Invasion

Shimmying down Bayou St. John, ducking under houses, traveling quickly in the neutral ground, the cats poured into City Park. Lightning and thunder ignored by cats is hard to believe, but Black Cats don’t call meetings often. In fact the last meeting called was after Katrina. The Black Cats laid out plans for rebuilding feline society. Cats learned that it takes a pride to raise kittens to flourish in street society and cat culture.  The wind huffed and puffed. Few people lingered in the park. Not a one noticed the onslaught of cats under every tree and bush. Clouds obscured the sun before dusk. Shadows whipped in a frenzy, yet not a drop of water fell from the sky. You see, all bets would be off in the event of rain. CATS GO NO WHERE IN THE RAIN, a rule the Black Cats do not need to tell.

A team of Black Cats provided privacy for the visiting speaker. Black Cats with the aid of The Grays handled crowd safety and organization. Perimeter Protection Units safely crossed waves of cats on Orleans and City Park Avenues. The Black Cat Cadre checked the bordering neighborhoods for stragglers.  Kittens under six months, those too sick or injured to attend, stayed home with the Black Cats’ Blessing. These got a last little mew before they were left on their own.

 Delgado Community College borders part of the west side of City Park.  The west side of the campus is dedicated to the sport of baseball. A parking lot divides the practice fields from the stadium, which beckons young competitors to test their skills. Neighborhood cats dine on the tastiest treats almost nightly compliments of the sloven.

On the block by the entrance to the parking lot, only a quartet of four month old kittens roamed. Sweet Susie Dip Stick was “it” so she hid from her half brothers under an elephant ear on the side of a house. The three white booted golden tabby brothers: Rico, Tico and Louie played “king of the car hood.”  As soon as she popped out of hiding, Rico and Tico called, “Yeowwgh, I found you” and pounced on her.

Tico bounced off like a kitten, but looked around; suddenly he was the big cat on the street. Tico took strides of the tiger as he inspected between the houses with a look to the left and an inspection of the right, just like the grownup guys do it.

Rico clambered up a pine tree next to the garage on the corner house.. Rico snagged a chick right out of the nest and leaped to the roof of the garage, where he devoured it in front of parents, who flapped their wings and screamed and swore.

The Black Cat Cadre had warned the boys to lay low, to stay off the street, but baby boys love playing big boys, so Tico and Rico ran down the block, as wild as the wind.

Brother Louie, the white booted golden tabby played tag with his sister Susie. They rolled on the lawn laughing in the middle of the block. Louie tickled Susie with his claws. Good brother, Louie, his mother’s pride showed signs of being special from the time they were weaned. All the queens noticed his erect head carriage, “What bearing and demeanor this young cat has!” many queens commented. Louie saw things other kittens didn’t like: bees pollinating flowers or squirrel young learning how to traverse a wire. He listened to the crows as they talked about what happened in the neighborhood. Even the grackles and the mockingbirds spoke to Louie. Tommy and Sunny Bright, the golden’s older cousins rough housed and teased Rico and Tico, but treated Louie with deference.

When the last Black Cat had checked in on the kittens before heading off the meeting in the park, he said, “Be cautious. Stay out of trouble. We’ll all be back before morning.”

Sweet Susie said, “Yes, Sir, we’ll be good.” Louie asked to go with, but the Black Cat said, ”No.”

As clouds covered the setting sun and wind whipped through the leaves, four kittens headed to the corner for a last nibble before bed. Tico and Rico ran ahead to grab first bite. They were sure this was the best day-ever. Louie walked slowly with Susie, all good with the siblings.

Ch-ch-ch, the sound emanated from the storm drains. Ch-ch-ch- grew louder and louder. The confused kittens looked around. Marching down the curb, single file like storm troopers the lead interloper stopped in front of the youngsters. “Step away from the food. You cats have had it easy. We want the food put out each morning and evening. We are stronger, smarter. We are the future. Get out while you can.”

Tico arched his back. His hair stood on end. He looked as big as a little cat could. He opened his mouth wide showing all his baby teeth. He spit in the leader’s face. The leader laughed, opened his long jaw exposing a mouthful of pointed teeth. A growl gurgled deep in his throat. It shot saliva into Tico’s face. All four ran for their lives. The masked bandits rolled in laughter. We win. We win. A bloodless invasion, let’s hear it for the raccoons.