IN THE MORNING SUN

Pleasure from completing the first of this day’s tasks spreads through my old bones as I sit in the morning sunshine, enjoying the warmth on the bench outside Tesco. Now all I have to do is catch my bus home and cook for my grandson’s birthday. It’s funny how the small things give the most satisfaction now.

Not so many people are about this early on the weekend. Only a few scurry past, on their way to weekend jobs or other business, their tired eyes avoiding the acknowledgment of anyone else, heads bent as they hurry along. I wonder at them and make up small scenarios and stories for each as they walk by.

The man in a black coat walking towards me is on his way home from his fancy lady’s house, back to the nagging wife who drove him to the affair… There goes a woman in a grey dress who is about to become the reluctant substitute mother to her brother’s daughter. She can’t avoid the fact that her niece needs to be loved by someone… And there a black cat, without a tail; a strange sight in the shopping mall in town.

The cat stalks his way toward me, the stub of his tail pointing straight up in the air and twitching as though looking for the part it has lost. He pauses and delicately sniffs the air, then continues on. Rather than walk straight by he walks around me as if somehow aware I am superstitious and hoping he will not cross my path. When he reaches the back of the bench he stops and leaps up onto it, then slowly steps down to sit facing to me. After a few seconds pass a vibrating purr emanates from deep in his throat as he pushes his head into my hand which is resting on my lap.

It’s obvious he wants me to stroke him, but what if he has fleas or some other more insidious disease? A few more moments pass and I decide it’s too late for caution; I give in and stroke his head, gently scratching behind his ears. All cats seem to like this scratching behind the ears. He lifts his paw and gently rests it on my leg, making an advance towards sitting on my lap.

I enjoy the warm pressure and uncross my legs making it more inviting for him to curl up on me. He’s startled by the movement and backs away. I feel regret and hold myself as still as I can, breathing deep and slow, my hand back in my lap. He moves forward once more and pushes his head along my thigh, his purring starts up for a second time.

A familiar tremble passes through me, I can’t seem to control my own stillness at my age and every now and then I shake for no reason, shivering as though it is cold sat here in the sunshine. The cat doesn’t seem to mind though and he puts his paw back on my leg, gently clawing at the fabric of my skirt. I reach to pat him once more.

As though summoned by my movement, the bus arrives, loud and with the stink of diesel it lurches to a stop in front of me. Sadly it’s time to say good bye. I stand, pick up my shopping bags and make my way to the opening bus doors. Glancing behind me I see him leap down from the bench and watch me board the bus standing with one front paw raised.