Pets
Does This Cat Make Me Look Fat?
If you are a spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend or special friend, no answer includes the phrase “You Betcha”
“The only thing a cat worries about is what’s happening right now.”–Lloyd Alexander
I was sitting inside in my little garden near the butterfly bushes. The sun was shining down, warm and bright. As the big orange flowers swayed in the breeze, a scent designed to attract butterflies was wafting over my head.
I was in my comfy chair with both my cats. One cat was upside down in my lap, his head between my thighs, his four legs in the air as I rubbed his belly. This was Tall. Tall’s fur is slick and warm. I rubbed his belly back and forth and he rewarded me with loud, long purrs.
The second cat was pressed against me, his face next to my face, his whiskers tickling my nose. Both of his paws were on my shoulder. Dark feels incredibly soft. His purr next to my throat was soft but continuous. My eyes were closed. I was rocking back and forth just a little, enjoying the smell of the butterfly bushes and the cats.
My spouse walked by. He said, “You look like the phat cat that just stole all the treats from the other cats.” Wait; what? The cats were making me look fat. I sat up slowly as not to disturb my boys. “Explain,” I said, leaning slightly forward.
“Phat is an informal term for expressing general approval for someone or something and can be used in expressing admiration of various qualities… the adjective phat… is a deliberate misspelling of fat, intended to invert its meaning.” Macmillandictionary.com.
“In this maelstrom of the pandemic, social unrest, and economic uncertainty, you have found a moment of peace,” he said. He bent down and kissed my forehead. “Not fat, but phat,” he said, using his hands to illustrate. “You look phat. Phat in spirit, and phat with peace,” he said. “Enjoy your moment.” He opened the door and went back into the house.
I relaxed adjusting the cats back into position. I closed my eyes.
Yes, the cats make me look phat.
***
Toni Crowe retired as the Vice President of Operations of a division of a multi-billion-dollar company to pursue her dream of being a writer. Toni has written six books, two of which have won Reader’s Choice Gold Awards. Her bestselling business book, ‘Bullets and Bosses Don’t Have Friends,’ was one of the winners.
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