Alone
For most of his cat life, Max had no friends. He preferred it that way. When he was very small, he learned that black cats brought bad luck. He came to understand that “unlucky” translated to “unwanted”. He became comfortable alone. It was simpler.
As they grew, his sisters and brothers pounced and rolled. Their fur coats sported stripes, spots and colors. They played and fluttered like happy butterflies. When families began to visit, looking to adopt, adults and children laughed and reached out to touch. But when Max tumbled into view the happy conversation slowed.
“Too bad really but a lot of folks think black cats are bad luck,” someone would say.
Or perhaps, “Now that’s a real Halloween cat you got there. Looks like something a witch might take home.”
And once, worse still, “That one is creepy.”
As the weeks passed, it was always the same when people looked at Max.
“We are looking for a more colorful pet.”
“No, not that one. Let me see your other kittens.”
And so it went, until slowly all of Max’s brothers and sisters joined new families. Left behind, he consoled himself with the thought that at least he would remain in the house where he was born. But that was not to be.
