Catboy - Eric Walters [33]
“It applies to animals as well,” said Dr. Reynolds. “Cats do have feelings and emotions, but they’re cat feelings and emotions. For example, the concept of jealousy is a human emotion.”
“I think cats feel jealousy,” I argued. “I think King is jealous of Hunter sometimes.”
“I think the two are in competition, but jealousy is a human emotion.” Dr. Reynolds paused. “With animals, especially ones we spend time with regularly, we often ascribe human characteristics to them. But cats don’t think or feel the same way we do. So their actions and reasons for doing things aren’t the same as ours.”
“But some of the other cats must have missed him,” I said.
“They knew he wasn’t there, and they were probably aware they weren’t eating as much, but their whole sense of time and interaction is cat-like, not human-like.”
“But they’re a family.”
“You’re right there,” he agreed. “I’m sure he is the father of some of those kittens. But again, they don’t have a sense of family the way we do.”
I wasn’t going to argue, but I was sure he was wrong. Maybe he was a vet, but even vets didn’t know everything. I knew Hunter was missed by some of the other cats, the same way I’d miss my mom if she was gone, or the way I miss my old friends and my grandparents. I was looking forward to seeing them at Christmas.
Hunter let out another cry. It wasn’t angry or desperate or scared, or even a warning. It was simply a cry to let the cats know he was back. He was home.
I almost told Dr. Reynolds this, but he wouldn’t have believed me.
“We’re coming up to the clearing,” Dr. Reynolds said. “It’s better if we let Taylor go on alone. The fewer people the better.”
That at least made sense. Besides, I wanted to have a few seconds alone with Hunter. I had human emotions and feelings, and I was going to miss him.
As soon as I was far enough away that I knew my mother and Dr. Reynolds couldn’t hear me, I started to talk to Hunter. “Here we go,” I said softly. “You’re almost home. I promised you I’d bring you back.”
He didn’t look up at the sound of my voice. He just stared straight ahead.
“It’s like I told you. We only did this to get your leg healed and then I’d bring you back, back to your family.”
I entered the clearing and a few cats were already there. A couple of them roused from sleep and another cat got to its feet. It had only been a few days, but they acted like they didn’t even remember me.
“They know you’re here,” I said to Hunter.
I was glad to see the cats, but I wished there were more of them or at least a few of my favorites around. I would have loved to see Miss Mittens. But King not being here was a plus. I didn’t like him. He was a mean, selfish…Maybe Dr. Reynolds was right and I was giving them human qualities.
A few other cats poked their heads out of the wrecks, but they were all cautious of my presence.
I put the cage down carefully. All I had to do was open the cage and let Hunter go.
“Well, Hunter,” I said. “This is it. I’m going to miss you.”
He stared through the bars, ignoring me.
I wanted to say something more, but what was I going to say, and what would he understand even if I said it? He was in the cage and needed to get out. To set him free, I had to open the door, not come up with something “touching” to say. Besides, it wasn’t like I wasn’t going to see him again.
I fumbled with the latch. My hands were clumsy inside the thick gloves. I pulled off one of the gloves. I flicked the latch and swung the door open, clicking it in place so it wouldn’t close on him.
Hunter stayed crouched on his haunches. He didn’t move. I’d expected him to bolt as soon as I opened it. But he didn’t. The only part of him that moved was the tip of his tail. It twitched back and forth, as if it was a separate being. Slowly he inched forward.
“It’s okay to go,” I said. “You’re free.”
He finally looked up through the bars at me. His eyes were bright, but they weren’t angry. He moved a few more inches and stopped. He pressed his head against the side of the opening