The little red cat

The little red cat from the unknown next-door neighbor just ‘pawed’ by again. She does this daily now. This jittery anxious little thing must have been abused or scared to death when she was a baby. She lives with the grey passionate tomcat who scares her all the time. He is too demanding, and she is so sensitive and not a street cat at all. Probably related to the first settlers of New England, she does look so English. Yes, that’s what she looks like. Blondish-red and a little neurotic. When I first saw her a year ago, I felt she needed someone she might build some trust with. She was so shy and scared of everything then. The first time I took her on my lap was some months ago. As much as she liked it then she was trembling and scared. I could feel two opposing feelings in her body on my lap. Trying to relax as if to please me but really what her mind was telling her was to get off my lap if she wanted to stay alive. A few minutes ago, I just lifted her up on my arm. This little bony thing with the fine blond fur. There she is purring along in my arm pit, and not just to please me. At the same time, she puts her claws in me because she likes it so much. I realize the fragile situation and don’t want to scare her off. So, I bear with her for the longest time. Her claws are stuck in my skin and I’m pretending I like it too. To please her, so she will come back. It’s a premier. A tender moment. I must say. At least for her.