KARMA
Claire walked down the rain-soaked sidewalk. No sound but water splattering against the green leaves of summer. She strolled at a carefree pace taking in the damp smell, the light breeze against her face, and the gentle slap of the raindrops on her cheeks and forehead … remembering what had been … before losing the person she cared most about.
Suddenly a soft cry broke the rhythmic sound of the rain. She shoved back the hood of her sweatshirt and tilted her head to the side slightly, wondering if she had actually heard anything besides the rain or a bird maybe? There it was again but a little closer this time. Curious, she abandoned the hard surface of the concrete, stepped onto the soft, spongy grass and trudged toward a group of shrubs bursting with large purple flowers sprinkled with the crystal globes of water that would scurry along the petals and plummet to the ground. Again, the soft cry, then without warning a small head popped out of the dense shrubbery. Gray and fuzzy with big green eyes. The little body rubbed against her leg. She crouched down and tenderly stroked the tiny head as the kitten replied with a head-butt to her hand. Claire cautiously slid her hands under his slender body, gently lifted him up and tucked him inside her partially unzipped jacket. The contented vibration of his ‘motor’ purred against her chest and green eyes peered into hers with gratitude.
“Well, hello there little stranger. My goodness, even wet, you don’t weigh anything at all.” She cradled the warm humming body. “I think you’re coming home with me.”
Claire plodded through the soggy grass back to the sureness of the concrete sidewalk. Moments later she and her new ward entered the dry coziness of her compact apartment. It smelled of sandalwood incense and subtle notes of the natural gas used for heating and cooking.
“I think I’ll call you … Hazel. I don’t even know if you’re a boy or a girl. I think you’re a boy … but with those green eyes you’re definitely a Hazel.“
The kitten sniffed around, scoping out this unfamiliar environment. “That’s right. Take your time Hazel. I’ve only just gotten used to this place myself.”
Claire opened the fridge, retrieved a carton of milk and poured some of the creamy liquid into a small yellow ceramic bowl and set it on the decades-worn wood flooring. Hazel ambled clumsily to the dish and began lapping this unexpected treat.
Claire walked to the hall closet, pulled a green and blue plaid lap blanket from the shelf, then crumpled it up into a shallow oval wicker basket that sat on the floor beside her favorite chair. Hazel seemed to know precisely what this was for and wobbled over as Claire scooped him up and placed him upon the welcoming folds of the warm fabric.
A plastic shoe container would suffice for a litter box until she could get something better, but he was small enough to make it work. She headed for her paper shredder and gathered some of the white strips for makeshift litter. Satisfied, “I think that’ll work, for now.”
After dinner, Claire brewed a cup of chamomile tea and sank into her favorite chair to watch Hazel meander. She tore a piece from a magazine page, crumpled it up into a small ball and flicked it across the floor. Hazel delighted in batting it about and occasionally pouncing on it. Claire smiled, a rarity in recent weeks, and even laughed out loud. It felt good. She snuggled with him until her eyes grew heavy. “Okay little one, it’s bedtime,” and she placed him on the blanket. What a lovely end to the day.
The following morning brilliant sunshine streamed through the window blinds. Claire sat up slowly. With cheerful realization, she leapt out of bed and hastily made her way into the living room to check on Hazel, only to find him sleeping soundly, nestled amongst the folds of the blanket. She gazed at him softly.
The aroma of coffee and toasted bread must have stirred the little guy. She heard a low soft mew. “I know. I’ll get you some real food today.” She crouched down and tenderly ruffled the soft fur between Hazel’s ears. “I’m so happy to have you here.”
Claire pulled on some faded jeans, a gray tee shirt, well-worn sneakers and twisted her long brown hair up into a clip. She peered into the bathroom mirror and scrunched her face at the aging woman staring back at her.
Swiping her sunglasses from the kitchen counter, she pushed them onto her face, walked outside and strolled briskly up the sidewalk towards a small corner market in search of supplies for her new roommate.
A bright pink sign tacked to a telephone pole grabbed her attention. As she got closer the image on it caused her to stop dead. ‘Hazel’ stared back at her. The bold lettering read:
HAS ANYONE SEEN THIS KITTEN?
GRAY STRIPE WITH GREEN EYES
Please call 888-302-1156
Her heart fell. The sign was dated only a week ago! She was suddenly plunged from a joyful mission into a difficult predicament. Should she call the number? Give up this new companion she was already in love with? It would be the right thing to do. But she wasn’t sure she wanted to do the right thing. It’s why she was alone now and not just alone, but often … lonely … until Hazel.
Her mood decidedly fallen she walked into the market, hastily found the pet section and selected a small blue and white bag marked kitten chow. No litter though. That would have to wait. She paid in cash, thanked the cashier and hurried out into the warm sunshine, but her mood was not sunny. She thought of herself as a good person. An honest person and nothing if not conscientious. But, darn, she just wanted to pretend she had never seen that bright pink sign.
Claire poured some kibble into the yellow bowl. She watched with solemn adoration as Hazel proceeded to munch on the crunchy brown bits. “What’ll I do little guy?” Claire sighed. Hazel munched away oblivious to the dilemma now in play.
The following day, Claire went out in search of litter but chose a different route this time. She couldn’t bear to see the sign again. The pink reminder. Not yet.
That night, intrusive thoughts made sleep fleeting. She had given up other things – other people—because it was the right thing. It hurt like hell but at least she could live with herself. Didn’t she deserve a break now? But Claire knew what it was to lose something, or someone, you cared about. She didn’t have the right to deprive Hazel’s rightful owner, did she?
So, there it was.
She knew what she needed to do. Once the resolution was made, peace came a little easier. Eventually she nodded off.
The next morning’s walk was an arduous one. Every step laden with effort taking her to a destination she didn’t want to reach. Maybe by now the wind has ripped it from the pole and carried it away.
But no.
It was still there. Bright pink. It screamed in her face as she stood facing it, phone in hand. Claire slowly tapped out the numbers with a shaky finger and waited nervously. Her heartbeat pounded heavily in her ears along with the ringing of the phone like some weird symphony. Maybe it will be the wrong number, or no one will answer and then I can say oh well I tried. But someone did answer. It was a very young sounding voice. A child perhaps?
“Hi. I’m calling about a lost kitten,” Claire said struggling to keep control of her emotions. “I saw your poster.” She listened for the response, the one she had been dreading. But between the rushing sound in her ears and being so focused on the expectant cries of joy from the other end, she barely heard what they had actually said. “I’m sorry. Can you repeat that?”
The hard lines of stress on Claire’s face suddenly softened. “You … you found your lost kitten?” She closed her eyes, pulled in a deep breath then let it out slowly as the corners of her mouth pulled upwards. “Oh, I’m so happy for you! … Your welcome, I’m glad I called … Have a good day!”
Claire stood still for a moment relishing an enormous wave of calm until elation welled up and took over. She felt renewed vigor. Her heart burst with happy relief.
“Karma,” she said to herself. “I knew it was the right thing to do,” and with a broad smile, hastily made her way to the friend waiting for her at home.