No Love For Cats And Dogs
This is a piece that has been floating around my mind for a couple of months. It may feel a bit rushed at the end, well, because I rushed to finish it. I left out some things that I wanted to add, and probably will later on. I'm open to comments, I'd love to know what people think of this, and I'm also open to suggestions as well.
The café was filled with the murmurs of conversations from various parties and the hushed smooth jazz. The air was heavy with the warm scent of coffee beans. It was about mid-day; the sun was high in the sky and attempted to illuminate the dimly lit room, but only managed to shine on a few tables. Canines and Felines both populated the café, albeit, none ever spoke to each other. They hardly even looked at one another. But, a simple action would change all of that shortly.
Jacob collected his things together, sliding that and his prized laptop into his messenger bag. His paw slowly slid across the polished wooden table, enjoying how smooth it felt before he rose up and began to leave. He closed his eyes, trying to gather his thoughts that were strung about. Because the cat was here for so long, he had already memorized where everything was, except this time there was an obstacle in his path. He collided with someone, but since his eyes were closed, he couldn't exactly see who it was. Stumbling and falling back, he heard the sound of books falling and papers scattering through the air. It felt as if he had just died inside from the embarrassment. To atone for it, he scrambled to get the books and papers, constantly saying "I'm so sorry!" that he didn't realize that all eyes were now on him, or who he had bumped into. After getting the books off of the floor and piling the paper on top of the books, he then looked up as he handed back the belongings. And with that, his jaw dropped. He was staring at a canine â€" a female collie, who looked completely confused.
It was as if that action had turned the world, as well as their brains, upside-down.
He felt as if he was imagining it all. But reality had already bitten him with it's vice grip, and began to do the death-roll as it pulled him under. Everything was so... odd. But, regardless, he still held her belongings out, waiting for her to take them. Which, she did slowly. They both stood up at the same time. She gave out a meek and silent "Thanks..." as if she wasn't supposed to say that, and she didn't want to be heard.
"I still feel bad... can I... get you anything... a cup of coffee or tea, maybe?" By now he was sure that he lost his mind. This is a canine, a dog! You're a cat! C'mon man, put two and two together! This isn't supposed to be happening, you shouldn't be talking, just leave now before something worse happens! But, his body resisted. "Green tea... please..." she whispered in that same voice. Moving over to the counter, his mind was reeling in anger now. Oh sure! Now you wanna listen! Get her the damn tea, see if I care anymore. The blue feline, some type of house cat that Jacob couldn't figure out was, came over to the counter. "One.... green t-tea... for the lady..." he stammered slightly. The cat had furrowed his brows and gave a glance to a female husky, that seemed to be giving him the same look. Even though they hardly spoke, they probably knew what each other were thinking. Something along the lines of 'shouldn't trust this one for the dog's sake.' But regardless, they got the desired effects, for the husky went to work on the green tea, and when it had finished, she had placed it on the counter for the cat to give it to their kin. And he did just that. With a stank look on his face, of course, disapproving of Jacob's actions. Jacob took the tea back to the dog and set it at the table, then slid himself into the chair. Both of their faces were contorted in that same embarrassment that had effected their disposition.
"Why are you still here?" she whispered to him. That hadn't been something he was expecting. "Ah, uh... I-I..." he stuttered, trying to ask the question as he forced a smile, rubbing the back of his head to make up time. A few more seconds of stuttering went on before a sigh left his maw, unable to craft a real reason. But that was when he remembered. His laptop. The files that were on there. His own writings. Looking up with a newfound determination, it was somewhat shattered with the dog sitting across from him. How would she react? Would she think he was just plain stupid? But he had gotten this far. It couldn't kill him to try, but it sure would hurt. So reluctantly, he said, "See... I'm writing this journal and blog about how stupid it is for us cats and dogs not to talk to each other... I mean, for what? Just because of a saying? How stupid is that? We've created a barrier between ourselves for no real reason, and I'm just trying to break that barrier down." While he was speaking, he wasn't looking at her; his gaze fell to the table. But, if he had, he would see the look of astonishment and shock pasted all across it as if it had been highlighted in neon lights. His paw rested on the table, digits drumming against the wood. He gave a silent gasp and quickly lifted his head when her paw rested upon his own. He was mouthing a word, but nothing came out, mostly because of that disarming smile she gave him.
"It's about time that someone felt that way."
***
Jacob had rushed home early. A week passed after he had met the collie, and regardless of the society they were raised in, kept in touch. But today was a special day. It wasn't just all of the time consuming chatting and jokes. Today, would be their first date. As he stepped into his apartment, he scrambled to the closet, flinging the door open, scrambling to find something decent to wear. But, that came to a fast stop as it did start, for he then ran to the bathroom to check his fur. Glancing at the watch on his wrist, he was glad that he got out early. Well, slipped out early. He had enough time for a shower, but it couldn't hurt to be fast. Better early than late, after all.
He spent about fifteen minutes in the shower, lathering and rinsing, then repeating, trying to make sure that he was presentable. He didn't want to look like those mangy street cats, or the alleyway ones. That was his teenage years, and those were behind him now. Finally, he felt that he was scrubbed free of any type of dust, dirt, or grime that was on a microscopic level, and he pulled back the multi-colored fish shower curtains, then stepped out onto the white towel that rested on the floor. His bathroom wasn't too big, but it wasn't small either. He had enough room in it to move around. Opening the door, he let the steam waft out into the hallway before rubbing the mirror with his paw. Of course, it wasn't a sure-shot complete way to clean the vapor off of the mirror: it still was somewhat smudged and had streaks going through it, but he could see himself now.
A soft smile played across his lips. He was about 5'6 in height. He didn't have much muscle on his build, but hardly any fat, if any at all. His fur was a dark blue, with black streaks running through it. But the blue was so close to black it was hard to tell. Some people thought he was just a black cat from afar. However his admiration was cut short as he remembered that he had a date . It wasn't more of a remembrance, since he couldn't forget something like that, but more of an notification, reminding him to check the time. Picking up his watch that he left on the counter, he looked at the time. 6:22. He had time. Taking in a few deep breaths, he began to dry up and get dressed.
***
Standing on the corner, he glanced at his watch one more time, trying to see if he misread it and ended up coming an hour late. But each time he did, it spat back the same time, if not, close to it. 7:16. That was what time it was now. It wasn't too dark, since it was coming close to the end of spring. Looking up, he saw her crossing the street. A wide smile split his face. He couldn't hold something like that back, or even think about feigning it. She was dressed in jeans, a simple white tee-shirt, and sneakers. Which was somewhat opposite to his blue and white buttoned down shirt that tucked into his khaki pants, and overlapped his brown shoes.
"A bit overdressed, aren't you Jacob?" she questioned, laughing as she came close to him.
"Well, I just couldn't let you think otherwise, Ellen." He replied with a shy chuckle.
"Think otherwise of what? We're only going for dinner and a movie. Oh, and before we do anything else, this has got," she paused, pulling his shirt free from his waist, and letting it hang out, "...to change. And that's better. Shall we go?" she smiled, which was almost in synchronization of when he took her paw. Heads were turning around, eyes were focusing on them.
"Lets."
Stepping into the diner, they noticed the difference in temperature, and decided it would be best to eat outside. Menus were brought to them eventually, the waiter glancing at the two oddly. It wasn't a look of hate, more of curiosity mixed with a heavy dose of confusion. Since the waiter was a dog, Ellen gave the husky a wide smile, which was borderline flirtatious, but at the same time, her paw happened to rest on Jacob's own. The husky, who's confusion transcended beyond confusion, quickly hurried away in the politest manner that he could think of. It was more like a hastened walk, trying not to break out into a sprint, but at the same time trying to get away as fast as possible, leaving the two to chuckle at the actions displayed.
"So..." Jacob said as he began to open the menu.
"What are you going to get?" she questioned as she opened her own.
"Eh, probably just a salad. What about yourself?"
"Salad is too light for me right now, 'specially because I skipped out on lunch today. So, I'll get a burger and fries."
***
The dinner went on casually with small talk and gossip from their job and friends. And once again, their waiter had to come over to serve them, only to keep running away in the same manner as before. Eventually, it was time to call it and end for the diner, but a beginning for the movies. And besides, the more they sat out there, the more heads started to turn. So, after paying the check, and leaving a generous tip for the confused husky, they made their way to the movies. It wasn't anything special there either. Just a time to sit together in a dark room, and stare at an overly large screen with dozens of other furs. It had been a comedy: neither of them wanted to see a romance movie, and there weren't any good action flicks out, so it had been a mutual agreement.
So there they were, standing at the corner of the movie theater, after they had just gotten out. There they were, both gazing into each other's eyes, sharing that same smile that meant more deep down, so much more they didn't know how to show it.
"Well... I had a fun night..." Ellen whispered to Jacob.
"Yeah... so did I. It was nice to finally actually do this Ellen."
"Likewise."
"Likewise..." he repeated silently. If he hadn't been locked with her eyes the kiss would have been surprising to him. But they shared a deep one, both feeling the other melt in their grasp from the way that they felt about them. That kiss, being the true starting point of their relationship. That kiss, letting the other know what they really felt, without the need for a million words to convey it. The best part was that they didn't care if they weren't in the privacy of their own home, they didn't care if they weren't secluded by the shadows of an alleyway. They just cared for one another. And the rest of the world no longer mattered.
However, time went by and summer rolled in. That had left them with various activities to do, mostly being the beach and pools, occasionally going to one another's house to relax. And then the carnival rolled about, baring gifts and prizes for any and all that could get them from their little shenanigan games. It was the semi-annual carnival, so they of course, participated in it. But not for too long, for they felt it was too hot outside for it, so unfortunately after a couple of dollars spent, they went home empty handed.
Autumn came. It was time for Jacob's twenty-eighth birthday. Family and friends from both sides of the relationship gathered around, not only for the birthday, but for the cause of the relationship. Maybe it was just them trying to be nice, and maybe they had actually felt that times needed to be changed. But regardless, it was a celebration that all enjoyed.
Work had started to pile up, causing winter to roll in without them noticing until the snow started to fall. And with that, came the semi-annual carnival again. Some thought it was odd to hold a carnival in the winter and summer, but regardless, people still went despite the weather. Mostly because it was still fun to go to if there wasn't a blizzard looming about. And of course, Ellen and Jacob were spotted there, bundled up, trying to win prizes for them. By the end of the day, Ellen went home with a red bow, and two giant stuffed animals, while Jacob got himself a nice new blue scarf. But there had been something different about this carnival. Just the feeling of it. It felt less friendly than the last one.
Time still continued to be slurred together in a haze. Spring was coming. In the beginning was Ellen's birthday, but this time, they decided to share this one alone. Both of them took their week's vacation so they could spend time with one another, but it hadn't turned out as they expected. Children started asking questions of why a cat and a dog were holding hands. Mothers and Fathers started to glare. Stores started to overcharge. Eventually, restaurants refused to serve them. The world they were trying to awaken was rejecting them. They got through a year. It was their first anniversary. They practically were forced to spend it inside.
That dark feeling got worse as autumn came back. But it wasn't until the end of autumn when everything started to fall apart. Jacob had been fired for some reason. He couldn't remember what his boss told him. Once he heard those words, his ears stopped listening and his mind went blank. Making his way back to his apartment, he received an eviction notice. All of it was forged out of lies, just because they couldn't cope with what he was trying to say. He didn't want Ellen to know, but things were in shambles now.
Everything had been laid out. The stage had been set for the final performance of our two stars of the show. This was their curtain call.
It was a few days later. Some time in November. Dates no longer mattered. Jacob stood on the roof of the overly-large apartment building, just watching people go by. Eventually, someone noticed him, and pointed out to all the others. A crowd grew. Someone probably had called 911. News crew was there now. He stood there, on the edge, dressed in his brown jacket and khaki slacks. His blew scarf blew about behind him as the winds were rough. Someone in the apartment building must have been watching for the door behind him flung open as an unknown assailant tried to ruin his plot and save his life. He couldn't have that. Every step as they drew closer, that lump in his throat grew. Until it could grow no more. And he took one step. The paw was extended, trying to grab him, but all it could manage to do was get a hold onto the scarf. Jacob fell. His eyes closed. He could almost hear the gasps of the people. But he thought it was the wind. There was a thud. Immediately, a chorus of screams. Then, silence.
***
Ellen had been watching the news. It was a live broadcast. She knew exactly what was happening. Sitting in her bed, she cried silently as she watched Jacob stand on the roof, teeter-tottering oh so close to the edge. She gripped her sheets up close to her chest as a revolver sat in her lap. Someone had tried to save him but could only get his scarf. The news felt that it was necessary to show his fall. As he descended, she lifted the gun and pushed it into her maw. All she needed to do was to hear the impact and the screams of everyone around. Once she did hear that, there was a loud bang. Then, silence.
***
Epilogue:
Time went on. It was odd and ironic in a way that after the death of our two stars of this little show, that their audience did realize what they were trying to say. They felt a need to somehow 'make up' for what they had done to the two. So, on the roof of Jacob's apartment building, there was a new pole installed. And his blue scarf was attached to that pole. It blew in the air like a flag. And Ellen's own building, her bow was strung up at the entrance of the building. Every year, on November 9th, they would hold a small tribute to the two. A brief moment of silence during the night with candles and all. Jacob and Ellen had succeeded in breaking down the barrier. It was just that none of them lived to see it.