of her. “Can I get a kitty costume?”

“Halloween’s not for a couple of months, Angel,” Daddy said.

“I know, but since I don’t have a kitty, I could pretend to be one at home.”

“I think that can be arranged,” Daddy said. “But wouldn’t you like to have a real kitty instead?”

Blink-blink. “Huh?”

“If you got to pick any kitty here, which would you pick to take home?” Was Daddy just teasing me? If so, it wasn’t funny.

“Daddy?”

Ms. Judy stood and rubbed the top of my head. “Is Sabrina your number one choice, Trey?”

“Am I getting a kitty, Daddy?”

“You are, Angel. Which one do you pick to come live with us?”

“All of them!” Daddy choked, and Ms. Judy got the giggles. “But our cabin isn’t big like Ms. Judy’s house, so I choose the one who chose me. Sabrina.”

“She’s perfect for you, Trey. Why don’t you play with her a while longer while Daddy and I get her ready to go.”

“Did you hear that, Sabrina? You get to come live with me.” Daddy was fulfilling all my dreams and wishes. Did he realize that… “I wonder if I can find a costume that matches your pretty fur?” It would be sooo cool to be twinsies with her. “We’re gonna have so much fun. Our new house is perfect for you.”

“Yes, it will be, Angel,” Daddy said as he opened the door. “Ready to head out?”

“With Sabrina?”

“With Sabrina.” In walked Ms. Judy with a coolio carrying case for her. “This cat carrier is collapsable and easy to store.” Ms. Judy showed me how to get Sabrina in it without her freaking out. “Grab her by the scruff and scoop her legs out so she doesn’t feel like she’s dangling then set her inside.”

“Easy peasy. Are you ready to go to your forever home, Sabrina?”

“Meow.”

“I’d say that’s a yes, Angel.”

I nearly squealed and just caught myself before sending the other cats into hiding. “We need to get toys, and a collar, and a cat box, and litter, and food, and treats, and… What am I missing, Ms. Judy?”

“Nothing, sweetheart. You already have all the love she’ll need.”

“Lots of love, Sabrina,” I assured my new kitty through the mesh sides of her carrier. “Can she go in the pet store with us?”

“As long as she’s in the carrier, she can go most places with you. Sabrina is about a year old, litter box trained, and young enough you should still be able to put a harness and leash on her and teach her to go on walks with you. Just make sure that harness is on nice and tight, so she doesn’t Houdini out of it.”