Monster stories

Monster --

Will trudged up the sidewalk, tired and grungy from four
days undercover at the Los
Angeles Port.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He was looking forward to a shower and a long
night’s sleep, but mostly he was looking forward to seeing Don.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  It was amazing how much difference it made to
have someone to come home to.  class=GramE>And not just someone -- his wonderful, aggravating, incredible Don.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  His steps sped up.

Don’s car was in the driveway, so he knew Don was home.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Will fumbled with the door key and opened the
door … then froze.

Sitting in the doorway, looking at him with interest, was
the biggest cat that Will had ever seen.  
It was a brown tabby, with a white stomach, golden eyes, and tufted ears
and feet.  Will blinked at the cat and
the cat blinked at Will.

Will heard Don laugh and looked up.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Don was standing there in the door to the
bedroom, a big grin on his face.

“Will, meet Monster,” Don said. “Monster, meet Will, your
other housemate.”

“You got a cat?”  Will
asked in astonishment. 

Don shrugged.  “It was
your idea.”

“I just didn’t think you’d move so fast.” Will class=GramE>stared at the cat. 

“I didn’t plan to,” Don said.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  “But I met Monster at the animal shelter and
he made it very clear that he was coming home to live with us.”

Will stepped inside, noting that the cat hadn’t made any
move to leave through the open door. 
Monster immediately began to brush around his legs, purring.

“He likes you,” Don said with relief.

“Of course he does,” Will said,
reaching down to scratch Monster’s head. 
“He knows he was my idea.”

Don snorted, and Will sat on the floor and introduced
himself to Monster.

“He’s huge,” Will said, petting Monster’s thick fur while
Monster rubbed his head against Will’s leg.

“Maine
Coon.  17
pounds.”

“No wonder they called him Monster.”

“Actually, they called him Fluffball. style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I named him Monster.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He seems to appreciate the improvement in
status.”

“As well as the new home,” Will said.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  “Neutered?”

“Yep.”

“Litter box?”

“In the laundry room.”

“Food?”

“Same.”

“Does he go outside?”

“I debated keeping him just inside but Monster made it very
clear that he was an indoor/outdoor cat. 
I even put a cat door in the back door, hope that was okay.”

“Sure,” Will said.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  “Sounds like he already has
you wrapped around his paw.”

“I’m a soft touch,” Don shrugged.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  “And it gave me something to do in the
evenings.  I also wanted to make sure
that he’d still be entertained when we’re both gone.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Don sat down on the chair next to Will and
said, “He’s funny and we just hang out. 
He isn’t always demanding I pet him or feed him,
he just likes to be around.   He fetches,
can you believe that?”

Will laughed. 
“Fetches?”

“Sure, I’ll show you later.” 
Don smiled down at Will.  “I’ve
been telling him all about you, but he insisted on waiting to pass judgment
until he met you.  Looks
like he’s decided to keep us.”

Will looked at the cat and thought about the fact that he
was their cat.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  A living, breathing member
of their little family.  class=GramE>Will felt a thrill of joy go through him.

There was a slight shake to Will’s voice as he asked, “Well,
Monster, did you keep Don company while I was gone?”

“Yep,” Don answered for him, “But not nearly well
enough.”  Don reached down, pulled Will
up from the floor and wrapped his arms around him.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  “Welcome home, Will,” he said and kissed him
deeply.