Feline Friend

Millie

Millie hated people--always so loud and rude and annoying. Not that she was any different when it came to rudeness, but that was only because no one would leave her alone otherwise.

Millie got off the school bus and headed towards her house, grumbling to herself about the day. She was stuck working with two peppy, energetic girls for a group project in class earlier that day, and the sour mood she gained from that experience still had not left her.

As Millie walked, she passed by many houses. They were nothing special, just rows of suburban houses lined up neatly beside the road. Except for one, that is. One house, though not different on the outside, housed a peculiar old woman by the name of Miss Hopkins.

Miss Hopkins was the town's resident shut-in. No one saw her go outside, no one saw her lights turn on behind her closed curtains. But everyone knew she lived there because the occasional delivery truck left packages at her door that were gone the next morning. Of course, that could be because of package thieves, but there was practically no crime in the town where Millie lived.

Millie often wondered why Miss Hopkins never left her house. Then she remembered that she wouldn't ever leave her own house if given the chance, and she pushed her curiosity aside.

But as Millie passed by Miss Hopkins's house, her curiosity returned to her. Had Miss Hopkins died long ago and thieves really were stealing her goods? No, then she wouldn't be able to buy anything for thieves to steal. Also, she wouldn't be able to pay to keep the house and it would go up for sale. Millie's sour mood slowly dissipated as she considered reasons for Miss Hopkins's isolation.

Eventually, Millie reached her house. She grabbed the extra key from beneath a potted plant and unlocked her front door. Once inside, she set down her bookbag on the couch and went to get an after-school snack. As she went over to the cabinet, something caught her eye. A bag full of food sat on the counter, along with a note.

Millie, the note read, I'd like for you to take these to Miss Hopkins. Try to socialize with her a bit as well, OK? I'm sure she's lonely and would love the company. Love you sweetie. Signed, Mom.

Millie groaned. She was tired of socializing. But, it's not like she could just not deliver the bag. Her mom would skin her alive. Maybe she could drop off the bag, make a bit of small talk with the old lady, and go back home in no time.

Millie sighed, resigning herself to her task. She grabbed the bag of goods and headed towards Miss Hopkins's house.

"In and out," Millie told herself. "Five minutes tops."

But oh, how incredibly wrong she was.