Chapter 4
THE FAMILIAR
KAT
“Well, well, well, aren’t you handsome?” I mutter under my breath. I peer into his big deep green eyes as he makes steady, unblinking eye contact with me. “Wonder what your story is…” I begin, about to lean down and read the little info tag on the outside of his cage.
“We’re not totally sure,” says the animal shelter lady from behind me. I turn around and give her a tentative grin. Her name tag says Carol.
“We know that he is about three years old and that his original owner passed away and left this little guy here to fend for himself. The owners’ adult kids were, we guess, maybe a little superstitious?
They didn’t like his look or his energy or something.
So, they dropped him off here,” she explains.
I nod, turning to admire his beautiful obsidian fur, and give him a small smile. The feline continues to look right back at me, his purr growing to an audible, soothing rumble.
I had come in here for a guard dog. Maybe a sleek Doberman or bulky, intimidating pit bull of some kind. But here I was, entranced by this little black cat’s bright green stare.
“What’s his name?” I ask, still gazing into those eyes.
“Oh! His name… his name is Bundy. Kind of weird, I know. You can totally change it!” she stammers.
“Bundy?” I ask in an incredulous tone.
As in Ted? Oh my god. He’s perfect. The perfect animal. And a guard cat is just as good as a guard dog after all… right?
“I’ll take him,” I say, not waiting for Carol’s confirmation.
She blinks, surprised, but a smile spreads across her face, conveying relief, if not a little taken aback.
“Alright,” she says with a nod. “I’ll get his transport crate and the adoption paperwork ready for you!”
An hour later, I’m on the sofa at Pearson House, my new guy curled up beside me, already claiming his spot like he’s always belonged here.
I had, admittedly, spent a ridiculous amount of money at the pet supply store—buying everything from the highest-rated cat food to a plush bed that he instantly ignored in favor of my lap.
But we were home. Geared up and ready for our first night together.
It was strange how quickly everything shifted. Just that morning, I had been researching guard dogs on my phone, in a state of near panic.
And here I was now, with my first ever pet, a cat, no less.
There was something in his eyes—something both knowing and hopeful all at once—that reached straight into the heart of me.
And when I picked him up, felt the warmth and comfort of his purr, it was like a puzzle piece I didn’t know I was missing had just clicked into place.
Now, with the rain tapping gently against the windows and Bundy’s quiet purrs filling my ears, the house feels less empty.
Less quiet. As if he’s already started filling in the spaces of my heart that I hadn’t realized were so hollow.
His purrs soothe the ragged edges of the grief that’s been threatening to overtake me for weeks now.
“Welcome home, Bundy,” I whisper to him. “It’s you and me now. You’re my new guard cat. My familiar.”
Bundy nudges my hand with his velvety head in reply.
“Ok. Smile pretty, bud. Cause Bea is definitely going to want to meet you,” I coo to him.
I snap a few pics of him curled up on my lap and text them over to Bea. With one hand, I gently scratch behind his ears. Bundy’s purr deepens.
Me
Surprise! Got myself a new man.
Bea
OMG… my Kitty Kat got herself a kitty cat?! No way!! What’s his name?
Me
You’ll literally never guess.
Bea
Shadow? Binx?
No, wait, Mr. Pussy??
Me
LOL. It's Bundy.
Bea
Me
I know.
Bea
He is perfect! Hope to meet him IRL soon.
Me
You will! Want to come by this weekend? The painters are finally done and you can see the new and improved Pearson House.
Bea
YES! I am off this Saturday, thank God. Would like sometime mid-afternoon work for you?
Me
Yep. How’s 2pm?
Bea
Yes!
Me
Kk. Bring wine. See you then.
Bea
Oh you got it. See you then XO.