"I said I was sorry, Matt." Jeff said for a fifth time since the accident. Jeff had been trying to find his book bag in the back seat of the rental they were driving from New Orleans to Baton Rouge when he spilled his drink over the bag holding Matt's last clean change of cloths. And they didn't have time to do laundry because they only had an hour until they were needed at the arena.
"It's okay, Jeff. I know it was an accident." Matt said as they got out and made their way to the entrance.
Jeff gave him a weak smile then followed a few steps behind Matt knowing that his brother would need time to cool down.
Jeff was about to say something else when a young boy sitting beside Walmart's doors with a basket beside him caught his attention.
"I'll catch up with you later, Matt." Jeff called seeing a sign with the magic words. Free kittens.
"Okay. Meet me here in twenty minutes." Matt said not even looking knowing that he would get angry to see his brother right then.
Jeff knelt by the basket and pulled the small blanket off to find only one small black kitten laying there looking sad.
"Why hasn't any one taken this little guy?" Jeff asked picking the tiny kitten up and holding it to his neck and let it rub against his chin.
"Nobody wanted him, mister... Cause he's the runt." the boy smiled sadly up at the multicolored haired man. "If I can't give him away before my dad gets here he's gonna kill him."
Jeff looked at the ten year old in out rage then smiled. "I'll take him."
The boy gave him a huge smile and nodded before picking the basket up. "Thank you, sir. I think he'll have a good life with you. Bye."
The boy walked away and Jeff cradled the tiny cat closer as it shivered. "Hey, it's okay... You need a name." Jeff muttered to himself as he walked back to the car and let himself in.
Jeff pulled his over shirt off and wrapped the kitten up so it could snuggle. "What to name you."
He looked at the small cat then grinned when he spotted his copy of the newest of the Anita Blake books. "Nathanial. Your name is Nathanial after the original wussy pussy."
The kitten just stared up at him with bright blue green eyes and Jeff laughed as Nathanial
lapped at his chin.
Nathanial had just settled down when Matt climbed back into the car and set his bag of clothes into the back.
"Let's get going so that we're not late." Matt said as he started the car and pulled into traffic.
He said nothing as they drive until they were stopped at a stop light and Matt noticed the bundled shirt in his brother's lap was moving.
"Jeff, what are you doing?" Matt asked as he watched a slim black thing slipped out. "What the hell is that!"
Jeff glanced down and blushed as he pulled out the small kitten.
"What the hell is that?" Matt demanded as he pulled into the arena.
"A kitten... Matt meet Nathanial, my new pet." Jeff said recovering the kitten in the shirt before getting his bag and going into the arena.
Matt groaned and followed.
********
Jeff was laughing and playing with Nathanial as Matt came out of the shower.
"Are you ready?" Matt asked as Jeff sat the kitten on his shoulder and the small creature began to play with a loose strand of blue hair.
"Yep... Let's go!" Jeff started for the door only to have Matt stop him. "What?"
"You can't take the cat out there."
"Yes, I can." Jeff said walking past Matt and out to where they would wait for their match.
*******
"JR, would you take care of Nathanial for me?" Jeff said holding out the kitten to the announcer.
"Sure." JR smiled at the almost innocent look of delight in the younger Hardy's eyes.
Jeff handed him the cat and went on to the ring.
*********
Nathanial stretched as he lay with his new father. On the other side of the bed lay his father's brother, his new uncle Matt. Both were sleeping soundly.
He liked his new father, but he missed his brothers and sisters. He also knew that with these two he would have a very good life. He had already been given real fish for supper. Before this he had never had anything other than his mother's milk and some cat food.
He had even been given a real name. Nathanial Hardy. This was something he had never expected to get. He had figured he would be killed because no one would want him, the runt.
Nathanial stood up and moved around a little. Then he jumped to the floor before moving to stand on the top of the dresser. He wanted to be like his new father. Wanted to please his new father. He stood on the top of the dresser and then jumped, twisting, trying to imitate his father and uncle's movements.
When he landed on his feet Nathanial jumped up and went back up to try to do it again. And again. And again. And again. Until he got it right.
Nathanial would make his father proud of him.
