Another couple of minutes and he'd be late for his shift and that bastard Tollofson would write him up again. Still, Richie had to take a quick look at the engine. That screeching sound out on the highway did NOT sound good.
He popped the hood and saw the cat. He practically fell jumping back, would have fallen if the damned thing hadn't been dead.
The guys at work told stories about such things, but he'd never had an animal crawl into his car. It must have been looking for a place to sleep, and a warm engine block fit the bill.
Stupid cat, he thought. Why'd you have to do something like that? I didn't mean to start the day by hurting anybody.
When the cat lifted its head and mewed, he jumped again. It was in pain. Pain? Damned thing should be dead! It was then that Richie saw the rippling convulsions along its side, the straining of its legs.
Oh for God's sake, cat, don't you have any sense at all? Give birth on top of my engine? The fear of the drive must have done it, started the labor.
Richie stood, watching the cat for a moment. Then he opened the trunk and got out a work blanket, walked back to the hood and tucked the damned cat in. He closed it tight to keep the engine block's heat in.
He looked at his watch, swore, and ran for the door.
--
Awww. Your MC acted so...so...maternal in making sure that the mother cat would be comfortable in such an uncomfortable situation.
ReplyDeleteTwo stories for Mother's Day? Go, you!
Getting the blanket to ready the trunk for her was powerfully cute. Nice brief one, Tony.
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple of awkward things in the third paragraph, "He practically fell in jumping back, would have fallen if the damned thing hadn't been dead." Firstly if he pops the hood, then we imagine he's facing it. If he jumps back, he can't fall into the thing in front of him. The other thing being the sentence I quoted sounds odd with the splicing comma, "would have fallen" feeling like an incomplete phrase. You can fix the latter problem by rewording, while the spatial issue would probably go away if you gave us a clear idea of his position and/or where the cat is.
To echo Marisa: awwwwwwwww.. I actually said it out loud. How adorable is this?
ReplyDeleteNot the Mother's Day story I expected at all and that's a good thing.
Nice work!
Ha. Softie are ya? Nice work Tony. :)
ReplyDeleteHooray! I was sad it was dead. Then I was sad it was going to be so hurt. Then... hooray. :) Excellent mother's day piece.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit of a softie, guys. I have to let it out every now and then.
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day!
Sweet story, Tony. I've heard of animals doing this, although have never witnessed or experienced it. I feel bad for your main character, as it appears there will be hell to pay with the boss-man. I gather that the cat was not injured at all, right? Very happy for the meow-meows : D.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I'm not sure what happened here -- smother mama cat, or keep her warm? I like not knowing, makes me read again for clues. I suspect the former, though, knowing you ;^)
ReplyDeletePeace...
I just love squeaky snow, perfect, only a northerner would get that. Is this the softer, kinder, squishy Tony??
ReplyDeleteSo do we get to find out how many kittens she has?
ReplyDeleteSo you and Miss Laura have BOTH ruined your reputations this week! ;)
ReplyDeleteSweet story Tony, and I appreciate the different outlook on motherhood. Thank you for this.
You totally had me worried and then you melted my heart. Delightful.
ReplyDeleteYou big old fluffy teddy bear. :-)
ReplyDeleteI second the Awww. I love the detail about the snow, too. I don't live in those regions, but I've visited MN at Christmas, so I get it. Brrr.
I enjoy seeing this side of you. Well done.
Heh, heh, this guy will totally be back in a few minutes. You can so tell! :) Is it sad that I totally want to know what happens next?! Great writing, this brightened my day. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL - yeah, did the same as everybody else... cringed, worried, then went, "Awwww!!" Loved it - hope Momma Cat and kittens find good homes...
ReplyDeleteThis was definitely an "Awwwwww" story, Tony! I love the ending. Just hope he doesn't get fired for his act of kindness. Great story!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Deanna that both you and Laura have some reputation rescuing to do, hehe.
ReplyDeleteVery tender story Tony. I enjoyed each one of its twists. :)
I guess we'll both have to write slasher stories next week...sigh.
ReplyDeleteVery touching. :) I do hope mom and kittens will get to ride home in the cab!
"Aww, so cute!"
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked it, guys. I've got a strong sentimental streak, in case that was never apparent.
Happy Mother's Day!
Very touching tale. I'm thrilled the cat wasn't hurt or dead. Good story!
ReplyDeleteLovely! I enjoy a cute story once in a while, and anything with a cat in it has got to be a winner. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteBut how is he going to get home? Enquiring minds want to know ;-) Nice story, Tony :-)
ReplyDeleteYou surprised me, too. Cats, kittens, mother's day--a different take altogether.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, guys. I wonder that everyone is surprised as the sweet story this week. I must not let that side of my personality show very much.
ReplyDelete