My sister’s cat, Stella, has always been very elusive. I usually catch rapid glimpses of her gray/black, rotund body dashing from room to room, deep green eyes a charming combination of mischief and shyness. She has always refused my advances toward her and I have never even been given the privilege of running my fingers through her thick coat. At least, not until today.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Stella perched quite contentedly on a Vera Bradley throw on the foot of my sister’s bed. She had her head raised slightly, observing me with those pensive jade eyes; daring me to try making her my friend just one more time. I backed up slowly, nudging the bedroom door open with my right shoulder, all the while cooing, “Hi, there Stella. How are you Sweetie?” Stella yawned at me and then settled her pretty face back down on her pencil point, well groomed paws. “May I pet you today, Stell?” She remained aloof, now refusing to look my way.
I moved toward the bed, my hand outstretched and my voice low and steady. Settling myself down gingerly beside her, I ran my hand timidly down her back; holding my breath and fully expecting her to bolt from the bed and the room. She turned herself quickly on her back, barely audible purrs pushing through the quiet of the room. I began to scratch her belly tenderly, and the purring increased in volume as her luminous eyes closed. We sat there for quite a while, bonding finally after nearly five years. I moved my hand upward toward her velvety ears and when there was no evident objection, I began to rub the inside of her ear lightly with my fingers. She pushed herself even closer to me then, her perfectly manicured toes pointing upward. “You are a pretty girl, Stella. Thank you for making friends with me.” We continued that way for a while and when Stella became restless, I rose up from the bed and walked slowly back to the living room.
I am not and have never been particularly fond of cats. When my sister adopted Daphne and Stella, I realized that if these two little creatures were going to be in the family, and obviously adored by my sister, then I had better get on the band wagon and make room in my heart. Daphne and I bonded instantly, but Stella had been a different story. Now that Stella and I had broken the ice, I was elated!
The week had been stressful, to say the least. The breakthrough with Stella was monumental! “Guess what?” I asked my sister. “Stella and I are now buddies.”
“Great!” my sister said. “She finally let you pet her?”
“Finally!” I said. And then, from nowhere, Stella came flying across the living room floor; landing underneath the sofa where she peered at me with one jade-colored eye. I leaned forward, snapping my fingers lightly. “Com-ere, Stella. Let’s show Mommy that we’re friends.” The eye disappeared. I looked toward my sister, my heart broken. “What did I do wrong?”
My sister laughed. “You didn’t do anything wrong! She’s a cat!”
“I know. But she’s your cat. I want her to like me.”
Right on cue, Stella slid out from beneath the sofa and made her way back to the sanctity of her bed and blanket, but not before turning her head slightly toward me. “Did you see that?” I asked my sister. “She looks like she’s smiling. That must be a good sign.” I didn’t see Stella again throughout the afternoon but I am looking forward to another productive visit soon. Maybe I can talk Dale and Barney into welcoming another addition to our family. Stay tuned!
Belinda Wilcox Ouellette lives Connor TWP with her husband Dale and their Goldendoodle Barney. They are currently working on building a home in Caribou. You may contact Belinda online at: dbwouellette@maine.rr.com.
