Memoirs of a Feral Cat

7 One morning after climbing to the outside, a clump of long grass waved to me, begging for an inspection. A close examination revealed tiny brown bugs marching down the stalks into the dirt. My claws tingled with excitement as I sank them into the brown soil and dug like crazy for a nest of tasty six-leggers. A smell forced my nose skywards. It was strong and pungent, and I knew it well. Big Tom standing upwind and unaware of me. Slipping behind the tall grass, I mustered all of my will power to stay strong and immune myself to his scent. Otherwise, I would collapse again under his power. My eyes feasted on his fluffy black and white fur and that wonderful mane around his thick neck. My tail twitched at the memory of those glorious nights we had together, which later caused me so much agony. I wanted to cry out for my poor, little kittens, and my tail stiffened like a branch ready to crack any head that came near it. I bared my fangs, yearning to rip into the white stripe running under his chin and down to his belly. Just as quickly, my mouth snapped shut. I would lose that fight. Another smell, a hateful one, penetrated the air causing my hackles to rise. A coyote scouted the area, not close but in direct view. My head swiveled between it and Big Tom who was watching a bird flying above him. An opportunity like this seldom repeated itself. I slinked over to my hidden spot under the prickly, berry bushes and let out a little mew. Big Tom’s eyes locked on mine. I didn’t think he would notice the coyote, not when captivated by a molly’s scent. He started towards me with a look and a walk that I knew only too well. “Well, hello again. You and I sang a nice duet to the moon not that long ago.” His movement alerted the coyote, its head pivoting our way, eyes blazing down its long nose. My heart pounded as both the howler and the tom drew closer. Big Tom circled and marked the area around him, radiating his excitement. Agitation, stemming from a blend of eagerness, anger and fear, welled up inside of me. My paws tore into the ground and dirt flew everywhere. In the meantime, the coyote bore down on us with quiet strides.