On September 30th at about 11:00pm, I got off my bus from work one stop early. No real thought to that, just did it. I nearly bumped into a girl as I stepped down, so I gamely said 'oops' to her and her doggie, a small Shepherd. I looked at the girl with warmth while saying hi to her dog, extending my hand under its nose.
I thought this girl was special. Just a feeling. Strong on the inside, delightful and gracious and sweet through and through. She had geek glasses and curly curls, her youthful manner seasoned with having been through some serious shit. I would learn her difficult story and witness her unsinkable spirit on our way to my apartment building's entrance. But back to the bus stop, where we're still chatting about the nice autumn temperature, her dog, my job, the price of coffee.
She: "Um, would you like a free cat?"
Me: ... ?
She reaches into a satchel I hadn't even really seen in the dark night, and draws out a little animal. It is so jet black and so small I have to focus to make it out. But there were the big golden eyes, clearly a bit nervous, but not spooked. The girl handed the kitten to me. I took a look at those eyes, the sprightly little ears, her sleek fur. I stroked the little neck. The kitten nuzzled her face into the crook of the sleeve of my black work jacket, and all four of us started our walk to 9th and Madison.
I'll continue tomorrow.
