Kitten Tails (Hollstien)

Dad's Girlfriend

6-15-2003

~Carmilla's P.O.V.~

Another year(ish) has come and gone, and Laura seemed slightly upset as of a few weeks ago. Since I really couldn't be there during most outings or at school, I was trying to figure out what had the little ball ray of sunshine so upset. At first I thought it had something to do with school but when her dad kept trying to talk to her after school but she would just ignore him completely, I knew that it had to be something else completely. I watched her pace her room constantly these past few days as well, her energy making me be on edge as if some impending doom was about to come our way. I hated seeing her like this, it was stressing me out completely. But today was different, today she was putting on a nice blue summer dress, her hair in two small pigtails on the side of her head. I had heard something earlier about a picnic while I was dozing off next to Laura while she kept ignoring her dad, so I guess that's why she was getting dressed up. I just lay there, my eyes following her, my tail moving lazily. It wasn't until I felt an anti-flea collar being slipped on me, which smelled horrible, that I realized I was required to go along on this field day. When I saw her grab her harness from the dresser on her bed, I stood, not even fighting it because one little pout on those lips whenever I resisted was enough to make me hate myself.

Once she clipped it on me, I jumped off the bed and walked towards the door, with her following after me. Sherman was coming out from the spare room upstairs, that was to the left as you exited outside of Laura's room, which seemed like a closet of some sort since he came out with a worn looking blanket that was blue and black, and basket. He lumbered towards the kitchen where several snacks were already laying on the counter. We followed him into the kitchen as Laura climbed onto a small ladder that was there for her in case she ever wanted to get water or a snack. She began to organize things in the order her dad should put them in, Sherman leaning over and placing an adoring kiss into the side of his daughter's head. Laura's smile appeared on her face full force. Sherman busied himself slowly loading the basket, the juices and tupperware of food on the bottom, the sandwiches in the middle, and the bags of chips at the very top. He wrapped the blanket over the top of the basket and smiled at the work they had done before lifting it off the counter and hauling it towards the door.

Laura jumped off the small ladder, earning a stern look from her dad. She just smiled sheepishly before grabbing my lead again and making our way towards the door. We headed outside, Sherman locking the door behind us with a soft click. The sun was hot but bareable, but just because it was bearable didn't mean I liked it. I gave a sigh of relief when we climbed into the Jeep and the A/C started up. Laura held onto my front paw with one of her hands, a habit she had grown into since her dad told her to hold onto me when she was nervous in one of their drives where the rain and mud made for a bad drive home from visiting her grandparents upstate. Though I wasn't sure why she was so nervous today, but all I did was be there for her when she needed me.

In about 20 minutes we reached the park. It was a huge open field with several sections of different playing equipment. In the middle there was one huge mesquite tree that gave an amazing amount of shade. Sherman parked and climbed out, holding the basket was him, before walking around the back of the Jeep to help Laura climb out as I jumped out right after her. With that, Laura began to sprint forward, dragging me after her. Within a few seconds I was wheezing already. I need to work on my cardio if this girl is going to be like this for the rest of her life. Once we reached the shade under the tree, she stopped running and laid in the soft grass giggling. I was breathing hard through my nose as I let myself fall on my side. Not only was the tree far from the parking lot, especially for a kitten, but it also had a soft incline that you didn't even notice unless you were actually trying to walk up it. Laura sat up and stroked my side absentmindedly, watching her dad making the long walk towards us. It only took him a few strides. I instantly missed my long human legs.