I go to the eye-doctor who tells me I have a mild corneal abrasion and he gives me vasocidin which I'm to drop into my eyes every four hours. Dennis isn't talking to me and Mia is putting my dangling earrings in her ears.
I come home with yellow dye on my eyelids and Mia greets me by throwing herself at my feet and rolling, rolling, rolling. She arches her neck and undulates along the rug. Her hands reach out and stroke my shoes.
"Get up. Don't do that."
"Heaven," says Mia. Her eyes are heavily lined, and she's been into my lipstick as well. She scrambles to her feet and whirls around the living room, one gypsy earring swinging luxuriously under her short black hair. Her dress is different. It's my old purple leather disco skirt.
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do?" I moan.
Mia darts to the window and presses herself against the glass. "Heaven," she says again, rubbing her pubis voluptuously against the sill. Dennis is walking resolutely up the outside stairs.
I intercept him, pulling the apartment door shut behind me. Mia looks through the window, a pale freckled girl face. Dennis can't see that she isn't a cat.
"What do you want?"
"I want my electric shaver."
"I'll mail it to you."
"I think we ought to talk about this," he says, moving toward the door. I block his path. "Aren't you letting things get a little out of hand? Why can't we just talk?"
"Not inside my house."
"Let me out! Let me out!" cries Mia, her breasts pressed against the glass.
"If you want to shut me out of your life, then fine, but I have a RIGHT to MY THINGS!" shouts Dennis.
"Chill out, Dennis. I'll get the shaver for you."
I go inside; Mia makes a dash for the door but I grab her arm and shove her into the bedroom.
"Listen here," I say as she writhes under my grip. "You cut that out now."
"Ow, owww!" Mia complains. She wants to get her hands under her skirt.
Dennis is pounding on the door.
"Just a goddamn minute!" I scream, and drag Mia into the wardrobe and close and lock it with its little Victorian key. She makes a horrendous noise, muffled and clanking.
I ransack the bathroom and gather up Dennis's toothbrush and shaver.
"Here you are," I say at the door and fling them at him.
"Let's be..."
"No!"
"Jesus Christ! It's just a CAT! I don't believe this..."
I slam the door and chain lock it.
Shaking, I collapse on the couch. There is a scratching in the bedroom. Still shaking, I turn the key and free Mia from her prison, a demure and grateful tabby in heat. She drapes my ankles with her purrs.
Sally Caves
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