Skeet, I knew, was sleeping at Munkustrap’s with Demeter watching over him. Vindonia was being kept busy by a reluctant Bombalurina. I knew that neither one of them wanted these jobs, but had grudgingly accepted them when Munkustrap asked.

“Macavity?”

I turned to face Jennyanydots. She smiled softly and reached out to touch Giselle. The tiny kitten moaned in her sleep and nestled closer against my shoulder. Jennyanydots looked up at me.

“Poor dear. Give her to me, Macavity. I’ll watch her for a moment.”

Somewhat reluctant, I handed the slight kitten over to my aunt. Giselle opened her eyes and let out a soft whimper. Her eyes focused on me nervously, then calmed when she saw that I didn’t look threatened. Jennyanydots smiled at me again and cuddled the kitten to her chest. Her eyes traveled back to a small car she had just walked out of.

“You might want to go see Orion now.”

I swallowed. “He’s going to die, isn’t he? You couldn’t save him.”

She shook her head quickly. “No, I don’t think so.”

“What? How? He was…”

“He was hurt pretty badly, that’s true, but I think he’ll pull through. Otto missed any organs that would’ve done him in. It’s a good thing that your brother decided to bring him back with you. Or else he would’ve bled to death, I’m sure.” She paused. “I think he’ll be fine, Macavity.”

“Thank Heavyside,” I breathed as my gaze fell to the ground.

She patted my arm and I looked back up at her. “Go on now. I’ll keep an eye on Giselle for you.”

“Thanks.”

I hesitated outside of the car, then climbed inside. The car smelled of medicines and natural remedies. I wrinkled my nose in slight disgust at the smell. The smell of sickness. I looked around the car’s interior and noticed my Aunt Jellylorum standing over one of the back seats. She was talking softly.

“Aunt Jelly?”

She spun around, startled. “Oh! My goodness, Macavity! You startled me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Macavity? That you?”

I swallowed. “Yeah, Ry. It’s me.”

Jellylorum moved aside so that I could approach Orion. He was propped up against a pile of pillows, a blanket drawn high up onto his chest. He looked as though Jennyanydots had scrubbed him clean. All traces of blood and dirt were, his coat a shiney white again. He grinned weakly.

“Hey! You’ve finally decided to some in and see me, huh?” he asked, his voice weak and soft.

“Well, of course I did. I would’ve come sooner, but they-” I pointed at Jellylorum with a smile “- wouldn’t let me. Plus, I had to wait for Gissy to drift off.”

He laughed, then coughed painfully. Jellylorum tensed. “No, Mac,” he said once he could speak again. “Don’t apologize. I was just playing with you. You need to lighten up some and have fun once in a while.”

“You scared me pretty badly,” I replied, my face falling. Orion’s eyes stayed on my face and he tilted his head ever so slightly.

“Why?”

“Because I thought you were going to die.”

He raised an eyebrow. “That’s very doubtful. I couldn’t die before you did.”

Sensing that he was beginning to mock me, I crossed my arms over my chest. “And why not?”

“Cuz you’re too freakin’ dumb to last long without me,” he answered. He pointed at my battered face. “Just look at you.”

“Thanks, Ry,” I replied sarcastically. Orion smirked, slumping back against the pillows, looking exhausted, but still wanting to talk. “So, how are you doing?”

With a frown, he shrugged. “All right, I guess. I’m just glad that Otto didn’t puncture anything.”

“I am, too.”

“If he had, I would’ve been dead,” Orion said, his voice turning wary and cold. “He didn’t really seem to notice that he didn’t kill me right away. So, I guess he didn’t finish me off like he would’ve otherwise.”

“Yeah,” I said grimly. “He was too busy trying to kill me than to worry about you.”

“He was?” I glanced at my friend quickly to see that this new news was a shock to him. He had probably realized that Otto was out to hurt me, but he might not have realized that he was trying to murder me. After all, he had been torturing everyone, not trying to kill anyone.

“Yeah. Luckily, he didn’t have enough to do anything to me.”

“Uh, Mac? Look at your nose. And your arm.”

I waved a paw at him impatiently. “He did that beforehand.” I glanced over at Jellylorum to find her looking acutely uncomfortable. I knew that she must’ve known about what Otto had done, but to hear about from the people who he had done it to must’ve been a little too much for her. I raised an eyebrow at Orion.

“How’re the kittens doing?” he asked, catching my hint.

“Well, Pippen’s fine. He’s out playing with some of the other kitten’s. I don’t exactly recall their names…”

Jellylorum looked up, happy to be talking about kittens. “I believe he’s playing with Pouncival and Electra. I saw them go running off together to play.” She frowned. “Only, I hope they haven’t found Jerrie and Teazer yet. Those two get the kittens into such trouble every time they run off to play with them.”

I laughed. “That sounds right. On both accounts. The names and about Jerrie and Teazer.”

“How about Gissy?” Orion asked.

“She’s doing better. At least she has her mother’s spirit despite her quietness. That’s something I’m grateful for.” I smiled. “I think she’ll be fine. Eventually. I think Vinny will, too. She’s still in shock, but she’s strong, too. And stubborn. Just like me.”

“I’d be shocked, too, if I went through what she did,” Orion replied softly. “And Skeet? How is he?”

I shook my head, suddenly depressed. “I don’t know. He’s still basically hysterical and screams and panics anytime someone tries to touch him. He also refuses to talk about anything that Otto did to him and last night he was screaming in his sleep. Every time I managed to get him to settle down and fall back asleep again, he’d start screaming again. I had to sleep with him in my arms most of the night.”

“Poor guy,” Orion murmured, looking away.

“I really hope Griddlebone gets here soon. He needs his mother. I mean, he’ll let me hold him and comfort him, but it’s not the same. Besides, he shivers whenever I hold him and I think he’s too scared to be held by anyone but her.”

Orion’s jaw set angrily. “Heavyside, what I wouldn’t give to have seen you kill that bastard.”

“Please, Ry,” I said softly. “Don’t. I just want to forget about him and everything he’s done to us. Please.”

Orion nodded. “Yes, of course you do. Doesn’t mean it will work, but I’ll try my best to not bring it up unless you want me to.” He paused for a moment. “I’ll talk to Skeet if he wants me to.”

“If. Thanks for the offer, but I don’t think he will. If he does, I’ll send him in.” I hesitated. “Are you going to be all right? I mean, are you going to have to stay in bed for very long?”

“I don’t know,” Orion replied. “Not too long, I don’t think. I’ll be able to walk and run and be my old self again in a few months, if that’s what you’re asking. I told you, it’s a good thing Otto wasn’t all that seriously about trying to kill me. I think it was more of a show for you what he did.”

“Maybe…”

Orion suddenly smiled. “C’mon, Mac, be happy. Everything worked out all right, in the end, don’t you think.”

I smiled weakly. “Yeah, you’re right. I guess it did.”

Jennyanydots appeared at the door, rocking a sleeping Giselle gently.

“Griddlebone’s here,” she said quietly. “Teazer’s bringing her down here right now.”

I grinned at Orion, unable to help myself, and took Giselle back in my arms. Walking swiftly, I left the car to go and find my mate.

~*~

“Macavity!”

Griddlebone raced towards me and into my arms, nearly crushing Giselle between us. Jostled rudely out of sleep, the tiny kitten opened her sleepy eyes and yawned.

“Momma?”

“Yes, baby, it’s me,” she replied, her voice cracking with emotion. She stroked the kitten’s face, then turned her eyes up to mine. “Heavyside, Macavity, I’m so glad you’re safe!”

“I’m just glad to see your beautiful face again,” I murmured, nuzzling my face against her headfur. She let out a shaky laugh and I moved back a little bit. I caught her chin in my paw and tilted her head up.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, staring into her beautiful eyes. Tears were glistening down her cheeks. She made a half hearted attempt to brush them away.

“I was so scared,” she managed to whisper. Giselle cocked her head.

“But, why, Momma?”

“Because I didn’t have you, sweetheart,” she answered, smiling a little. She kissed the kitten’s head affectionately, then tapped her on the nose. Giselle giggled, nestling back against my chest. “Why don’t you go and play with some of the other kitten’s darling, so that Daddy and I can talk?”

Giselle considered this for a moment, then nodded, as though giving us her supreme approval. “All right, Momma.”

I set our kitten down on the ground and she scampered off to find someone to play with. I turned back to Griddlebone and embraced her. She wrapped her arms around my neck and leaned her forehead against my chest.

“Was there another reason why you were so scared?” I asked quietly. She nodded.

“I thought you were dead,” she whispered.

“But, why?”

“Because…” she sniffed. “I… I’ve always noticed that Otto didn’t like you… I tried to make him change his mind, but… but he wouldn’t. When I saw Hyde, I… I knew he was out to get you. I should’ve known all along… but, I didn’t.” She wiped her eyes with a paw. “He’s so much bigger than you and I was terrified he’d kill you.”

“Can’t say he didn’t try,” I murmured.

She shuddered at the thought. “I know he did. God, Macavity, I know he did.” She looked up at my face. “How badly did he hurt you?”

“This-” I pointed to my nose, “-and this-” I pointed to my arm and broken wrist. Luckily, it was bandaged so that neither of us had to look at the scrapes and bruises I knew were forming on it. Griddleboen shook her head.

“I’m so sorry. We’ll have to discipline him.” She looked up at me. “If you can ever let him near the warehouse again.”

I bit my lip. “No. We can’t.”

“I understand,” she said softly, hanging her head in defeat. “He’s my son, but… so are Pippen and Skeet. And my little Gissy. I can’t ever let him hurt them again.”

“Griddlebone, he can’t.”

She looked up again, disbelief dawning in her eyes. “Why not?”

“He… he died.”

She stood motionless for a moment, then collapsed against me, sobs shaking her body. I hugged her closely to me, sinking down to the ground. She crawled into my lap like a small kitten, unable to do anything but sob for a few minutes. After a while, she gained enough control to speak.

“Why?” she sobbed. “Why did this have to happen? Was I a bad mother? Is that it? Did I not pay enough attention to him? Did I miss some sign?”

I shook my head, kissing her forehead gently. “No, darling. It wasn’t you. It wasn’t anything any of us could’ve stopped. Or controlled. If it had been, do think any of this would’ve happened?”

“No,” she wept softly.

“No, because I love you too much to let you be hurt like that,” I whispered.

She turned her face up to mine and sought a kiss. “I know you do, you crazy idiot. I love you, too.”

I shifted her out of my lap and stood. Bending, I helped her to her feet. I wrapped an arm around her waist and smiled down at her.

“C’mon, Grid. We should go see how Skeet’s doing.”

~*~

Old Deuteronomy greeted me with a smile and gestured for me to sit down. Too tired and drained to disagree, I sank down onto the ground across from where he was sitting.

“Well, Macavity, this certainly reminds of another time when you had gotten yourself into trouble, doesn’t it?”

“Please, grandfather. Don’t bring up old stories. I was such an idiot when I was a kitten.”

“I would beg to differ, but you wouldn’t hear me out.”

I laughed. “No, I probably wouldn’t.”

Suddenly serious, he touched my arm. “I don’t want you to be such a stranger anymore. I don’t want to wake up again to hear that you had been murdered.”

“But, I wasn’t murd-”

“That was the rumor going around the junkyard.” He offered me a smile. “Thankfully, it was untrue.”

“Yes.” I looked down at the ground.

“Go on, Macavity, get out of here.”

I looked back up, startled. “What?”

“I don’t want to take up any more of your time, my boy. You’re mate and kittens need you much more than I do at the moment.”

“Yes, they do, don’t they?” I stood and started to leave.

“Macavity?”

I turned back to him. “Yes?”

“Despite what you want everyone and yourself to believe, you’re still a Jellicle.”

~*~

For once, I saw a Jellicle Gathering the whole way through. I’d never seen one before as a kitten- the adults had always shipped us off to bed after the Naming Dance, having more dancing and singing afterwards. But now, with Giselle in my lap, sleeping, Pippen of playing with some of the Jellicle kittens, Skeet asleep in his mother’s lap, and Vindonia chatting lazily with some of the older queens, I realized that this wasn’t as corny and dull as I thought it would be. It wasn’t as grand as a Ball, but it did hold more than enough charm for anyone to appreciate.

I could see Hyde and Torra as well, sitting a ways off from the rest of the crowd. They had been relieved to learn that we were all right and had joined Griddlebone on her trip to the junkyard. Old Deuteronomy had allowed them inside and invited them to join in the festivities if they so desired. I knew Hyde wouldn’t, but Torra might. I wasn’t entirely sure.

After a few strenuous dances, the Jellicles seemed to separate from one another and moved off towards the sides to rest. I closed my eyes, feeling sleepy, but content. Griddlebone leaned her head against my shoulder and sighed.

“Isn’t this beautiful?” she whispered. “I had no idea these people were your kin.”

“It is, isn’t it?”

I started to drift off to sleep when a single voice began singing. I opened my eyes to see a smaller kitten standing in the clearing the Jellicles had made. I didn’t recall her name and only vaguely remembered seeing her before. Perhaps, she was one of Pippen’s new playmates.

“I’m so proud of my little girl,” Jennyanydots murmured. “Who would’ve thought that my little Electra would go up there and sing like that. She usually never sings in front of the Tribe.”

The rusty kitten glanced upwards, but not at the moo, like the one at the Ball had. Her clear, bright eyes were trained on a shooting star falling across the sky. The other Jellicles noticed and turned their heads up towards the sky. Griddlebone nudged me.

“Quick, Macavity! Make a wish!”

I looked around then.

I saw my four, beautiful kittens. Each so unique and wonderful in their own special ways. Each a funny combination of myself and Griddlebone. Running through their blood our strengths and weaknesses.

I saw my step-children and half-siblings. Both were so strong and independent, so like their mother, yet veering from her in fundamental ways. Yet, I knew, no matter how different they were, they couldn’t bear to allowed themselves to be separated from their mother.

I saw my brothers. One serious and one so fundamentally like a kitten. I saw how much they had grown since we were kittens, but, in some ways, they were they same as they had been years ago.

I saw Bombalurina, strong and solid as ever. Yet, I knew her weaknesses, perhaps even better than she did. And, I could only wonder what had become of our kitten together. I knew by the way she was still able to hold her head up high that the kitten was alive and well. Maybe our kitten didn’t know who it’s parents were, but Bombalurina hadn’t done what she had threatened and had decided to give it a chance.

Then, all at once, I saw everyone else’s faces spin past me. Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer makes jokes and playing pranks, Quaxo experimenting with his magic, Demeter dancing, Cassandra watching with her knowing eyes. Aunt Jenny and Aunt Jelly. Uncle Skimble. Alonzo being as suave as ever.

I looked at Orion, propped off to the side. He was watching the shooting star just as intently as anyone else. I noticed that he seemed relaxed and happy. Back to his old self again. I smiled slightly. I knew I owed him everything here tonight.

And, as I looked up to the sky again, I saw a twin pair of stars twinkle softly against the black velvet of the sky. Ira and Grizabella, I knew. They had promised to watch over me and it looked as though they were keeping just that promise.

Be good to Griddlebone. She loves you more than you know.

I smiled at the thought of Grizabella’s words. Everlasting Cat knew I would try. Harder than ever now.

Griddlebone noticed my smile and smiled back.

“Did you make a wish?”

“Nope.”

“Why not?” she asked, confused.

I wrapped an arm around her, kissing her lips gently. She put her free arm around me, her face smiling up at me.

“Because,” I said softly. “I don’t need to make a wish. Wishes are for people who want something they don’t have. And, I have everything I want right here.”


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