Caught in the Middle

By Mewsette

The day Angel came to live in our small house was the day that changed our lives. The house had been perfectly run for many years by the resident matriarch cat, Hyacynth. Hyacynth was an old tabby who took great pride in her ownership of the house, and had grown quite plump from her good food and easy life. When she first laid eyes on the little blue-eyed white cat named Angel, Hyacynth hissed and snarled. "I will not stand for this!" she growled. "Another female cat! I am the queen of this house, and we don't need any more cats. Especially not another female! Pfffft!"

"Mew," whispered Angel, "you are the most unfriendly cat I ever saw! Why don't you like me?"

"Hsss," replied Hyacynth. "Because this is my territory and you don't belong here. Go away before I swat you!"

"Yewp", said Angel, "then I don't like you, either. And I won't go away. So there!"

Then Angel went to sit in a corner, and from that day on she was wary of Hyacynth. And from that day on, Hyacynth held a grudge. I know, because I was there.

My name is Misty. I had lived with Hyacynth all my life, and I really liked her. But in the days that followed, I came to like Angel too. She was polite and did not intrude where she wasn't wanted. But she was quite friendly with me, and lots of fun to play with. So one day I asked Hyacynth if she wouldn't reconsider and at least be kind to Angel, because I liked both of them. "The subject of Angel is closed," she said. "I will never like her. You do as you wish."

One day I killed a mouse that got in our porch. I didn't eat him, but he must have been a sickly mouse because I got very sick. For days I lay miserably under a chair, and Angel would try to comfort me. But then she looked up to see Hyacynth glaring at her.

"I am the comforter here," Hyacynth warned. "Go away." And Hyacynth took over my care.

After I was better I said to her, "Hyacynth, you are a wonderful comforter, and I thank you. Don't you think you and Angel could have shared that duty? It would have been easier for both of you, and very nice for me."

"No," Hyacynth replied shortly.

"Never", added Angel, who had overheard.

Then the Big Move happened. That was a terrifying time for all of us. We found ourselves stuffed into carriers and driven in the car for a long way. Then we all had to stay in one room while our furniture got carried in. I was so frightened and went to Hyacynth to lie close to her. "Come," I whispered to Angel, but Angel would not. When we were released into the big new house to check it out, they just glared at each other.

"How wonderful," I purred to the others. "I will like sharing such a nice big house with both of you! With so much room, surely we can all like each other and get along!"

"I agree," mewed Angel. "I would like that. What do you think, Hyacynth?"

"I think not," replied Hyacynth. "I'm glad to have more space so I can get away by myself. Don't bother me."

That was three years ago. Hyacynth is quite old now, very thin, and not in good health. I am no spring kitten myself. Some things that one wishes would change over the years simply do not. Angel has learned to comfort, and she would be a great comfort to Hyacynth now if Hyacynth would permit it. But she will not. Hyacynth does love deeply when she loves, and she could spare a little for Angel if she would. But Angel would not trust it. Yet they are both fine cats.

When I tell a story, I like for it to have a happy ending. But that would not be honest, because this is a true story. I, Misty, have told it.