The Deal of a Lifetime

I had a wonderful sleep, I thought, as I purred at the end of Robert’s bed. He was already awake before dawn and was petting me like usual. I thought about the deal overnight and knew I would make it with Marinette. I would be able to do things that other cats could not… For once I would be the envy of all cats. Maybe she could even grow me another eye, I wondered, as I rolled over grabbing at Robert’s hand with my paw.

“Well Tigger, I guess I gotta get going to work… Someone needs Temptations and cat litter and that stuff costs money.” He said.

Really?

Yeah. I bet you’ll go outside and have fun like usual. Today’s gonna be a scorcher!

You know I met a Voodoo Goddess yesterday who offered me a deal?

You better be careful. She may trick you!

Naw. I know her… She’s one of my human enactions.

Really? I bet she’s a devil then. I said jokingly.

Yeah! She’ll enslave me. I said rolling my eye, then continuing, What would you do if I could talk and have human hands?

Probably make you take out the garbage.

Sure… But really? What?

I don’t know… I’d play cards with you… It’d be better then online poker, that’s for sure. You wouldn’t try to cheat!

Just imagine… Me… With hands! Real human hands!

I gotta get going. You think it over and tell me tonight. I’m going to shower.

With that Robert got up off the bed and headed for the bathroom with a towel and his housecoat in tow. I thought I’d like one of those showers, nice and warm… Like the summer rain. It’d feel good… I could even dry off with a towel. I thought I’d get going nice and early… Then I remembered those two cats. Wouldn’t they be looking for me for revenge? I’d get out early and they’ll still be sleeping.

I crept off the bed and out to the kitchen towards the pet door. I pushed it open with my head and slipped out into the early morning. I headed for the sandbox from yesterday and wondered if the silver dollar was still there? I bet Robert would like that… A show of faith… Maybe it’s worth another bag of Temptations for me, I thought, as I slipped through the fence towards the sandbox two yards over. When I got there Marinette was standing there holding the silver dollar in her right hand.

“Wouldn’t you like to feel this? You can… In your new hands.”

Maybe… Just maybe.

“Did you think about it last night?”

Yeah… A lot. What kind of favours do I have to do for you?

“Like I told you… Following unsuspecting people… Running errands… Maybe even befriending me.”

Okay… I’ll do it.

Marinette raised her left hand and spoke some foreign words. She waved herhand in circles and then touched me on the forehead.

“There, it is done… You now have special abilities.”

“Really? Wow… I’m speaking… English.” I said testing my new abilities.

Meow. Purrrrrrrrr.

“Yes cat, you still have your inherent abilities.”

“Alright…” I said thinking of my paws turning into hands.

One after another my front paws turned into hands and I reared up on my back feet. I silently thought they were there… Tiny little human-like hands covered in soft fur. I squeezed a fist and pumped the air in victory thinking I had it made now. I unclenched my fist and saluted Marinette. I felt like a brave soldier returning home from the front with news of a victory over the enemy hoping to appease the general. I thought Robert is gonna get to eat my cooking tonight for all he has done for me… Tuna… Tuna… Tuna. He has been my friend for a long time now and looked out for me… Now I can look out for him.

“Here… Take this!” said Marinette holding out the coin.

I reached out and took it in my hand, happy to re-clench my fist around it… The first thing I’ve held… EVER!

“Thank you, Marinette! Anything you’d like done?” I asked in anticipation of repaying my new debt.

“Nope. Go home and give your master this coin… I heard you talking with him this morning.He seems to believe it’s possible that I’m real.”

“Yeah… He’s the best.”

I took off running for the fence on two feet having already forgot about moments before when I needed to stand on all fours. Now thankful to Marinette for her spell and my fortune to carry such a gift for Robert, I was thrilled to make it home and wait for Robert to come home too.