Dukee was out on the back screened porch lying down when he heard something. He got up and crept low over to the screen door to the backyard. As he stood up and peeked out he saw Rafael walking through the yard.
“Hey, stranger, where have you been?” Dukee asked.
“Ay caramba!” Rafael jumped about a foot in the air.
Dukee giggled, “sorry about that.”
“I think that you just took one life from me,” Rafael felt his heart beating fast.
“I didn’t think that I would scare you that bad,” Dukee walked over and hopped up onto the stool by the screen.
“Well you did,” Rafael walked along the outside of the screened porch to where he could see and talk to Dukee, “I wasn’t expecting someone to say something to me.”
“I haven’t seen you in a while, what have you been doing?” Dukee looked at him.
“Oh, yeah, I know. My humans and I went on a trip and we got back last night,” Rafael sat down and looked up at Dukee.
“Where did you go?” Dukee asked.
“We went to my human mom’s parent's place somewhere in New Mexico. It was quite a long ride in the car but I took a couple of siestas,” Rafael licked his front right paw.
Dukee cocked his head, “what’s a siesta?”
“Oh sorry, siesta means nap. After spending time with the family again I forgot where I was. My human mom’s family speaks a lot of Spanish when they are together,” Rafael said.
“Oh, okay… I like to take siestas too. In the car, however, I’m usually too nervous to nap,” Dukee said.
“Why are you nervous when you are in a car?” Rafael asked.
“I’m used to staying home in the house. When we go somewhere I don’t know exactly where we’re going. And I don’t like going to that place that smells like dogs,” Dukee said.
“Oh, do mean the vet, where they give you shots and stuff?” Rafael asked.
“Yes, the vet. It smells like dogs and some other weird things. When we moved here, it seemed like we were in the car forever but I’m happy that we didn’t end up at the vet,” Dukee scratched his neck.
“Well, I don’t blame you for not liking the vet place, but car rides aren’t that bad. It’s a chance to see other things outside of where you live. Don’t you like to see new things?” Rafael looked at Dukee.
“Yeah, but I like seeing new things that come to me. Even though I am curious about what is outside of these walls, I get scared when I’m outside of them,” Dukee lowered his head.
“Hey, I can understand that. See, I’m used to being out in the world now, but when I was new at it, it was scary for me too,” Rafael said.
“It was? You seem so brave and confident,” Dukee looked at Rafael.
“Well, brave I don’t know about that, but confident yes. I know how to handle myself and what to keep an eye out for when I’m out in the world now. It doesn’t mean that things still don’t get a little scary at times though. But your life is good too because I’m sure that you don’t have to be forced to take as many baths as I do,” Rafael licked his side.
“Baths, no, I’m rarely forced to take one. I bathe myself,” Dukee said.
“Yeah, see, when you roam outside as much as I do, you get dirtier. And my human mom likes to make sure that I am completely clean from time to time and baths me with water and soap,” Rafael shook.
“Oh, I don’t care for water and soap,” Dukee said.
“I’m still not a big fan of it myself but the only way it might stop is if I stop coming outside,” Rafael looked around.
“Do you think that you would quite roaming?” Dukee asked.
“I’ve been allowed to do it for so long that I’m not sure that I would,” Rafael looked at Dukee.
“I remember when I was younger and before my Auntie took me in, that this lady who took me to her home would put me outside. I was scared and all alone. I didn’t know what to do. But one day when I was outside of the lady's door crying, some guy that smelled like pizza picked me up and carried me down the stairs. I saw Auntie smiling at me as the guy handed me to her. I knew right then that my life was going to be better,” Dukee licked the top of his paw.
“That’s a great story Dukee. I think that being an indoor cat like yourself suits you. Your job is to keep your human happy and I can see how happy that makes you,” Rafael said.
“Yes, I guess you’re right. I do like to keep Auntie happy… And when she’s happy, I get treats,” Dukee giggled.
“Well my friend, I must be going. I think that I will head home to get something good to eat,” Rafael said.
“Okay, take care Rafael, it was good to see you,” Dukee said.
“Yeah, you too kid. See you soon,” Rafael turned around and trotted over to the fence.
Dukee watched as Rafael jumped and climbed over the fence. He landed on all four feet on the other side and trotted out of sight. I’m sure that being out there in the world can be interesting, but I like being close to my Auntie, Dukee thought as he hopped down and walked up to the sliding glass door.
Please join me again for more of: Two Cats And A House.