Kitabı oxu: «Love Catharsis», səhifə 3

After Jonathan and Angela Scott finished sharing their TV wisdom about the world’s most amazing animal, lions, Simon pushed the wrong button, and a South Park episode came to the screen. Kyle and company were going to toilet paper the teacher’s house. Simon giggled inside.

He turned the TV off and jumped on the dinner table. He scooped out two apples and one banana from the wooden fruit bowl without any problem. He nestled inside the bowl, taking its oblong shape.

Simon needed to catch up on his twenty hours of daily sleep. He thought about his life. How much would it change if Vergenuis became more than just a boyfriend? How could Simon prevent the stranger’s intrusion into their happy life? The idea of toilet papering didn’t seem so bad. If he was careful, he could probably get some toilet paper when Cassy cleaned the house on Saturday. Kyle had some regrets at the end of the episode, but Simon wouldn’t. His happiness with Mary was at stake.

Mary came home at 10:45 p.m. Ridiculous what some women would do for free food. Didn’t she remember she had a yoga class at 6:00 the next morning?

Simon curled up in his pet bed and pretended to sleep. He felt her gentle hand petting him between the ears and had to hold back his purr. He hadn’t forgiven her yet. She needed to know what she’d done to their trust, friendship, and reading routine.

"Simon, don’t be upset. You know I will never leave you. You are my kindred spirit, best friend, soulmate, and my family. But humans need other humans’ company. So, I hope one day to introduce you to Vergenuis, and you will see what an intelligent and kind man he is."

There was a pause, and he was sure Mary was going to say something else. But she only sighed and whispered, "Sweet dreams, my knight."

They didn’t need anyone else. Their perfect little world was enough. She had enough human communication and friends at work. Why did she want the company of some French-phrase-dropping dork when she had Simon—her knight and everything? They had a perfect life together, didn’t they? What else did she possibly need?

Mary made two mistakes. First, she bribed him with a squeaky chicken toy, like a piece of rubber could justify what she had done, though Simon liked the chicken’s funny noises.

Second, she didn’t tell him about her plans or Vergenuis anymore.

Simon was on high alert, even though things returned to normal.

The day went on: Cassy cleaned the house, and Simon watched a Discovery Channel episode on sea turtles.

Mary repented and came home at 6:02 p.m. She was friendly and chatted while eating her Asian salad, giving Simon Meow Mix kibbles without begging or reminders. He also got a bowl of chicken with gravy and no vegetables. Score! He could live without chopped spinach or cubed cucumbers.

A cup of herbal tea, soft light from the table lamp, a warm blanket, and reading together on the couch—the perfect Friday evening.

It was Simon’s turn to pick the book. He chose the third volume of The Cat Who… from Lilian Jackson Brown’s series of thirty mystery novels. Mary owned them all. Simon loved listening to the adventures of the series’ three main characters: a reporter named Jim Qwilleran and two of his Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum. He hoped that novel would carry his point across—he needed a companion. Mary was all he had, and he didn’t plan to lose her to someone else. He wished she would understand his longing for a soulmate, see his need for more attention, and be there for him.

“Bedtime, sweety. Let me get ready first, and then I will brush you.”

Mary yawned and walked to the bathroom. Simon knew her evening routine would take time—all that girly stuff: exfoliating, applying serum, tonic, moisturizer, and eye cream. He was glad he didn’t need any of that. Nature blessed him with good genes and astonishing good looks.