A Black Cat Being Very Nice and Purring Ron AI 

That was 10 years ago. The party was to celebrate a decade of success and growth of the firm on the anniversary of its founding. The day the three of us came together at Richard's father's law office and signed the paperwork making us a viable consulting partnership.

For some reason, I thought back on all of that and all of the times I was ridiculed for being a drunk like the mythical Harvey Wallbanger, even though I was a moderate drinker compared to Richard and some other members of the firm. And I was still single.

Being single has its advantages. I bought a small, secluded house that didn't require much upkeep and invested my spare cash in the stock market. At the time of the party, I had saved enough so that I could have acquired a larger share of the company I helped found and loved.

Richard, on the other hand, lived a lavish lifestyle, largely with Claudia’s inherited money, not their salaries. He always drove the latest cars, wore expensive clothes, and bought a huge house in the best part of town. His home was the best place to hold the party of about 50 people from the firm, their spouses, and business associates.

I left for the office very early that Monday morning, wanting to get a good start on the week. But, as I left the driveway, I heard a squealing sound coming from my right front wheel. I stopped, got out of the car, and took a look. The wheel was a bit askance. I wiggled it–it moved. Damned black cat, I thought. I called a cab and a wrecker to take my car to the shop.

As a result of that wheel bearing, I arrived at the office later than I wanted to. My staff was waiting and wondering where I was. Trying to settle down, I had no time to outline what I was going to tell my three fellow coders. They each gave me a progress report, and I worked with them on problems we were having with the technology: either from the users or from surveys we ran online to find out what was bugging the customers about our work. As it turned out, almost everything. Was it that damned cat?

We all took the work very seriously; that's why we were successful. We all liked working with Claudia because she was not a geek and knew how to twist the customers' minds our way when we ran into difficulties. She sure knew how to get us new work, too. For that, we were very grateful. Not a single person on my team cared for Richard, finding him obnoxious, not interested in our work, and sometimes, arrogant and demanding about things he knew nothing of.

I had just finished our staff meeting and was leaving the meeting room in the hall when I saw Richard waving at me to enter his office from the doorway. I joined him as he sat behind his desk and signaled me to close the door. He spoke first.

“I saw what you did.”

“I did what?”

“At the party… How dare you hit on my wife like that!

“I didn't hit on your wife.”

“Like hell you didn’t… I got it right here on my phone… Do you want to see what you did and what you said? I know you've been jealous and flirting with her ever since I married her, but this is the last straw! You're fired!”

I thought for a minute. What he said was shocking… “You can't fire me, I'm your partner… So is Claudia. What does she have to say about this?”

       “You leave Claudia out of this. I'll check with my dad about the legalities, but if I have to, I will buy you out. Take your personal items from your desk. I have asked building security to watch you as you do. They will escort you out. Do not take any company property, software or correspondence. Don't touch your computers. I don't want you deleting or taking any company information. Get out… And, don't come back!”

Again, shocked by what he said, I thought for a moment, and told him, “You won't be able to run this place without me. Mark my words.”

“Yes, I will. I've already decided to promote that cute little systems analyst you hired last year, Elizabeth… ah… Betty, to be lead of your group.”

I left his office and went directly to mine. A security guard was already there with a big box. I went through my desk and picked out all the mementos, plaques, pictures and souvenirs that I had. In less than five minutes I waved to everybody and left the office with the security guard following close behind, all the way to the cab I called. I slipped the box alongside me on the seat and thanked the guard for his help. I rode out of there with a lot on my mind and ordered the driver to take me to the shop where my car was.

The shop installed a new wheel, tire, spindle and wheel bearing. It took two hours and cost me a bundle. But I had my car back. Damned black cat again?

On my way home, my thoughts were in such a whirlwind I wasn't even noticing where I was driving, I found myself driving past where the black cat had crossed my path and looked over to see the deep muddy grooves still in that lawn. I should stop by and offer to pay for fixing it, I thought. But then, I was already past the place, with other, heavier, thoughts on my mind again. 

I came to a familiar stretch with a high bank on the right. Suddenly, from up above, a young buck came down that slope fast and hit the pavement. His legs splayed out because his hooves couldn't get a grip on the blacktop. Startled, I hit him square in the middle. I watched him as if in slow motion as he flew up in the air and landed in a pile in the front of my car as I skidded to a stop against the wall on the right with my brakes still not fixed. I thought, Why didn't I get them fixed this morning? Must've been that black cat again.

I put the flashers on and got out to see if he was alive. He was lying there, gasping for air with blood coming out of his mouth and nose and his legs twitching—two of them in positions that indicated they were badly broken. I wanted to put him out of his misery but could only think to call 911. As I waited, two cars came by and passed slowly. Each driver ran down their windows and shook their heads before moving on. A patrol car pulled up and put on his lights to warn others of the incident.

The officer got out of his car and brought two orange markers to put by the deer to warn traffic. As he approached me, Officer Thomas Daly, as his badge read, called out, “Don't worry, Bud. It's the rut. He was love crazy and that's why you hit him. I will need to take down your information so that Animal Control can bill you for removing him.”

He walked over to the struggling animal, pulled out his police issued pistol and shot the poor buck in the head, putting him out of his misery. He muttered, “No way a vet could have put him back together. He was pretty broken up.”

“What will they do with him?” I asked.

“The county has a deal with the jail and Animal Control will take him there. The inmates will have venison for dinner soon. As soon as I get your information: your driver's license and registration, you can be on your way if your car isn't damaged too much. I should have this scene cleared within a half-hour.”

I thanked Officer Daly for his information and efficiency.

“Just another day's work.” He smiled and I smiled back. I had to fake it, I felt so bad.

I returned home. It was a particularly warm October day. Inside the house was unusually warm as well. The air-conditioning had failed. I couldn't get it working, so I called an air conditioning company that I knew and scheduled a repair. I asked them also to give the furnace a safety check for the upcoming winter season. A bit worried after I said it with what they might find.

I called my plumber and made an appointment for him to come over and fix the toilet leak. I called around and found a place that would fix my lawnmower if I delivered it to them.

 And then, I called the dealership and asked for them to give me a loaner while I had my car fixed and the body damage repaired. It was drivable but the radiator was leaking coolant all over my garage floor until I got a pan under it. When will this bad luck stop?

The next few days were a blur where I drank too much, thought too much, and pretty much didn't get anything done, worried about what next might go wrong. And they did. Several small things that required me to call and have repairmen take care of or take them to get repaired, like the heel coming off my left dress shoe. Found problems like this I couldn't fix very annoying and time consuming—expensive. Damned black cat!  

 Spent the rest of the time taking walks in the nearby woods worried that I might step on a bear trap. Instead, I stepped on a hornet's nest and got stung several times. They left huge welts that burned and itched. 

I got my car back the following Friday morning without using the loaner except to go get the lawn mower to the shop, groceries and get the toaster, my dress shoe and my computer fixed.

I got a call that same Friday morning to go to Richard's father's law office to sign papers and get my payoff. It was a very large check, but it didn't make me feel any better as I signed off my life's work. Once again, my mind wasn't focusing very well.

But I woke up from my thoughts as I approached that spot where I ran up in the yard and saw that the lawn had been repaired with new sod in place. And then, to my surprise, the same black cat was lying on the porch of the house!

I pulled up to the curb, got out of the car and started up the walkway when the cat jumped up from the porch, ran down to me, looked up at me with those pleading yellow eyes, and began rubbing up against my legs, purring loudly.

I saw the door open from the front of the house and a man step out.

I called out, “Hello! I'm Harvey Wall. I just stopped by to see about getting your lawn fixed. I have to apologize. I was the one that ran up on it a week ago. But I see it's already fixed. Can I pay you for what it cost to fix it and a bit more for your trouble?” Guilt was crawling up and down my back.

“That's okay, Mr. Wall. Insurance covered it.” He looked at me curiously. “I was mad as hell until I found out they would. Never thought that anybody would come by like you just did. Most people are not that courteous when it comes to things like this. Thought it was some ruffians racing at that time of the night. Not a neighbor like you. By the way, my name is Rudy Tompkins.” He held out his hand and shook mine vigorously.

“I was returning home from a company party when I swerved to avoid hitting a black cat that crossed in front of me last Saturday night. The one that was just rubbing my legs and was resting on your front porch before.”

“Black cat? I didn't see any black cat. There are few cats around the neighborhood, but none of them black as far as I know.” He scratched his head.

I thought, how strange, and answered, “Well, it was a damned black cat, and I'd like to at least give you some money for your trouble.”

“Once again, Mr. Wall, all I ask for is your honestly and your friendship, neighbor.”

“I live only a few minutes from here. We'll have to get together sometime.” I thanked him again and gave him my business card with the business phone number scratched off and my home phone number written on the back. We shook hands and I returned to my car and drove off.

It was a beautiful and colorful warm October afternoon as I drove through that deadly stretch again. I drove carefully with my foot poised to hit the brakes. All I saw was a couple of squirrels searching for nuts and some birds on the shoulder that flew up when I passed by. 

When I got home and on my computer there, I checked on the bill for my AC repair. I was told that it was under warranty and the safety checkup of my furnace was also free for five years. My car repairs were covered by insurance. Things were suddenly looking much better for some reason. The phone rang and I answered a familiar number.

“Hello, Harvey? This is Claudia. I got up enough courage and threw him out of the house. I'm lonely. How soon can you get over here for a quiet evening together? And I won't take no for an answer.”

I was shocked! “Claudia! Are you for real?”

“As real as my love for you. One that's been kept captive all these years married to that tyrant who is finally out of my hair. You should've seen him when I served him my divorce papers and told him I was buying him out like he had done to you. That sniveling bastard tried to bring up that video, but I told him to get out and sue both of us if he could. Haven't heard from him since and I don't expect to. But why am I telling you this now? Get on over here!”

“At your service, Claudia. I can't wait.”

I took off my business clothes, and enjoyed. a quick shower and dressed in something casual. Once again, many thoughts raced through my head. But they were all good thoughts this time. I couldn't believe my good fortune. All the ups and downs that I'd had were scary, but freeing at the same time.

Once again, I drove that familiar road past the steep embankment. I arrived at her familiar house, parked in the driveway and skipped up the steps to the front door. Claudia met me in a black negligee and pulled me inside to kiss me. We spent a couple of hours in her bedroom. There was no sign or smell of Richard remaining.

Afterwards, we prepared dinner together by candlelight with romantic music in the background. Both eager, as we eyed each other eating, to go back to her bedroom for the night.

Monday morning, we arrived at the firm together. The staff had been informed the Friday before of her action. They cheered and clapped when we came through the door. It seemed like they knew all along what was happening when I didn't. I had no clue except that my life was going very badly because of that damned black cat. I never could imagine what it was now beginning to look like. Maybe it wasn't that cat at all. Maybe it was me all along.

I'm writing this two years later, with a cute little baby boy gurgling happily nearby, as handsome as Claudia is beautiful. A little black kitten playing near him. And, another one, a girl, is on the way. We know now that Claudia wasn't infertile. Turned out, it was Richard.

Copyright 2024 © Ronald W. Hull

2/14/24