In a house filled with soft light and interesting corners, lived two inseparable siblings. They were a matching set of cream and coffee one with a face dipped in dark chocolate, the other dusted with soft cocoa. To the untrained observer, they were just kittens. To each other, they were partners in the grand adventure of life.
Their journey began with The Gear. The family insisted on training, strapping them into harnesses to prepare for the great unknown. The brother, wearing a sleek black harness, stood on the hardwood floor with serious determination. He was the scout, the brave protector. His sister, sporting a purple collar and harness, preferred the high ground of the blue sofa. She would look toward the ceiling, calculating just how high a cat could climb if gravity stopped paying attention.
As they grew, they assumed their posts as the Guardians of the Window. Their favorite watchtower was an old wooden barrel. In the autumn, when the trees outside turned a brilliant yellow, they stood back to back, watching falling leaves and chattering at squirrels that dared to scamper too close.
But the barrel wasn’t just for work, it was for luxury. In the spring, when the tall ones filled it with purple and white flowers, the duo decided it was actually a custom made bed. They would curl up directly on top of the blooms, convinced that they were the prettiest flowers in the arrangement. The sister even expanded her territory to a large blue glazed pot, popping her head out like a sprouting seedling, demanding sunshine and treats.
Living with people required patience. There was the incident of the Lamb Costume, where the brother found himself dressed in fluffy white wool, held by his dad. He wore the hood with stoic dignity, his blue eyes saying, I am doing this for the extra wet food later. They much preferred Movie Night. In a moment of perfect synchronization, the two sat side by side on the bed, ears perked, watching a giant screen of crashing ocean waves. They didn’t move a muscle, mesmerized by the blue water, perhaps dreaming of a beach where the sand was made of catnip.
After days filled with flower crushing, squirrel watching, and costume wearing, the crash was inevitable. They didn’t just sleep, they collapsed.
There were naps where they sprawled on their backs, pink paw pads in the air, completely surrendered to the dream world. There were solo naps, hugging their own tails on warm laps. But the best sleep was always found together. On the orange chair, they would wind themselves into a tight circle a Yin and Yang of fur and purrs heads resting on each other, proving that no matter how big the adventure, the best part was always coming home to your best friend.
Shannon Willis can usually be found in the company of furry friends. A passionate animal enthusiast, her work is often inspired by her deep love for cats, dogs, and the animal kingdom as a whole.
