The day did not begin with the sun coming through the blinds, it began when the Orange Cat decided it began.
At first, there was decorum. He sat on the edge of the ottoman, chest puffed out in golden dignity. He was a statue of expectation, his eyes wide and dilated, silently judging the room. The console was humming with the blue light of a loading screen, and the morning was turning. This was the Professional Phase of the day where he pretended to be a fierce, alert predator guarding the household.
But the gray duvet was calling.
The duvet was a landscape of soft, slate colored mountains, and the Orange Cat was tired of being professional. He hopped onto the bed, abandoning his post.
Pay attention to me, he decided, reaching out to wrap his paws around a warm forearm. He held on tight, staring deeply into familiar eyes. It was a hostage negotiation, and the ransom was chin scratches. He squeezed gently, claws sheathed, anchoring his companion to the mattress. Forget the game, his grip said. The controller is cold. I am warm.
Once the tribute of affection was paid, the structure of the day dissolved completely.
The Orange Cat initiated the Solar Panel Protocol. He rolled onto his back, legs splayed in every direction. He became liquid. He stretched one paw toward the ceiling as if asking a question to the universe, then forgot the question halfway through and just let the limb hang there. His belly, a vast expanse of fluff, was fully exposed to the room. The blue light of the TV reflected off the walls, but he didn’t care. He was safe. He was loved. He was arguably the most comfortable creature on the planet.
As the afternoon wore on, the sprawling energy faded. The final stage was the curl. He tucked his nose into his tail, shutting out the light, the game sounds, and the room. He was no longer the dignified statue on the ottoman or the demanding arm hugger. He was just a quiet, breathing circle of orange on a sea of gray, dreaming of catching things he would never actually bother to run after.
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.
