Sweet Contradictions

Chapter Three: Absence

        "Oh, that's really cool. How did you get so many cats?" 

        I never fathomed that I would be asking a 28 year old man that question, but here I was, sitting opposite of a normal, average Joe. Who lived with 18 cats. 

        18 cats. 

        I could already hear Sara giggling in my living room with my mother as they played chess and drank wine. 

        "Oh, it started with a stray...and then more. They just seemed to keep reproducing! But I fell in love with them all. What about you? You like cats?" 

        "Oh, well...I'm not really a cat person." 

        "Oh, that's really unfortunate. Cats are so intelligent. In fact, come with me to my house. You need to see good cats. I could show you some of my favorite cats. You'll instantly become a cat fanatic." 

        I didn't conceal my wide-eyed, eyebrows-drawn-together-in-disgust look. He had to be kidding. 

        "Actually, oh my, I totally forgot, I have this thing I have to go to. I am so sorry."

        He seemed slightly upset, "Oh, it's not a problem. It was nice to meet you, Frankie." 

        "Nice to meet you, too." I was exiting the building with a speed that I've never been more proud of. 

        "You'll have to call me sometime and we can go see the cats!" He called out to me. 

         "You'll have to send me some pictures or something!" I called out, waving. 

        "But I don't have your number!" 

        I shrugged and acted like I didn't hear him, before getting into my car and speeding away. 

        ***

        I opened my apartment door to find Cam, Sara and mom nestled snugly in my couches. 

        "What the hell are you all doing here?" 

        "How'd the date go?" Cam asked. 

        "He had 18 cats, Cam. How do you think it went?" 

        Cam burst out in uncontrollable laughter, "Oh, that is rich!" 

        "Yeah, ha ha. I'm glad you find it so amusing," I reached into my fridge for a beer, "because I didn't find it amusing at all." 

        "You're still going to Sara's for tea, right? She texted me to make sure you'd still be there." 

        "I don't know, I guess I'll go. Are you going?" I was rummaging through the fridge for anything edible. 

        "Nah, Freddy and I have stuff to do. But you go and have a good time." 

        ***

        I couldn't believe how stupid I had been to agree to let Sara make me tea at her place. The second I walked in the door, I smelled the pizza in the oven. I hated pizza and Sara knew it. 

        She had a party going on in here, I knew it. 

        "Frankie! Tea!" 

        "Sara..." I hissed, seeing drinks and people in the main room, "Is Callaghan here?" 

        "Frankie...you can't avoid-" 

        "Sara," I pursed my lips in anger, "I do not want to see him!"