The Jellicle Chronicles - Year Five

Someone to Watch over Me

“There’s a somebody I’m longing to see 

I hope that (s)he, Turns out to be 

Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me.”

“Someone to Watch Over Me,” by George and Ira Gershwin 

From the Musical - Crazy Over You

      September is a month of preparation in some parts of the world. In the northern hemisphere, the harvesting is mostly completed, and the summer warmth is beginning to fade. The days start to shorten, and the sun moves farther to the south. The leaves turn colors, falling from their branches in a rain of reds and yellows. Animals scent the air, and know instinctively that the cold of winter is approaching. Time to prepare for harder times. Time to move to warmer climates, to burrow in and sleep, or look for shelter. 

      In the Jellicle Infirmary of the Yard, the cream-point Healer lay on her pillow in the far curve of the overturned bathtub. Now restricted to bed-rest, her mind wandered. As she reflected on the past, her paws did two things without her knowledge. Her right paw touched a silver cross hanging from a collar at her throat. The cold metal gradually warmed as her fingers caressed its shape. Memories of a love in her adolescence, now gone and cold, drifted like the coming snow through her mind. Her left stroked the prominent bulge of her lower abdomen. A life stirred inside her, and storm clouds moved like dark sheep in other portions of her mind. A white calico kitten darted in and out of the storm, coming close and then running away. Lightning flashes lit the clouds, and Tailkinker groaned as pain lanced through her. Quickly, her Gift located the areas that were troubled, and her body responded to the commands. 

      Shaking her head, the young Healer knew she was feeling the pains closer together. Tailkinker had trouble sleeping now because the pain shocked her awake. She thought about asking Jellylorum to help her, but something held her back. 

      A movement on the other side of the room brought her attention away from her memories and pains. Jellylorum now hovered near her only injured patient. A growl erupted from Tailkinker’s throat without bidding. Griddlebone! Without realizing it, Tailkinker’s claws extended and pieced the fabric of the pillow. The sultry Snow Queen had never touched Tailkinker directly at least, not until the young Healer took Brutus as her Mate. Through the gentle giant of the Railway Guardian, she had learned about a Jellicle who came as “Snowmane” and left as “Griddlebone.” Like any proper Mate would, Tailkinker felt the need to protect him from such enemies. Unfortunately, Tailkinker also realized that she did not just want to protect and defend - she wanted to attack and savage her enemy. The growl became louder. 

      The curtain opened at the far end of the large bathtub, and the newest member entered hesitantly inside. Tailkinker did not know how to take the spectacled Jellicle Tom. At first meeting, she had been angry, and did not like the White Tiger defending the Snow Queen. She had insulted him, but did not feel sorry about it. Even now, the White Tiger male went over to where Griddlebone lay. Jellylorum nodded to him, and then left him alone with that … “Ice Bitch.” 

      Turning her back on the other pillow, she curled up on her side, and tried to stave off another pain attack. Barely, she succeeded. Tailkinker knew she was fighting a losing battle, but she had to hang on. Brutus would never forgive her if she did not have this kitten, and Tailkinker really did want her. Her! Oh, Rumpus! She had not wanted to know until she saw her kitten for the first time. Her Gift had taken the surprise away from her. 

      Rumblepurr stood before the pillow on which Griddlebone lounged. For the moment, the pretty Ice Queen ignored him. A slight smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. As Bombalurina had told him, he really knew how to catch a lady’s attention. Finally, Griddlebone looked at him with ice-blue eyes. Funny how ice can burn! But then, Rumblepurr knew about “dry ice” and what happened when you touched it.