I opened the gate to the backyard, shut it behind me, turned and approached the steps to the back door. A thin orange cat darted out from between a trash can and the stairs in front of me. I quickly hopped onto the stairs and he took several quick steps. We both turned, staring at each other, he with pale golden eyes and I with rich brown ones. Shallow contempt masked four seconds of observation between he and I before we turned away from each other. I entered the house, shutting the door behind me as he climbed over a fence. I then paused for a moment.
"Huh."
