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  Jack: A Lady's Cat

  J. Paul Cooper

  Published by J. Paul Cooper, 2020.

  While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

  JACK: A LADY'S CAT

  First edition. November 29, 2020.

  Copyright © 2020 J. Paul Cooper.

  Written by J. Paul Cooper.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  About the Author

  To my wife Mary-Elizabeth, editor and best friend, and my daughter Catherine, who fills my life with love and laughter.

  To God, who gave me a vivid imagination and the desire and talent to write.

  To my parents, my grateful thanks for their love, support and prayers.

  Chapter One

  Janice Earl hopped out of bed, and rushed downstairs in her housecoat. Isabelle, her cat, was pregnant, and she wanted to see whether her friend had delivered a litter during the night. Walking into the kitchen, she was greeted by the meow of the proud new mom. In the box with her were three kittens.

  Janice leaned over and slowly stroked her friend’s fur coat. "You sure have a beautiful litter Isabelle."

  Isabelle couldn't have agreed more. There was a white female kitten, an orange male kitten, and a black and white male kitten. The cat that immediately caught Janice’s attention was the kitten with the thick black and white fur. She reached down and picked him up.

  Janice held the little kitten close to her and softly stroked his fur. He hung onto

  her housecoat with his claws, because he had never been lifted off the ground before. A supporting hand underneath him made him feel safer, and it wasn't long before he started to relax. He could sense that he was in no danger. Her touch was gentle, and her voice

  soothing.

  Isabelle watched Janice lifting her kitten from the box. She trusted Janice, because

  she had always been her friend. If anyone else had tried to touch one of her kittens so soon after birth, they would have had a fight on their hands. After a few minutes Janice placed the little black and white kitten back into the box. It was so comfortable next to his brothers and sisters, as they cuddled together against their mom's soft fur. The reassuring presence of her scent and the warmth of her body allowed her kittens to sleep peacefully.

  ***

  As the kittens became older, they began to climb out of the box and follow Isabelle around the farmhouse. Watching their mother, and playing with each other, they learned the skills needed to hunt and defend themselves. But nothing was as enjoyable as a nap; anywhere, anytime.

  The kittens looked forward to spending time with their mom’s friend Janice, because they knew she loved cats. When she was sitting on the couch, Isabelle and the whole litter would hop onto the sofa and start rubbing against her with their fur coats. Janice’s eyes would light up, and soon she would be walking over to the refrigerator to get them a treat. Following Janice to the refrigerator, Isabelle would turn to her kittens and happily swish her tail. "Meow: It works every time."

  ***

  Isabelle’s favourite place to relax with her kittens, was in the barn loft. From there, they could look out and see the world beyond the farm.

  "Have you ever noticed how relaxed Janice is, when she listens to me purring?" Isabelle asked her kittens.

  “I’ve noticed,,” the orange kitten answered, "and Janice always smiles when she sees you."

  The black and white kitten was also curious. "Did your mom bring you out to the

  barn too?”

  "No," replied Isabelle, "I wasn't born on this farm. I lived with another family, until I was adopted by Janice."

  The black and white kitten was confused. "Why didn't they keep you?"

  Isabelle smiled and rubbed her whiskers against the black and white kitten's face. "They let me come and live on the farm with Janice, because they already had my mother, and they knew that Janice loved cats too. I came here as a kitten, and Janice has been my friend ever since. Some day soon you'll meet a friend, and your life will change too."

  The black and white kitten was shocked by the thought of leaving the farm. "This is my home, and I’m not going anywhere!"

  Isabelle wrapped her tail around his shoulders and meowed softly. "It isn’t easy to leave your home, but every cat has an important responsibility. People need cats to comfort them when they’re lonely, and help them relax when they’re tense. It's hard to

  explain, but when you meet your friend, you'll understand."

  The white kitten was confused. "Why can't we just stay here?"

  "You can't stay here, because there is someone who needs you," replied Isabelle.

  Now the kitten with the white fur was curious. "Where’s my friend?"

  Isabelle walked to edge of the loft and looked out at the dirt road that ran near the farmhouse. "Out there.”

  “You must be persistent," continued Isabelle, "because it may take a while for you to

  train your friend. I’ve had plenty of time to teach Janice how I like things. She knows when to let me out and what brand of cat food I like, but it didn't happen overnight. Sometimes your friend can be very stubborn, and you have to be patient. Always remember you are a cat, and that means you think for yourself. Dogs come when they are called; cats come when they want to."

  Isabelle looked over at Ranger, the family dog, who had wrapped his rope around

  a post near his doghouse. "Ranger has been tying himself up like that ever since they brought him to the farm three years ago. He still hasn't figured it out yet. They don't need to put a leash on me, to keep me out of trouble."

  The black and white kitten stood near his mother. "What kind of trouble does

  Ranger get himself into?"

  Isabelle wasn't quite sure how to explain that Rover chewed sneakers, and just about anything that couldn't move faster than him. "Let's just say that Rover has poor eating habits."

  The orange kitten looked at his sister. "Dogs eat out of garbage cans."

  The white kitten was shocked. "No wonder Ranger smells so bad!"

  ***

  About three months after the kittens were born, Janice started posting pictures of the kittens online. It wasn’t long before Janice received a call from Split River, the nearby town where Janice and her husband bought groceries and farm supplies. The young woman on the phone was Jennifer Harris.

  Janice immediately recognized the caller’s voice. Everyone knew the Harris family. Their hardware store was one of those places that seemed to have always been part of Split River. Janice told Jennifer that she’d love to show her the new kittens and invited her to come over Saturday morning. For Jennifer, Saturday morning would be the start of a new friendship. For one of Isabelle's kittens, it would be the start of an adventure.

  ***

  Driving over from Split River early Saturday morning, Jennifer Harris had a lot on her mind. She had just started a new job at Coastal City University, as the bookstore manager and she was renting an apartment near the campus. Her mother had suggested that she get a pet to keep her company, and a kitten seemed to be an ideal choice.

  ***

  Isabelle was grooming her kittens in the barn loft, as the orange kitten watched a car driving towards the farmhouse. "Who owns that car Mom?"

  Isabelle looked down at the car from the loft. "This visitor is very important. Let’s go meet her."

  The black and white kitten, hurried to
keep up with his mother. "Why is she an important visitor?”

  “Do you remember me telling you that people need cats?" asked Isabelle. "Last night I heard Janice talking on her cell phone. This lady is here to find a new friend."

  The kitten with the black and white fur knew that meant the visitor was here to take one of them home with her. He had no intention of leaving. "I won't like her."

  Isabelle turned to the black and white kitten. "You haven't even met her."

  He had already made his mind up. "She'll have dog hairs on her clothes, and cold hands!"

  ***

  Janice walked out to greet Jennifer as she was getting out of her car. "Hi Jennifer. How’s life in the big city? I heard you got a job at Coastal City University.”

  Jennifer shrugged. "I’m thankful to have a job, some of my friends are having a hard time finding work. I found an apartment near the campus, I can walk to work in

  twenty minutes, and I can drive to the harbour in fifteen.”

  Janice laughed. “Now I’m getting jealous, I love the ocean.”

  Janice was still talking with Jennifer when Isabelle and her family came into view. Isabelle was proud to show off her well-groomed kittens, any one of them could take first prize in a cat show.

  Janice leaned over and picked up her friend. "This is Isabelle."

  Jennifer was impressed. "She has beautiful fur."

  Isabelle was flattered. "Meow: Well, I do try."

  Jennifer leaned over and started to pet the kittens. The white kitten turned to her brother with the orange fur. "Meow: Cat person. I can tell."

  Jennifer started to scratch the kitten with the orange fur behind the ears. "Meow: Oh yeah, she knows just where to scratch."

  The black and white kitten tried to pretend he wasn’t interested. "Meow: I'm not impressed. You've seen one person, you've seen them all." He didn’t want to admit that he thought she had beautiful eyes, and a nice voice.

  Jennifer reached down and picked up the kitten with the black and white fur. When he squirmed, she laughed. “So, you’re playing hard to get.”

  The kitten tried to resist becoming attached, but it was a losing battle. He began to relax as Jennifer stroked his fur coat with her soft hands. Try as he might, he couldn't help himself; he closed his eyes and began to purr.

  Hi mother Isabelle was amused. "Meow: I thought you wouldn’t like her."

  The kitten opened one eye. "Meow: Well, I suppose she's alright."

  Janice smiled at Jennifer. "I think it's obvious that you've made up your mind."

  Jennifer looked at the other kittens one more time. They were all beautiful, but the kitten with the thick black and white fur had captured her heart. "I don't know how you can give them away."

  "Neither do I,” replied Janice. “Do you have any idea what you're going to call him?”

  Jennifer held up the kitten, looking in his eyes, and grinning from ear to ear. “I

  don’t know exactly why, but I think his name is Jack.”

  Janice stood by the car holding Isabelle in her arms, as Jennifer placed the kitten in a pet carrier. Isabelle was sad to see her kitten leave, but something inside told her that Jennifer would take good care of him.

  "Meow: I'll miss you Mom!" Jack called out from the pet carrier.

  Isabelle had one last question, just to make sure her kitten was really prepared to leave the farm. "Meow: What's the most important rule that all cats must know?"

  Jack knew the answer by heart. "Meow: Cats are always right."

  Isabelle was proud of her kitten. "Meow: Always!"

  ***

  As Jennifer and her new friend started the drive back to Coastal City, Jack became drowsy and drifted off to sleep. Any time was a good time for a nap.

  When Jack awoke from his sleep, he could hear Jennifer speaking to him. He was still in the pet carrier, being taken from the car. "Well Jack, we're home. Did you have a good nap?"

  "Meow: Yes. I had an excellent nap."

  They went through a door, and then they were in a large box. The doors of the

  large box closed, and it started moving. It was very confusing for Jack, because he had never been in an elevator before. He was relieved when the doors of the large box opened

  Jennifer carried Jack a short distance down a hallway, and opened the door to her apartment. Once she had closed the door, she placed the pet carrier to the middle of the

  living room. Jennifer sat down on the carpet next to the pet carrier. "Welcome to your new home Jack."

  Jack stepped out of the pet carrier, feeling the soft carpet under his paws. He looked around the apartment with wide eyes. This place wasn't at all like the barn or the farmhouse.

  While Jack walked slowly around the living room, inspecting everything, Jennifer walked over to the kitchen and took two plastic dishes from a bag on the counter. After she poured some water in one of the dishes, she opened the refrigerator door. Jack stopped and spun around; he knew that sound.

  An instant later Jack was brushing his fur coat and tail against Jennifer's legs. "Meow: So, what's for supper?"

  Jennifer scooped some cat food into the second dish and placed it on the floor. Jack smelled the cat food, and then tasted it. "Meow: An excellent choice.”

  After he finished his meal, Jack walked over to Jennifer, who was sitting on the sofa, talking on her cell phone. "He has the most beautiful soft fur Sally. You just have to meet him. Are you coming over this weekend?"

  Whoever Sally was, Jack hoped that she appreciated cats the way that Jennifer did. Jack hopped onto the sofa. How could a cat possibly resist cuddling with someone who had such soft hands? Jennifer picked him up and held him close. "How's my handsome guy?"

  Jack liked that. "Meow: Just fine. How's my pretty lady?"

  Later that evening, when it was time for Jennifer to go the bed, Jack followed her into the bedroom. It seemed natural that he would sleep on the bed. As Jennifer slipped under the covers, Jack hopped onto the end of the bed and walked up to her pillow. She greeted him with a big smile.

  "Well, I guess you've already decided where to sleep."

  Jennifer spent a few minutes playing with her new friend before she turned off the

  light. Playing was fun, but it had been a long day for the kitten. Jack snuggled next to Jennifer and drifted off to sleep.

  The next day Jennifer woke up, knowing that she would have to leave Jack alone in the apartment for the day. She was feeling guilty about leaving, but sooner or later he’d have to get used to her going to work.

  Jack ate his breakfast while Jennifer was dressing in the bedroom. When she came out, she looked quite different. The day before she’d been wearing jeans, and a T-shirt, but today, she had on dress pants and a blouse. Jack was impressed, she had good taste in clothes.

  When Jennifer opened the closet by the door, Jack slipped inside. She pulled Jack out and closed the door. “I don’t think you’d like to spend the day in there.”

  The cat watched as she put on a jacket. He knew that meant she was leaving.

  "Meow: Where are you going?"

  Jennifer leaned over and petted his fur coat. "I have to go to work, but I'll be back

  later today."

  Jack was not happy about being left alone, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it. After listening to Jennifer’s walk down the hallway, Jack decided it was the perfect opportunity to explore the apartment. There were excellent places to hide under, like the coffee table, and the bed. He especially liked to hop from the back of the sofa to the top of the china cabinet; where he felt like a king looking down from his castle wall.

  Jennifer didn’t return home until 5:30 pm. The cat was not amused. As she used her keys to open the apartment door, he sat on the sofa sulking. She had not even visited him during the day to see if there was anything he needed. Jack decided that he

  would sit right there on the arm of the sofa and refuse to cuddle. She would get the message that he did not approve of her bei
ng away so long.

  Jennifer was tired. It had been a busy day at the university bookstore. On the way home, she dropped by her favorite Chinese restaurant and picked up a take-out dinner. As Jennifer opened the door, the aroma of the Chinese food drifted through the apartment. Jack’s keen sense of smell immediately told him that she had something very tasty in the brown paper bag.

  Jack hopped off of the sofa and scurried across the carpet towards her.

  "Meow: Jennifer, my best friend! I've missed you so much. What have you got in the bag?" Jack rubbed against Jennifer's legs and purred while his friend scooped some noodles into his dish. Jack had never eaten Chinese food before. It was delicious!

  So began a tradition; whenever Jennifer went out for dinner, she always brought home a treat for Jack. Life with Jennifer was about as good as a cat could hope for; lots of

  love, treats, great belly rubs and long naps.

  Jack’s schedule began at 6:00 am every morning: breakfast. Often Jennifer tried to ignore Jack and continue resting in bed, but Jack would not accept a delay. As his mother had often told himself and the other kittens, "Sometimes people can be quite stubborn, so don't give up easily. Sooner or later, they'll come around."

  If Jennifer didn’t get up immediately at 6:00 am, Jack would hop from the bed to the dresser, and swat perfume bottles with his paws. If that didn't work, he'd hop onto

  the nightstand and knock the receiver off the phone. One way or the other, he'd make sure that Jennifer knew it was his breakfast time. Usually on weekday mornings he was able to get Jennifer up to feed him at 6:00 am. Weekends were a different matter. For instance,

  one Saturday morning....

  "Jack! It's 6:00 am in the morning! This is the first chance that I've had to sleep in all week. Leave me alone."

  "Meow: You can go back to sleep as soon as you get my breakfast." Jack walked up from the foot of Jennifer's bed and stood on her chest, breathing into her face.

  "Meow: I protect the apartment all day long while you're at the university. Is this

  all the thanks I get?"