The next morning, Danielle was ready early in the morning to go to the mall as promised. Michelle gave her friend a quick, awkward hug before they headed down to the parking lot. Danielle drove, to Michelle’s relief, simple tasks seemed to take a lot of effort at the moment.
Luckily, Michelle’s roommate didn’t demand conversation, instead turning on the radio. Michelle looked out the window as they drove toward the mall. It was during this time, staring at the passing scenery, that Michelle noticed a small bundle of orange fur trying to cross the road.
“Dani, pull over!” Michelle yelled.
Looking confused, Danielle pulled over as requested.
Michelle tumbled out of the car with a, “I’ll be right back!” She ran down the side of the road, seeing the little kitten near the white side line. She’s going to get hit, Michelle thought frantically, racing toward the orange tabby.
She reached the kitten just as a car was honking and swerving out of the way, the animal’s little paws venturing over the white line. Without much thought, Michelle grabbed it and stepped back. Frowning, she held the little kitten up and it shivered, uttering a quiet meow.
Realizing how much it was shivering, Michelle held it to her chest and let the small animal draw from her warmth. She patted the kitten’s head and headed back to Danielle. There was no collar and the fur was matted. She could feel the creature’s ribs through its fur, if it didn’t get food soon, it might starve or freeze to death.
Reaching the car, Michelle glanced apologetically at Danielle as she eased into the passenger seat. “Can we make a detour?”
“Shelly…” Danielle said, staring at the matted bundle of orange fur.
“I just need to swing by the vet before we get coffee,” Michelle replied as if it was no big deal.
Danielle laughed and shook her head, “By the sight of that kitten and the look on your face, I have a feeling we won’t be getting coffee at all today.” Danielle turned her blinker on before pulling back into traffic.
Danielle was right. The vet didn’t find a microchip, and by their figuring, the kitten was either lost or abandoned. Without a carrier crate or a box to take the kitten around in, they decided to head back to the apartment after swinging by the pet store to pick up medicated shampoo and cat vitamins.
Michelle still had cat food and other necessary items at home from Orion.
The orange ball of fur meowed in protest during her bath, trying to claw out of the tub, but gratefully accepted the food and vitamins offered afterward. Danielle had decided to leave the animal care to Michelle and gone to the kitchen to prepare food.
The kitten meowed cautiously when Michelle moved her to set her down by Orion’s old bed. She’d had no intention of getting another animal immediately after Orion’s death, but how could she leave the poor thing to fend for itself?
It quietly meowed, sniffing around the bed before looking toward Michelle with a puzzled expression. It bounded off into the living room, as if it knew where it was going. Curious, Michelle followed.
To her surprise, the little thing leaped up to where her tablet was set and curled into a ball on top of it. Setting its chin on its paws, the kitten set to purring, eyes closing in comfort. Michelle watched in surprise, barely noticing when Danielle came out of the kitchen with two bowls of mac ‘n cheese.
“Have you decided on a name for it?” Dani asked, handing one of the bowls over.
“Yes,” Michelle softly said, glancing over at Danielle with a faint smile. “She’s my own little Phoenix.”
~ G.G. Marshall
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
Enjoying this story? Read more about the creature that inspired it: https://www.ggmarshall.com/post/phoenix-profile
Want to read the adventure from the beginning?
The next creature profile will be on the Sea Serpent (available 9/19/24):
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