The Woman Next Door

Chapter 5

"Oh, can we get that!"

"That's a bird, Bella." Lauren said, jumping back when the owl slammed against the cage. "An angry bird."

"Where's Curls?"

"He had to go into work. So it's just you and me to pick a kitty."

Isabella grinned, strolling along the row of cages until they reached the kittens.

Isabella looked at some cages, falling on to her knees at one of the cages near the back. "Lauren, look at him."

Lauren crouched down next to the girl and looked at the kitten, it was small, clearly the runt of the litter, it had white fur with black feet that made it look like it was wearing socks but the more distinguishing feature was the fact that it's eye had recently been stitched closed leaving it with only one eye.

"He's beautiful." Isabella said, looking up at Lauren with begging eyes. "Can we get him, please?"

"Sure. I think he likes you." Lauren smiled, nodding to the cat that was pressing its nose through the bars. "Uh, excuse me? Can we have that one?"

"Are you sure? There are prettier cats around here." The man said, taking the kitten out of the cage and handing him to Isabella.

"No, he's beautiful."

The man just nodded. "I'll just go get the adoption forms."

"'Ren, look," Isabella gasped. "He's licking my hand."

"He likes you." Lauren smiled, scratching the kittens head. "What do you want to name him?"

"Captain Jack Sparrow. Sparrow for short." Isabella said, looking up at Lauren with bright, excited eyes and Lauren just couldn't find it in herself to say no to the name.

"Sure."

"Here you go, ma'am. Just fill these out and you're free to leave."

"Mommy's gonna love him." Isabella cooed, scratching the kitten behind the ear making him purr. "What happened to his eyes, mister?"

"We found him in an abandoned home, every other cat in the litter unfortunately didn't make it but he's a fighter. He made it but his eyes was infected because one of the rats scratched him so it had to be removed."

Isabella gasped, hugging the kitten closer to her and kissing his head. "Don't worry, sparrow. I will look after you. Lauren, mommy and Curls will too. We will love you a whole lot. It doesn't matter if you only have one eye, I have two but I can't give you one, because they're mine, but we will love you with just one eye."

Lauren grinned down at Isabella as she continued to mumbled stuff to the cat. "Cute kid, she's yours?"

"No, Lauren is mommies not-girlfriend."

"Not-girlfriend?"

"Yeah, Lauren isn't mommies girlfriend yet but she might be soon." Isabella explained making the man look up at Lauren.

"It's complicated."

"Mm, sounds it. Ok, you're all set to leave." The man smiled and Lauren nodded, taking the kitchen from Isabella and holding the girls hand as they headed to the car.

"Can I have him in the back with me?"

"Ok, but you have to hold onto him real tight, alright?"

Isabella nodded enthusiastically, smiling down at the kitten when it was placed into her arms.

"You know, your mom would probably bop you on the nose if she found out you'd told me what she said."

"Which part?"