To Go Or Not To Go

The afternoon sun beat on the city. Harlequin face torti Dahlene laid in the dark under a car with a tarp. Her bright eyes peered out sightlessly.

Never break a promise, the feline code of conduct.

For a species given to a solitary life, rules of honor and decorum are adhered to by most cats. Scofflaws are convinced by the Black Cats and their enforcers.

What do I do? What do I do? That big powder puff, Grace will depend on me for everything. And no chance of any detours on the way home. I don’t know; a lot of guys travel with a wheel man. I mean somebody has to be under the car.  It’s so hot. I’m stuck here until the sun goes low.

Maybe, we’d meet some nice guys. You never know. I know that Grey well enough to know he’ll be occupied by whatever little pussy is before him. Grace will want to go look for him.

Lean and lanky, white and orange man kitten meandered around the corner. Dahlene did not notice.

Oh, how can I get out of this? What was I thinking? I didn’t mean to tell Gray or Grace I’d go. Woah, this is too much. I’ve never been beyond the parking lot at the college. And dragging that fur ball calico, oh no.

Hey Babe, what cha thinkin? I know. I know. You’re thinkin how awesome I look. Yeah, I work out. Tommy Bright arched his neck and shoulders to flex his muscles and quivered his tail for effect. Girl, look at that body!

With her head between her paws, Dahlene raised her eyes in disinterest. Tommy took a step or two in front of her to further emphasis his macho physique. Wiggle, wiggle. I’m sexy and I know it.

Man, you are looking good. Suddenly interested, Dahlene rubbed against the young male. She gave him a head butt to the shoulder. He followed her to the grass under the live oak. What are you doing Friday night, my babe?  

I knew you couldn’t resist me. He purred. What feminine feline could resist all this?

Dahlene nuzzled his right cheek with the top of her head. Oh, yeah. He purred louder and reflexively kneaded his front toes.

Friday night? Tommy couldn’t focus. What about Friday night?

Are you going to the meeting in City Park? No, Tommy the anarchist will be roaming the neighborhood without black cats to tell me what to do. He rolled on his back pawing the air with all pads flexing his sharp claws.

Mockingbird, Waup, waup, do, waup, waup. Do I see Tommy Bright making time with Miz Dahlene?

We’re just friends! Dahlene protests. Tommy nuzzles her head with his. Tommy, I don’t feel right flirting with you when I know what a crush Grace has on you.

Grace has a crush on me? Of course, my babe, didn’t you know that? She thinks you are so fine. Tommy strutted around the tree flexing his muscles. Yeah, I work out. Pretty Calico Grace has a crush on me!

Yeah, Babe, she has a big crush on you. You didn’t know? She wants you to take her to that meeting in City Park.

I don’t know about that. I wasn’t planning on going.

Tommy, you saw Big Black look you right in the eye. You know you can’t go against Big Black.

Yeah, Dahlene, that’s one mean looking dude. Something different about this meeting; don’t know what, but Black Cats even have the grays pushing this meeting like I’ve never seen.

The Gray is going to meet me by Popp’s Bandstand after the meeting.

Aw, Dahlene, he’s telling that to all the feminine felines to get them to go to the meeting.

Dahlene’s eyes narrowed. She growled under her breath.

Grace poked her head out from under an azalea bush across the street. She trotted over to join them. Hey, Dahlene, you ready for our trip to City Park? We’ll make it a girls’ night out. I heard there’s a place the cats play some cool jazz. Never thought I’d leave my block, but I’m getting excited.

Don’t worry, Grace, I’ll take you to the park. Tommy stood there preening.

Dahlene purred with excitement. Her plan seemed to be working.

Tommy tried to nuzzle Grace, but she smacked him in the face with claws only half retracted.

Ow, Girl, you got a way of showing affection. Tommy gave her a love nip on the rump.

No, he didn’t just bite me on my behind.

Tommy’s brother, Sunny came tripping down the street with a Black Cat a few steps behind. Yo, what’s up yall?

Hey, Bro, we’re going to escort these lovely ladies to the meeting in the park tomorrow night; if that’s all right with you, Mr. Black.

Dahlene rolled her eyes. This not what she had in mind, but could do nothing to change the outcome now.

The Black smiled that all knowing smile the other cats hate. You all were scheduled for follow up. This is a wise decision. We’ll see you tomorrow night. With that The Black headed down the street.

Dahlene annoyed, said, Ok, tomorrow when the sun gets low; it’s off to the park we’ll go. Meet under the old cypress tree across the street. She trotted off in a huff.

  

Under the Gray Cat's Spell

What do you think? Should we go to the meeting in the park?

Harlequin face Dahlene looked questioningly at Grace, the pretty calico.

No, Grace sighed, I don’t want to go. Do you?

Dahlene leaned into an Oleander rubbing her right shoulder. These black cats always got something goin on. I did not like the mean glare in Big Black’s fiery eyes. What kind of cat looks at a feminine feline like that? Being so mean isn’t going to make him any friends. The brown side of Dahlene’s face twitched and so did her tail.

A sleek young black cat ran toward the pair of queens. Don’t look now, . Grace, but here comes a black cat. Speak of the devil.

Good morning, Ladies, the black smiled. He decided to stop. Grace, you and Dahlene never come to any feline functions. You girls would do well to show up.

Sultry Dahlene rubbing her tush on the Orleander bush said, Hey, Bey, what you gonna do, revoke my kitty card?

Yellow eyes, impossible to read, looked deeply into Dahlene’s. We can do more than that. The sleek black shook his tail at her and moved on.

Sometimes I just hate them with all that black cat voodoo scat. Dahlene kneaded her claws in the dirt.

Laying under the Orleander with white paws neatly folded under her snowy white chest and shoulders, calico Grace cocked her head in thought.

I have never found a need to go very far for anything I want. Grace purred, while kneading her paws into her breast so no one could see. With her rounded head, one brown ear and longish dense coat Grace looked like the girl you’d want to take home to mother. Grace, bred for better things, practiced manners, style and charm, as much as any cat on the street could.

Grace stood up to knead her feet. Her tail quivered. Grace, clearly conflicted, rolled her head from side to side with eyes closed and said; I don’t know what to do. Big Black scared me.  I thought he liked me. His hard look shook me to my core. Grace shivered just thinking about it. I don’t want to leave my home.

The Mockingbird called, Weeo, weeo, woop, weeo. Here comes The Gray.

From under the porch strolled The Gray. Beautiful queens come with me. Let’s discuss this over a drink. Gray stepped between Grace and Dahlene. He nudged Grace with his right shoulder, while he wrapped his tail around Dahlene. Lovely ladies should never have to do anything they don’t want to do. Gray knew when he took that intimate, deep purring tone females followed willingly. Purring, he squeezed through a garden gate and turned for the girls. Open portals of paradise for my queens.

Roses, azaleas, angel trumpets and in front of double yellow hibiscus was a pond. Grace and Dahlene approached with bellies low to the ground. Kittens that learn caution live to grow older.

Gray walked in slowly with an air of importance, showing off the hidden garden’s delights. Grey held his well shaped head high on his magnificently arched neck, his sturdy compact body with dead level top line ended at his thick tail, whichhe carried straight up in anticipation of a good time at the water hole.

Sultry Dahlene looked at the Gray in an alluring way. She couldn’t control the twitch of her tail, which flicked like a snake.  Do you come here often? Dahlene said with eyes half closed.

The water tasted cool on her tongue. Before long the Gray and the beautiful queens were laying on their backs under the yellow hibiscus.

The Gray broke the dreamy silence. Darlings, everyone should see City Park. Look for the gazebo by the playground. I’ll leave my mark. I’ll introduce you to the finest New Orleans cuisine around. You ought to go, the black cats will know. It will be a night to remember.

Grace and Dahlene looked at the sky through the hibiscus. The decision was made, plans needed to be laid……. later.

Now it was time for a cat nap.

  

Black Cat Announcement

Sultry early summer morning, baby cats bobbed and weaved. They played in the shade on the corner under the live oak tree. Grownup cats sprawled around on the ground.

 A black and white patch work kitty from the other side of the city, who just showed up yesterday, rolled on her back, as she told the old yellow and white tales of horrible plight around town.

Y’all got it pretty good here. Trees and shrubs, you got plenty of green. Delgado and the baseball fields across the street with people filling up that parking lot three times a day leaving all kinds of things for me to eat; yeah, that’s what I’m talking about!

The Dip Stick family ate from a pile of kibble kindly left under a car. The Sticks stay pretty much to themselves. Perhaps, because they stand out in any crowd with all white long coats, black tiaras on the girls, Groucho Marx uni-brows on the boys and black bushy tails on each and every one.

Orange and white Tommy Bright, or was it his brother, Sunny, chased a kitty, who accidently kicked dirt in his nose.

On a knurly oak root, a throne overlooking the activity or lack of, laid the Grey with one eye shut.

Under the Crepe Myrtle near the curb laid the ladies, Calico Grace and Harlequin face Dahlene, licking and cleaning. Quiet girl talk or gossip could be heard and a lot of tee-heeing.

Suddenly all were surrounded by panthers circling. A relaxed feline family scene the Black cats invaded.

Who-who, called the dove. The grackle cackled, Cauw- Cauw Attention cat mart shoppers, black cats will be in aisle six selling a wad of cat scrat.

Big Black cat leaped on the roof of a car. He strode in a circle pausing to look each and every one in the eye. Many cats moved, shifting positions; others just looked away. Raised straight in the air with a particular flair, Big Black’s tail spoke to an important event. All cats, even the kitties came to attention.

Friday night, meeting in City Park; come after dark.

Y’all come. Hear! Big Black said with a sneer.

Intense yellow eyes peered directly at Calico Grace and Torti Dahlene.

Tommy and Sunny bright cats they are ducked under a nearby elephant ear.

Big Black leaped off the car to join Lady Black and the three younger blacks for a small nibble from that pile of kibble.

Big Black sidled up to the Grey, Tell all you see today. This program is special. His yellow eyes brightened.

Grey could see his excitement. Common, Black, don’t hold back. Tell me more. You know you want to. I can see it in your eyes.

Black cat pawed and kneaded the dirt. Can’t spoil the surprise,

Our guest speaker just got off the boat docked in the river. That’s all I can say.

I have to ruin my Friday night for some cat from up north because of his trip down the mighty Mississippi, oh yippee!  The Grey spat.

Nah, Grey, this cat’s special with news from the motherland.

What motherland? I don’t know anything about a cat motherland and grey cats know about everything going on around here.

Like I said, Grey, this cat’s not from around here. Already too much said, this is a security nightmare.

What protecting a black cat from out of state is a nightmare?

Grey pointed to his eye to show a tear.

This cat is not black, hissed Big Black.

What, black cats, keepers of all feline knowledge, honoring a cat of another color; this would be worth a trip to City Park.

  

Bayou Babes

Morning, the dove greets the day

Who-who, Who-who!

A breeze blows out of the west

Elsewhere cats fighting, sounds like a duel

Tall man towed by two shaggy beasts

Wonder what people see in that mess!

Orange and white, lanky and lean

Tommy Bright replied to the queen

Don’t see you in a house on a couch

So I guess. He coughed into a paw

Don’t mean to be cruel

They do like the beasts best!

Mockingbird trills

Did that loud cat mean to suggest?

What did he just say to you?

I know you’re not going to

Let him talk to you like that!

Tra-la-la-twiddle, de-dum

Long nose, black on left, rust right

Harlequin face haughty queen

Tell ya one thing Mr. Bright

Before you get any of this

Punctuated with a hiss

Snake like movements side-to-side

Glaring yellow-green eyes

You’ll have to fight for it

And then, only under duress!

Mississippi queen, born on the bayou

Black n’ rust and those long white legs

Followed her everywhere,

Miz Dahlene

 

Meet the Neighbors

Who’dat larking around the door?

Grey cat energy seeps into a space

Before they arrive claiming the place

Wherever they are,

 it’s the center

Frivolity sublime, conviviality feline

For every cat to enter

Grey cat's energy aura

Some say they are a secret society

Some say a sect

Clandestine meetings

 held under a bush

Black cat pretends

Not to notice the Grey

All kinds of tidbits

Passed along this way

Black cat wasn’t here

Grey inspects a car

Poking a head under the tarp

How long is this gonna sit here?

Young Tommy Bright

The orange and white

Hanging on the corner

Yo!! Grey!!

What’s up with the drill?

Grey stretches, arches and yawns

There will be no answers

Requisite posturing first

Dude, the drill is over!

Is that all you’ll say?

Tommy said to the Grey

I’d tell you, but

The Black cat would

Have to kill you.

With that the Grey

Was a ghost

Tommy arched, cracking his back

Why had he not gone to the park?

Scratching an ear, hmm

Maybe it would a been a lark

An all cats drill in City Park

Maybe next time

Screw it!!

Tommy, the Party Animal!!!

You think Jodie’s got your girl n’ gone

Tommy’s been there, done that

To em all, yall

Enjoy your weekend Lake View!!!