Crazy Cat Guy, is, believe it or not, based on a true story. When I heard the tale told to me by a close friend, I knew it would make a fantastic story. With a few tweaks, it became one of my favorite pieces I’ve ever written. I love how truth is often stranger than fiction. In this case, it made for such a wonderfully fun and rich story. I hope you enjoy inviting Jacob and his seven cats into your life. Lord knows I enjoyed creating their world a great deal. Here is a bonus excerpt. If you do enjoy the story, please let me know! Oh, and be sure to tell a friend.
Excerpt
“Sounds like your cats are getting a bit restless.”
I shifted a bit and sat up, even though breaking the contact was the last thing I wanted to do.
“Yeah, they’re not used to being locked up for so long. I…uh, I hadn’t planned on you staying this long.”
He looked up at me and smiled, before leaving his reclined position.
“You can let them out if you want. I should be going anyway. Busy day tomorrow.”
Owen stood and started to dress, and I could tell by looking at him that something had changed. Whatever had brought us back together that evening had disappeared, the room back to awkward silence. I slipped on my jeans and padded down the hall to let the cats out. Once the door opened, they started wandering out, going about their usual routine. Owen was slipping his jacket on when I returned to the living room and had his tie balled up in his hand. He looked at me, his smile stiff and forced.
“So where do we go from here, Owen?” I asked.
He cleared his throat, his face like granite. I would have given anything for him to smile or at least look less mortified.
“Um…well, honestly, I don’t know. I guess I hadn’t really thought about it.”
“Well, we’re running out of time.”
Confusion clouded his eyes as he picked up his briefcase.
“Wait…what?”
“The cats. What do we do next? We didn’t really talk about it.”
He let out a breath and his shoulders dropped an inch. “Oh, right. The cats.”
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest.
“Of course the cats. What did you think I was talking about?”
He started mumbling, heading for the door as Hawk and Domsy nosed around his feet.
“Nothing. Anyway, I’m all over this township thing, man. Don’t worry. ”
Stevie picked that moment to meow loudly and plop on the floor in front of me. I sidestepped him, closing the gap between Owen and me.
“What does that mean?”
“Well, I think I’ve found a loophole for you, Jake. One that’ll make this whole thing disappear with the magic of two forms.”
I eyed him, his confidence making me uneasy. “Again, what does that mean?”
He gave his chin a scratch and glanced at his watch.
“It means I’ve done a bit of digging and according to state law, ordinances like this are illegal. Of course, it’s a law no one knows or cares about. But I have a feeling when I bring it to the township’s attention, it’ll be more than enough to end this little charade. I file some paperwork and it’s done.”
He gave me a smug grin before opening the door. A flash of excitement went through me, but it was short-lived.
“And if that doesn’t work?”
“It will.”
“But what if it doesn’t?”
Owen put a hand to my shoulder, and I tried not to freak out.
“You worry too much, Jake.”
As much as part of me wanted to keep the contact, I moved away from his touch.
“Well, I’m the one with something to worry about. If this little game of yours fails, I’m the one in trouble. It’s really easy for you to say ‘don’t worry,’ but I can’t help it.”
His smile disappeared, his whole demeanor changing quickly. “Jesus, Jake, I’m going to take care of this. You need to trust me.”
I started pacing, suddenly overwhelmed with nervous energy.
“I want to, but…”
The next words wouldn’t come out of my mouth, but Owen had no such trouble.
“But you don’t. You don’t trust me.”
I nodded, my eyes on the floor.
“It’s hard to trust someone who broke your heart,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Owen put a finger under my chin and lifted until our eyes met. “I broke your heart? That’s funny because I remember it a bit differently.”
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