When Mrs. Infamous Loved The Masochist... (BOOK 2)

Chapter 67

It had been a couple days since Nina's cat, Ivory, had passed away and she was taking it very hard. It broke my heart to see her this upset and sad that her long-time companion is gone and she didn't value the time she had with Ivory. Her depression was so severe to the point that she missed school for those few days and didn't leave her house. At this point, I don't think Nina will find the motivation to attend her audition. I didn't want to bring it up because I didn't want to disregard her pain as inconvenient, but I was worried her state would prevent her from continuing to live her life as best as she's can. Emerson had volunteered to stay with her to make sure she's taken care of and that she has someone to mourn with. I haven't known Nina for very long, I wish I had known her longer to understand how special Ivory was to her. All I know is that when she finally became independent from her own family, Ivory was her first companion to feel safe with and make her believe she wasn't alone.

One day, I went over to Nina's home and brought my dog, Fern, with me. I was accompanied by Remington and Delilah who was a few months away from delivering her baby. We brought her some flowers and some snacks to help her feel better, though I wasn't sure if it'd be enough to help. I was hoping more that our presence would remind her that she still has us to bring her happiness and comfort. When we got there, Emerson answered the door and let us in. I asked how she was doing and he told me with no helpful expression on his face, "She's still taking it very hard, but when I told her you were coming over, she smiled. Nina loves seeing the friends she still has, especially you, Carina." I was taken back by his words, "Me?" He gave me a small smile as he nodded, "You were the first friend she made that helped her feel less lonely and made her realize she's kind enough and deserves to have good company like us with her." I didn't think much of myself for having Nina as one of my closest friends, but hearing Em's words made me grateful to have met Nina at all.

We came in and found Nina lying on her couch in the living room of her house, her face still devoid of hope which made me sad. When we approached and greeted her, it took a moment for her to notice us and then giving us a brief smile before spacing out again. Del knelt close to Nina and took her hand gently before asking, "You doing good, sweetie? We're worried about you." Nina didn't respond very much as she shrugged and commented, "I just feel empty. I wish I didn't." Remington stood behind the couch as he reassured her, "You won't. You have all of us to make you feel better and you'll be okay. Everything is going to be okay, Nina." She just let out a long sigh and closed her eyes, making us wonder if we could really make a difference in helping her. Out of nowhere, Fern starts barking from the other side of the room and won't stop. "FERN! QUIET DOWN!", I said to her, but as I got closer to her, she began to scurry down a set of stairs that must led to the basement of Nina's home. I followed my dog all the way down and around the room until she stopped near a cardboard box. I was about to lash out at her for making me run around until I looked inside the box and gasped loudly as I continued to see what was inside.

I ran back upstairs and hurried over to Nina to tell her, "Nina, come with me!" She opened her eyes and looked confused, "What? Why?" I explained, "Fern found something in your basement. You have to come see this, trust me!" She seemed like she didn't want to at first, but she found the strength and energy to get up from the couch and take my hand as I led her and the rest of our friends down to her basement where I showed them the contents of the cardboard box. When Nina took a peek inside, her eyes widened and she covered her mouth as she couldn't believe what she was seeing. "Ivory had...", she exclaimed holding back tears as everyone realized what was happening, "...baby kittens before she passed away?" I nodded as we all looked inside the cardboard box to find seven kittens only about a few weeks old and they looked so cute and adorable just sleeping in there all snuggled up with each other. There were nothing but smiles on all our faces, especially seeing Nina cry silently to find out her cat had left something of herself before she moved on, and it must have helped Nina feel better to know she didn't lose Ivory completely.

Nina brought the kittens to her kitchen as she began to leave them milk for them to drink, she wasn't sure how long the kittens had gone on without anything to eat or drink. The kittens were already attached to her as they admired her pets and nuzzles, and then I asked, "Are you going to name these kittens?" She smiled as she stated, "I already have." Pointing at each small kitten, she announced to us each name she's given, "Charlie, Peach, Fleur, Louie, Diana, Timothy", then she picked up the last one, "and this special kitten that looks just like her mother", she explained as it mowed softly in her grasp, "Ivory Jr." We were so happy to know Nina didn't have to let go of her very first friend and she didn't lose her either. After the kittens were settled in her closet, she took a moment to say to us, "Thank you, everyone, for being here for me. I know I took it hard when Ivory died and I thought I'd never get her back. But you all reminded me that I'm not alone anymore and I deserve the company I'm surrounded with. I love you all so much." We were all touched by her sweet words as we gathered in a group hug that left Nina with more tears of joy.