My Queen Cats Always Answer To Kitty

Summary

The narrative recounts the intimate bond between the author and their cat, Bathsheba, who exhibits protective and affectionate behavior, particularly during a health crisis.

Abstract

The autofiction story titled "My Queen Cats Always Answer To Kitty" describes the deep connection between the author and their cat, Bathsheba. Bathsheba, a small tortoiseshell cat, becomes a central figure in the author's life, displaying a unique bond with both the author and their partner, Frank. Despite Frank's initial dislike for cats, Bathsheba manages to endear herself to him by waking him gently each morning. The story takes an emotional turn when the author falls ill, and Bathsheba's frantic behavior seems to sense the urgency, leading to the arrival of emergency services. The cat's inability to reach the author in the ambulance and the subsequent day off taken by Death hint at a poignant connection between life, death, and the comforting presence of pets. The author reflects on the biblical inspiration for Bathsheba's name and ponders the cat's defiant spirit against Death. The narrative concludes with a thank you to the reader and a membership invitation to support the author and other writers on Medium.

Opinions

The author views Bathsheba not just as a pet but as a member of the family with a regal disposition, as suggested by her name.
Bathsheba's behavior, particularly her gentle wake-up calls to Frank, indicates a keen understanding of human emotions and relationships.
The author implies that pets, like Bathsheba, have a sixth sense about their owners' health and well-being, as evidenced by her agitated response to the author's medical emergency.
There is a subtle personification of Death, suggesting a whimsical or philosophical take on the concept of mortality and the role pets play in our perception of it.
The story conveys a sense of gratitude towards the readers for engaging with the author's personal experiences and emotions.
The inclusion of a referral link for Medium membership reflects the author's opinion on the value of reading and supporting writers financially.

A Short Autofiction Story

bathsheba’s part of a a gapped lineage of torty cats sprinkling my life. i am one of their people.

bathsheba came to me a kitten crying circling our apartment edges, and approached me placing paws on my shin beckoning me to pick her up and hold her. a runt, she was light and tiny and fell asleep and snored in my cleavage and fist.

bathsheba silently perched on the right side of frank’s temple early every morning bowing her head almost touching his nose. perhaps, her faint fishy breathe breezes tickled his nostrils and gently woke him.

frank, scowling, grumpy, did not like cats. this wake up, constant — disapproved.

when i was fading, breathless, exhausted from little oxygen and a toss and turning, double pillowed night. she began urgent racing and circling our apartment leaping over the clutter and screeching. the noise of knocking the computer over and cracking the screen did not stop her.

the ambulance siren and lights calmed her. the EMTs stepped over her as she lay licking her paws and guarding the door from

Death, she with arthritic knees like me, couldn’t jump high enough to reach me.

Death got a doctor’s note and took the day off.

i baptized her bathsheba, a biblical queen.

i later learned a king saw her bathing and ordered her kidnapping and delivery to the palace.

i wonder if her gargoyle bathing was a muscle memory daring Death to take her instead.

lucky, death doesn’t make substitutions.

thank you for reading.

My Queen Cats Always Answer To Kitty

A Short Autofiction Story

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