MEETING NEW FRIENDS
I was not complaining. In fact, I became accustomed to living in room number 105. It was large, beautiful and elegant. Most important off all, it was safe.
Later, I heard several knocks on my window. Lo and behold, I saw a very beautiful cat carrying a million dollar smile on her face. I felt a powerful obligation to speak to her. "Hey, what's going on? You startled me."
"Oh, umm, please forgive me. I live around here. I have been eyeing you ever since you arrived at the Garrison Apartments a couple of months ago. However, that is not why I am here. It is not the first time that I was standing so close to your window. I’ve done so on numerous occasions, three of which occurred when your mother barged into your room and told you to turn off the television."
"Wow, what do you know about that?" I asked.
"Wait before we continue our conversation don't you think it's appropriate to formally introduce ourselves. My name is Manuela Casablanca. In addition, to tell you the truth, I never saw a more handsome cat than you did. I could tell by the way you moved and spoke, there was something inherently special about you."
I paused for a moment then spoke. "My name is Jason Abbott. I was born in Nebraska. I have always been rich. My parents have really earned a very long retirement. Now, forgive me for being overly direct, but why are you here? Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy you being here, and would like to befriend you if that's all right?"
“Well, come on, silly! Are you going to invite me in? Or maybe, you’re afraid of me?”
“Oh, no, that’s not the case. I am not afraid of you, nor do I have any bad feelings or intent towards you. In fact, I am quite flabbergasted that you decided to come here to converse with me. You see, although my parents have given me all the amenities that I need, and an insurmountable more, I am still an animal. In addition, as such, I need animal companionship. The only people I speak to on this floor are humans. Sure, some of the other tenants on other floors are animals, but for the most part, they are quite reserved.
You can come in. Pull the tiny latch to the left and then open the window screen. It’s quite easy.” Manuela frowned for a second, indicating that she felt insulted by my using the word ‘easy’. Of course, she knew it would be easy. As soon as she opened the window screen, she entered my apartment and then closed the window screen behind her. She leaped onto my bed landing beside me.
We shook paws and then talked about various topics. We were hooked on each other until I took notice that it was already 8:30 in the morning, past breakfast time. Something was not right. Breakfast was usually between 7:00 A.M. and 8:00 A.M. Anyway, I got down to business.
“Manuela, you were going to tell me something about my parents always catching me in the act whenever I watch an objectionable show. Well, what is it?”
“Jason, listen up very carefully. First please don’t be offended by what I’m about to say.” I grinned without baring my teeth. “Your parents have installed a tracker on or in your television or cable box. I am not an expert on this matter, but I am certain this is the case. Living outdoors and near apartments, well, I have heard it all. It will not be the first time either. More so, I presume that when you arrived here the entire apartment was fully furnished. In addition, that includes your television and home phone. Is that correct?” I nodded yes.
“You mean to tell me, I mean, my parents are spying on me. Wow, although this revelation is shocking, it is not surprising. My parents have always been over-controlling, over-bearing, and suspicious. Their suspicion is oftentimes targeted upon strangers or people whom they think are evil or below us.”
“Huh, Jason, what do you mean below us?” As soon as I was getting ready to answer Manuela’s question I heard a knock on my door. “Manuela, please leave my apartment immediately! You must understand if I had my way you’d be a permanent occupant in this apartment.”
Manuela promptly exited my apartment, not forgetting to close the window screen behind her. “Jason, breakfast is ready. Mother and I will be waiting for you in the kitchen. We will be counting the minutes; that is a hint, if you know what I mean. Once again, I was bewildered at the timing of it all. I had to be on the lookout. My parents’ nosiness was gradually becoming unbearable.
Manuela and I met daily for the following week. Everything was fine between us. We timed our rendezvous just right, doing so when my parents were either asleep, taking a nap, or were out. I had to find out how my parents were tracking my television viewing of questionable shows.
I waited until midnight to make my move. I got on the internet in search of a nearby service center that would help me find my answer. After thirty minutes of strenuous searching, I was able to find six potential helpers.
The first on the list was the most convenient of all. Gary’s Electronic Equipment and Software Protection Service provided twenty-four hours service, seven days a week throughout the entire year, even working on holidays.
I turned off my computer and then reached for my mobile. However, before I could make my call I saw movement of shadows through the crack of my door. Judging from the movement, the standstill, and then movement, on-and-on for roughly a minute, someone was standing behind the door. The intent of which was no doubt to spy on me. Once again, the timing was ominous. My parents were monitoring me. More so, I believed that they were mentally ill. I inhaled deeply in order to scent the person behind the door. To my utter shock, I smelled both of my parents. One of my parents was standing away from the door while the other one paced the door.
My parents forbade me from having a lock on my door. Therefore, either of the two could open my door at will. I acted instinctively, slithering under the curtains and then turning off my mobile. Barely a moment later, someone carefully opened my bedroom door. It was as though the person opening it wanted to catch me in the act of doing something terrible. I closed my eyes then took one quick, wholehearted sniff in order to determine who the culprit was. As expected, it was my mother.
Shockingly, my mother hovered over my bed for an entire hour. I almost went mad! If she had stayed there for another fifteen or so minutes, I would have ripped open my bed cover and then left home for good. However, at the same time, I was also very scared. On several past occasions, my mother held a cleaver in her hand while disciplining me.
As soon as mother exited my room, I leaped onto the carpet and then dragged a chair to the door, blocking any attempt of an outside entry into my apartment. I understood that there could be no call until after I knew that the coast was clear. I gently placed my mobile on my bed and then stealthily left my room heading to my parent’s bedroom. Upon entering their room, I sniffed the air, cropped up my ears, and focused on their images using my incredible feline night vision.
I stayed in place, focused on my parents for roughly 30 seconds before deciding that they were in fact asleep and not putting on an act in order to deceive me. I left their room and then headed back to mine. As soon as I was on my bed, I took hold of my mobile phone and then made what was to be until then, the most important call of my entire life.
After six rings, a man answered. “Hello, this is Gary Bell of Gary’s Electronic Equipment and Software Protection Services, how may I help you?”
“Mr. Bell, are you the owner of this company?” I received an affirmative response. “Mr. Bell, this is my problem in a nutshell. My parents are the biggest snoops in the whole world. At this moment, I am certain that there is some kind of a tracking device somewhere near my 70-inch HD Sony television. Every single time I watch a questionable show one or the other of my parents conveniently enters my room then snatches the remote and leaves. Sometimes I receive the same old lecture and threat. Can you help me, and how much do you charge for your services?”
“First, I need to ask you a few questions, okay?” I answered yes. “Are you a little boy?” I answered yes. “Do you live in an apartment complex?” I answered yes. “Are your parents sound-asleep, and are you certain of this?” I answered yes.
“Okay, listen up very carefully. I want you to promise me that you will never ever tell anyone in the whole world that I helped you.” Okay. “What’s more, because you’re a ‘little boy’ I will waive all fees and taxes. I am the owner of this company therefore, I can do as I please, but still, I am terrified of all potential lawsuits.
“I want you to position yourself behind your television.” I did as told. “Okay, now, I want you to search diligently for a square or round-shaped object that’s about the size of a dime. This device has a magnet, allowing it to easily and non-obstructively attach to the plastic frame.”
“Okay, Mr. Bell, I see it. It is roundish and black-coloured. Now what do I do?”
“Okay, kid, I want you to gently remove it. Then I want you to read the letter and model type of this device.”
“Umm, let me see, okay, T-655A. Now what do you want me to do?”
“Okay, that’s perfect. The letter T stands for ‘Tracking’ and the 655A indicates that it is the basic model. Kid, you have a few options, return the device as is, neutralize it and then return it, remove and destroy it, or remove it and then confront your parents. I’m totally against the latter.”
“Mr. Bell, I want to neutralize this horrible device and then I want to return it to where I found it. I won’t say a word to my parents, but at least I’ll know they can’t track my television viewing.”
“Kid, I assume you have your own bedroom?” I answered yes. “Do you have a lock on your door?” I answered no. “Be careful and good luck. Another thing, kid, be careful what you say on the phone and there may be hidden cameras in your domicile.
“Mr. Bell, you’re a very good man, a true hero at heart. Coming from me, that means a lot. I have never said that to anyone aside from my parents. I hope that someday I can return this beautiful, priceless favour. Goodbye and good luck in your business ventures.”
“Kid, it was my pleasure. I know what it is like to have snoopy parents. If you ever need my advice on this or a similar matter, just call me. I respect your desire to maintain anonymity, so if you cannot reach me directly tell the person who answers your call that your name is Kid. Goodbye.”
I turned off my mobile and then sat still for roughly fifteen minutes. Although I was flabbergasted that I would found the tracking device, I was nervous about the possibility of having one or more hidden cameras in my room, worse yet throughout our apartment. At the fifteen-minute mark, I leaped out of my bed, then walked to the chair, and then pulled it back to its original place. I returned to bed, slid under the covers and then closed my eyes, instantly falling asleep; perhaps this was because I had stayed up so late and the overwhelming stress I felt.
For the following six months, everything appeared to be in order. Manuela snuck into my apartment once or twice a day. Although I was still a young cat, I had grown up quite a bit since moving to Pennsylvania.
Finally, it got to the point wherein we had to see each other up to three times a day; even this was the bare minimum. We were addicted to each other. If I had been a little older and self-sufficient, a marriage proposal would have been in the making. Regrettably, my parents were very meticulous about who I could befriend, let-alone fall in love with, or marry.
Logic dictated that Manuela and I see each other in secret until I was able to fend for myself and leave home. Otherwise, something quite terrible would ensue. Luck had it that I would soon find out. In addition, to tell you the truth, it was a very ugly situation.
It happened on a beautiful star-studded Friday night. Manuela came over for a visit. She gently tapped on the window screen, thereby alerting me. I had somehow fallen asleep. Shockingly, I forgot to check the status of my parents. Perhaps subconsciously I assumed they would be asleep as usual.
Using hindsight, I say, 'you should've known better'! "Manuela, leap onto my bed. I have some milk and cookies on the table lamp. You can have one of the 500ml cartons of milk I will take the other. As for the cookies, you can clearly see there is a humungous mound of them; take as much as you please, and do not be embarrassed or apprehensive. I have never pulled back in my generosity towards you.
Manuela, you are the girl of my dreams. I wish I were older; a marriage proposal and kittens would be in the making. There is no one on this entire planet that I ... umm ... I'm having a hard time saying it, please forgive me." I noticed a look of despair on Manuela's face. I had to swallow my lion pride; “Manuela, I love you very much. More so, you have literally transformed my life around. You can't imagine how much I think about you."
That put a big smile on Manuela's face. "Oh, Jason, I love you too! In addition, I too cannot live without thinking about you. You have made me ever so happy. I am so glad that I built up the courage to introduce myself to you, and to become a beloved friend. I was not sure what your attitude was going to be like. You know something, the Garrison Apartments, and well, actually, this whole cluster of apartment complexes is full of snub-nosed people. They'd never even speak to me, let-alone love me."
"Manuela, please help yourself with the snacks don’t be shy. I'll turn on the television I don't really want to watch anything we'll use it for background entertainment, okay?" Manuela agreed. "I've gotten so used to living here I can now refer to this place as 'home sweet home'. My previous home in Nebraska is fast becoming a faded memory; thanks to you my love."
Manuela and I conversed for roughly an hour. Honestly, I had the most fun in my whole life. It seemed like nothing in the world could come between us. Sadly, Manuela and I were dead wrong. My parents were spying on us.
A voice in the dark startled us. We landed on my bed, shook our heads, and then listened to the voice. "How dare you bring that little snotty street urchin into our home? She is nothing but a homeless, feral, wild, savage-like animal! I want her out of here immediately, and if this illegal Mexican alien cat who calls herself Manuela ever returns to our apartment I will notify animal control, the INS (The Immigration and Naturalization Service), the FBI, the CIA, the mob, state and local police, or whomever can help your father and me punish her."
I could not believe it. My so-called beloved parents entered my room undetected. I guess we were so entranced with each other nothing else in the world mattered. Honestly, the thought of leaving home with Manuela raced through my mind. Unfortunately, I was too young and unable to take care of myself. I had limited resources and was underage. More so, I would also have to worry about Manuela.
Now, it was my father's turn to speak. "Jason, your mother and I are respected members of our community. We are retired professionals who each make six digit salaries every single year. When we were working full time there were years that we over a million dollars. We cannot have a homeless cat enter our apartment, and do the unthinkable, befriend and then fall in love with our only son. It cannot happen!
Young kitty, listen to me very carefully. If you care about your own safety and that of your family's, stay away from our beloved son. If you return even once, there will be severe consequences; do not take this statement as a hyperbole or even as a slight exaggeration of any sort. Mrs. Abbott and I have very powerful and potentially dangerous friends. No one is going to cry over a dead homeless cat, especially someone from your ethnic background. Do I make myself clear?"
I shifted my gaze onto Manuela. She had been crying without making a sound. "Jason, it's over. Please do not fight your parents; do not even argue with them about me. You are living in their apartment. If they hate me as much as I suspect, you and I cannot be together. Jason, forget me. I think I must do the same to you. Find another girl; I will find another person. Please, do not argue with me. It will be futile. Your parents have made up their mind, and I care about my family and self. Perhaps this is for the better. Maybe, you and I are in a dream world. This kind of love and infatuation probably doesn't happen in the real world."
Manuela lowered her head, paused for a moment, and then gave me a kiss on each cheek. "Jason, you know very well that I'll always love you. I’ll never forget you, nor will I ever find a guy that can equal your stature or rank in love, honour, respect, and kindness." Manuela leaped onto the window panel, opened the window screen and then left. She forgot to close the window screen.
”Mom, dad, just go away! I don’t want to speak to anyone in the whole world, except for my own self.” This time, I could not hold back my anger. “Mom, dad, right now I’m too young to leave home, but one day I’ll be old enough to survive away from your ever watchful eyes.”
My parents shrugged their shoulders out of shock and bewilderment. They actually thought that they had done me much good. On the contrary, I never forgot Manuela. She was the star of my life. I closed the window screen and then went to bed. I tossed and turned in bed for roughly an hour before falling asleep. As expected, I had one bad dream followed by a worse one, until my alarm clock went off. Thank goodness, I was entering the realm of nightmares, left unchecked I probably would have sunk deeper, reaching the night-terror level.
I gave my parents the silent treatment for the following ten days. When I did finally speak to them, it was to inform them that I was taking an early evening walk. I exited our apartment and then walked down the hall to the elevators. As soon as I passed apartment number 112, I heard a faint cry. Curiosity stopped me dead cold. I cropped up my ears and then tried to comprehend exactly what I heard. However, just as I focused intently on this particular issue I heard the ring of the elevator bell. My attention on the apartment instantly disappeared, likely because my need to take a nice long walk was overwhelming.
However, as soon as I was about to enter the elevator I remembered that we lived on the ground floor. I was so uptight it adversely affected my concentration. I waited until the elevator doors closed before walking to the ground floor lounge. Therein, I saw a large clique of rich folks sitting on sofas and couches, talking about business and money. There were roughly twenty of them, men and women were equal in number. Most of them had glasses containing an alcoholic beverage in their hand. Scanning the area more intently, I spotted Mr. Garrison, the owner of the apartment complex sitting amongst the clique. More so, he was eyeing a birthday cake that a chef was carrying to a large dining table in the lounge.
As I was exiting the building, I heard the people in the lounge singing happy birthday to Mr. Garrison. I was not in the mood for any jolly activities. I had to clear my mind. The best way to do so was to take a nice long early evening walk, all by myself without any intrusions. Honestly, a big part of me was hoping that Manuela was nearby. Prior to her eviction from our apartment, it was normal for her to spend much of her time in the area.
I scanned the entire area from my vantage point. No luck; I proceeded to stroll through the apartment complex eyeing the open areas, the buildings, and especially the trees. There was no sight of Manuela, nor did I smell or sense her presence. Following a half an hour of searching it became apparent that she had almost certainly gone for good. Speaking to myself, I said, ‘she could be anywhere, she’s gone forever, and don’t you dare think otherwise’.
Shortly thereafter, I spotted a beautiful artificial mini-waterfall. There were benches encircling it. I decided to sit down and ponder for a while before leaving the area. The stress and anxiety I felt zapped a sizeable portion of my strength.
I sat down and then closed my eyes. I did not see anyone in the area it was safe to take a short nap. "PSST! PSST! PSST! Hey kitty, open your eyes I have something important to tell you. Come on don't be like those other rich, snobby kitties, I know you're better than them."
I opened my eyes then shifted my gaze in the direction of the person calling out to me. No stranger had ever spoken to me in that manner. I was interested in what this squirrel wanted from me. However, before my anger and frustration could reach the boiling point I noticed that this poor soul appeared tired, downtrodden, had sunken and dark-ringed eyes. This poor person needed some rest and nutrition.
The black squirrel was perching on a nearby tree. Judging from his body language and position, he wanted to descend and approach me. I obliged him. "Mr. Squirrel, don't be shy or scared. Descend from that beautiful tree and come sit beside me. I am all alone and have nothing to do. You look like you need a shoulder to lean on; that makes two of us."
The squirrel cautiously descended from the tree. I took it that he was not certain if I was a squirrel hating, a squirrel tolerating, or a squirrel-loving cat. Furthermore, he was black. In addition, the particular apartment complex consisting of a dozen high-class apartments and a recreation and exercise center were exclusive for people of wealthy stock, and that includes the animals too. It was at that moment I realized something quite unusual; I had not seen any homeless animals that night. Normally, my feline senses could spot at least some animals including squirrels, raccoons, rats and mice, pigeons, cats, and a lonely skunk now and then.
As soon as the squirrel sat beside me, he wasted no time introducing himself to me. "Hi kitty, my name is Blackie Squirrel. My birth name was Bobby Squirrel but everyone calls me Blackie because of my colour. You do not see too many of my kind around these parts.
Listen, I am going to get straight to the point. As you have no likely observed, I am beyond exhaustion. I need a nice place to sleep in. About a month ago, the tenants in this apartment complex started to complain about homeless animals begging, pooping and urinating, spying on, bothering, and intimidating the tenants. An elderly retired couple named Abbott initiated this completely stupid ordeal. They handed out petitions given to the Garrisons. In case you did not know it, they own everything in this entire area, lock stock and barrel.
Soon, everyone was complaining. If a homeless animal happened to be within visible range of an apartment, well, he or she was spying. What can I say? The Garrisons felt obligated to call animal control. Because of the power and influence of this notorious family, animal control was, without exaggeration, quite ruthless. Their prize was a cat named Manuela."
I interrupted Blackie. "What, what happened to Manuela?" I could not let him know that I had strong feelings for her so I made it seem like I was curious. "I'm just wondering."
"Well, to tell you the truth, she'd leave the complex and then return, doing this every single day. Word is she fell in love with someone. I do not know whom. However, one thing is for certain, the last I heard, she left for good. I do not blame her. If they'd captured her it would've resulted in a short stay at the local animal shelter, then a gassing."
Although I had strong feelings for Manuela, considering the danger factor, I wanted her to leave; it would have been better for her to find another cat to forget that she ever saw me, and to move on. I realized that it over between Manuela and me.
"Hey kitty, what's the matter? You look sad. Please forgive me. I have a nasty habit of conveying bad news to people." I nodded no. That put a smile on Blackie’s face.
"Okay, Blackie, please tell me what you want?" Blackie scanned the entire area very intently and then spoke his mind. "Listen, I'm planning to leave this area as soon as I can. Right now I am so terrified at the prospect of a tenant seeing me, I am about to poop on the bench. However, I cannot leave just yet without sleeping on a nice bed. I have been on edge, and rightfully so. Listen, animal control and other such enemies have been patrolling this area, arresting and rounding up homeless animals like me. I think I am the only one left. I cannot even sleep on the roof of a building. Please, help me.”
"Blackie, all-right. Listen up. Follow me home but keep your body low, be watchful of your surroundings, and do not raise your voice. I will bring you back home with me, but understand that my parents must not see or hear you. Okay?" Blackie nodded yes then he raised his foreleg to shake my paw. I obliged him. We were now officially friends. In this regard, it was imperative that I formally introduce myself to Blackie. "Blackie, my name is Jason Abbott." Oops, in my haste I forgot to use an alias. Now, Blackie almost certainly knew that I was the Abbott’s son.
"Don't worry, Jason, you're not responsible for the actions of your parents. They are holding all the cards. You live under their roof, they feed and water you, and all of your money is from them. You are too young to leave home. You are very frustrated, but cannot do anything about it. Thank goodness, somewhere along the line someone taught you much good. Your good behaviour at this very moment attests to that."
“Blackie, I'll enter my apartment building and then my apartment. Thereafter, I will carefully go to my room wherein I will open the window and window screen. That is when you can come in. I must warn you, my parents will be sound asleep. Please, be very careful and quiet. Are we in full agreement?" Blackie nodded yes.
We started to walk back to my apartment building making sure that no one was eyeing us. Thankfully, it was a very quiet night. Almost all of the apartment buildings' lights were out. "Blackie is everything all right thus far? Come on loosen up. Don't worry you're going to get a good night's sleep in my King Size bed."
"Yes, Jason, everything's all right. As for the gargantuan bed, I would have settled for your bedroom carpet. I am thankful for this. I think you are the best cat in the whole world, and nobody had better say otherwise. I know you're of European stock, but nevertheless, I consider you a real brother."
"Thanks Blackie, and I consider you a real brother too, and I'll never forget you. Blackie, do you want anything to eat or drink? We can go to my kitchen and munch out on whatever you want, and, we can wash it down with plenty of tasty liquids and water. Huh, well, does that sound good?"
"Thanks a million, but, honestly, I can't stay here any longer than tomorrow morning. I suspect that there are spies within the Garrison Apartments. By the way, exactly which building do you live in" I raised my right paw and then extended three claws, indicating building number three.
As soon as we were standing in front of my apartment window, I reconfirmed my previous instructions to Blackie. He nodded in agreement. I ran to the front door of our apartment building and then placed my paw on the scanner. Following the beep, I pulled the door open and then entered the building. A short while later I was standing on my windowsill opening the window. Afterwards, I opened the window screen and then waved Blackie in.
“Blackie, we must go to sleep immediately. In the past few days, my parents have entered my room at unpredictable times. I know very well that they suspect me of foul play. Anyway, I will set my alarm clock to 6:00 A.M. As soon as it rings I’ll turn it off, then you must exit my room without any delay.”
Blackie and I slipped underneath the bed covers and then closed our eyes, instantly falling asleep. Our sleep was so deep and refreshing we awakened at 5:45 A.M. We rubbed our eyes, grinned at each other, and then I turned off the alarm clock. Blackie and I decided to have some fun. First, we play wrestled, making certain that neither of us got hurt or lost his cool. Following this, we had a tickling match. Initially, we kept our laughter in check; however, as is oftentimes the case when you are having fun, we became too deafeningly boisterous. In effect, we forgot about my parents.
We played around for roughly twenty minutes. Suddenly, Blackie froze stiff, which caused me to stop tickling him. He stared blankly at the door. It did not take long for me to realize why. I saw four shadows emanating from underneath the other side of the door; each shadow represented one of my parent’s feet. A hand grasped the doorknob on the other end, turning it, and then the door slowly opened.
I froze out of fear. I thought it was all over. To my surprise, Blackie had slipped underneath the bed cover and then smothered his body against mine. My parents entered my room, turned on the lights and then approached my bed. My father pulled over a couple of chairs and then set them beside my bed. He waved my mother in. She was dressed in a blue nightgown carrying a hatchet in her right hand.
“Jason, where is your friend? I want to know.”
“Huh, mom, umm ... mom, there’s no one else here. I was playing with my pillow, honest.” I now understand the length that my parents would go to spy on and to control me. “Jason, don’t you lie to us! Your dad and I saw you and that little Nig ..., I mean, that little black squirrel in bed together. What will people say? You are both boys. We have a reputation to uphold within this uppity community.”
“Mom, you were going to say the ‘N’ word, and don’t you dare deny it!”
My father aggressively entered our conversation, jabbing his cane in the air and in the direction of where Blackie was hiding. “Jason, you tell that boy to leave our apartment immediately and to never come back.”
Blackie was holding on to me very tightly, so much so I thought my entrails were going to burst out. Nevertheless, I was not going to turn my newfound beloved friend in. Blackie deserved this one last episode of rest, fun, and joy. However, to my utter surprise, he suddenly let go of me. Barely a moment later Blackie slithered his way from underneath the bed cover.
He proceeded to stand on his hind legs, imitating the posture of a grizzly bear but without the ferocity. “Mr. and Mrs. Abbott, I wholeheartedly understand how you feel and where you’re coming from. You were raised in an upper class home looked down at minorities, listened to ‘funny