Thatch! I called. Come back with that. There is no nutritional value in eating cellophane! Thatch ran under the bed with the CD wrapping I had let fall onto the floor.
There isn’t? Annabelle asked. She and Thatch had both run for the cellophane, but Thatch had reached it first. She jumped onto the computer table and scratched her head against the computer screen.
No, Missy Belle, I said. None, absolutely none. It has no taste, no flavor, so what the hell is its appeal?
Well, it crackles, for one thing.
So do Rice Krispies, and I have no idea if they have any nutritional value either.
But you eat them.
Yes, Missy, I do. I do it for the vitamins in the milk.
Well, I wanted that cellophane, and Thatch stole it from me. This is most vexing.
I’m sorry, Annabelle, it isn’t good for you. I kept eyeing the spot of the bed where he had vanished, expecting to hear his choking at any moment. I hope he’s really not eating that.
He isn’t. He’s just chewing on it.
Yuck! Why?
It feels good on our gums. I guess it’s a bit like flossing. When he gets bored, he’ll come out with it.
Well, he’s just a baby. I don’t want him injuring himself. Or choking to death.
Now, Stella! She’d eat it!
I laughed. She’s such a little tuxedo piglet. Well, I don’t want him to choke on that damned wrapping. Thatch! Thatcher cat! Come on out.
Thatch! she called. She jumped onto my lap and then to the floor. She ambled over to the bed and crawled under it.
Hearing her name, Stella came running from the bathroom. When she reached the table, she stopped and looked around for Annabelle and Thatch. She gave me a puzzled look.
Stella bella, are you lost, little girl? She jumped onto the air purifier and climbed onto the computer table. She looked me straight in the eye. What’s wrong, little girl? I asked her. Before I could turn away, she bit my nose.
Ouch, dammit! I yelled. I dropped the CD I was holding as she jumped off the table and zoomed back to the bathroom. Thatch and Annabelle came out from under the bed.
What’s all the noise? Annabelle asked.
Where’s that cellophane? I asked. Thatch, did you eat that?
Of course not, Thatch answered. I’m not stupid, you know.
Oh, it’s under there, somewhere, Annabelle answered. I hate used cellophane,
Oh, God, I thought, as I stood up from the table. Some people have normal cats. I’m so lucky.
©2021, Larry Moore
Annabelle & Thatch 