Page 85 of Pure Silence

“You think she’ll be unhappy with Twinkle?”

“Oh, I don’t think it. Iknowit.”

15

DAY

Twinkle was wonderful.

Twinkle was sweet and playful andfast.

Oh, and Purrcy most certainly did not like him.

Day watched the patchy ball of fur zoom around the apartment in absolute delight, and he grinned when Twinkle came running back to him for scratches and pets. Twinkle would purr andpurrlike a lawnmower, and then he’d run off again like an orange rocket.

Purrcy had hissed the moment she saw him, and she ran off to the bedroom with an angry yowl.

Goldie shut the door to lock her in, saying that they probably needed to give them some space before trying to make proper introductions. While he got the new kitten food and toys unpacked, Day parked himself in the middle of the living room to play with Twinkle.

He’d never been able to have a pet of his own before, and he couldn’t stop smiling.

He was happy.

Twinkle discovered the couch and promptly climbed up the side of it like a spider, and then he jumped off to attack a small speck of lint in the carpet.

Goldie suggested now might be a good time to give Twinkle the grand tour, and Day hopped to his feet immediately. He grabbed Twinkle up to show him where the litter box, food, and water were, although Twinkle didn’t seem very interested.

He kept chewing on Day’s sleeve and tried to bat at his hair.

As soon as Day set him back down, Twinkle raced over to attack the lint again.

Day didn’t think he’d ever laughed so much.

Goldie brought over some of the new cat toys—a fuzzy bird on a stick, some jingly balls, and a catnip Christmas tree.

Day offered Twinkle the Christmas tree, but Twinkle wanted one of the jingly balls instead.

Which was then promptly batted under the stove, never to be seen again.

Goldie relaxed on the couch while he watched them play, and Day’s heart skipped over itself when Goldie smiled at him.

Today was a good day.

He woke up with Goldie, learned how to cook eggs, and retrieved his belongings from home that wasn’t home now.

Oh!

And the cat.

He got a cat.

Something magical had happened when Day picked up Twinkle. He’d felt something when their eyes met, and Twinkle’s loud purring was almost enough to block the rescue man’s filth. That was nearly as special as being able to hear Goldie, and Day was so grateful that Goldie let him bring Twinkle home with them.

He was happy. He was so, so very happy.

And he was determined to be the best cat parent ever. He knew Goldie would help him learn what he needed to do to take good care of Twinkle like Goldie did with Purrcy. Day was taking responsibility for another life, and he was proud of himself.

He thought Father would be proud of him too.