Cosmos and Anna
A Hidden Story
By: Birdie Jay
The cat’s mouth opened wide in a yawn, lazily watching as people walked underneath, not bothering to look up at him lying on the fisherman statue. Licking his paws, he realized he would not get any peace with the number of people around today. After a good stretch, he jumped off the statue and ignored how the people parted ways for him as he walked.
He knew the people were scared of him. He was known for getting into a few fights with the humans, and the scars on his ears and eyes only added to their fear. If it weren’t for the legend that cats protected the land, he had a feeling he’d already be dead. Making his way to his favorite spot, he imagined the peace he would get as he watched the ocean. It was the perfect spot to imagine all the kinds of fish he could find and catch.
The cat’s tail flicked slowly from side to side, eyes falling upon a curly-haired girl sitting in his spot. He growled as he approached the girl, hoping she’d hear him and leave. His growl grew louder as he neared her, and he could see that her hands were buried in her face, making sobbing sounds. He watched in annoyance before deciding to take the spot next to her. If he was right, she’d eventually see him and go cry somewhere else.
Getting onto the bench, he laid down and curled his tail around his body, ignoring the crying woman next to him. He kept his eyes ahead even as the sobs turned into sniffles.
“Oh. Hello,” the girl said.
The cat continued to ignore her, and the sound of her blowing her nose almost made him get on his paws and leave.
“Aren’t you that cat?”
And there it was. The cat’s ears flattened, waiting for the girl to get up and hurry off.
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” the girl continued, lifting her legs onto the bench and laying her head on her knees.
He glanced at her, wondering why she hadn’t left yet.
“You’re a bit of a loner like me,” she said. Facing the ocean, she stared at it for a while before speaking again, “Can I tell you something?”
The girl continued without waiting for a response: “I thought life would get better moving down here, but it’s only gotten worse.” Her voice choking again with tears, “I’m here all by myself, and it gets so lonely sometimes.” Wiping her face, she glanced at the cat, whose eyes were focused on the ocean.
The cat silently agreed as he stared out at the water. It was a lonely world, but it was something that he had gotten used to. Similar to the scars on his body, you got used to it being there. As the girl’s sniffles started again, the cat got on all fours and bumped his head onto the girl’s arm. He came here for some peace, and the girl wouldn’t be helping if she started crying again.
The girl lifted her head from her arms, tears brimming, and gave the cat a small smile. She carefully stretched out her arm, showing her hand before slowly laying her hand on his head. Realizing that he wouldn’t withdraw, she gently scratched his head, “Is this you comforting me? Thank you,” she sniffled.
The cat was happy that she finally stopped crying. An alarm startled them both, making the cat jump off the bench and hiss.
“I’m sorry. That was just my alarm to head back to work,” the girl explained, showing her phone as she turned it off.
Wiping her face, the girl glanced at her phone as she fixed her shirt and smoothed down her curly bob. Standing as she finished, she smiled more widely this time.
“Thank you again, and I’m sorry about scaring you. You’re a lot sweeter than people say and great company.”
The cat continued to glare at her, waiting for her to leave.
“Right. I should get going. Not sure why I was waiting for a response,” the girl mumbled. She gave him one last wave before she started walking away.
The cat watched as she disappeared and hopped back onto the bench, happy to have his favorite spot back. Curling himself around his body, he relaxed slowly into the warmth the girl had left behind.
The cat watched as the sun slowly rose and shined over the town. He usually waited until the sounds of boats could be heard, and children laughed as they played over at the beach a jump away, but the silence lasted longer than usual, and he needed food. The cat stretched his body and jumped off the bench, his hunger steering him into the town.
He stared curiously at the bright yellow sign hanging over the town center and continued down the empty streets. He sighed in frustration as he walked past pumpkins and large figures outside the shops. He was beginning to think that coming into town for food was not the wisest option. He sniffed the air as a familiar smell wrapped around him and followed it until he reached a large window of a small shop. The cat tilted his head in confusion as he saw the empty store, but the smell was even stronger.
As if wanting to answer his question, the girl who took his favorite spot appeared from the swinging door, holding napkins and a spray bottle. He watched as she dragged her body from table to table with tired eyes. As she reached the table closer to the window, her brown eyes caught the cat from yesterday staring right at her. The cat’s tail moved slightly as her eyes lit up, and she gave a small wave. Setting down the towel, she stepped out of the store, the sounds of chimes greeting the cat before she could.
“Hi!” the girl greeted excitedly.
The cat hissed, not wanting her to step any closer. She had gotten close enough yesterday already.
The girl stepped back and stared wearily at the cat. Turning around, she went back inside and disappeared again.
Good riddance, the cat thought. He had made a rule not to get close to humans and had already broken his promise.
Before he could walk away, the girl appeared again; footsteps rushed as she pushed the door open again.
“I have food!” she shouted, swaying the canned tuna side to side, the smell permeating the air. “We make tuna sandwiches, so we always have canned tuna on hand.”
The cat licked his lips at the beautiful smell. He had been searching for food, and it would have been silly to pass on the offer. He’ll eat and go, he told himself. He watched as the girl set down the can of tuna, waiting for her to distance herself before he began to eat.
The girl stepped back and watched, smiling, as he ate silently. Bending down, she leaned her back against the wall.
“My name’s Anna, by the way,” she said. Anna turned her head and giggled, “I can’t believe I’m introducing myself to a cat.”
The cat glanced up from his meal briefly as he ate.
“You’re my first customer, y’know? Jade, my manager, refuses to close for the holidays,” she said, running her fingers over her brown apron. “One day, I’ll own a bakery and have everyone off for the holidays.”
The cat licked its lips and straightened himself in front of the empty can, openly staring at her now that he was done.
Anna couldn’t help but smile as the cat appeared to be patiently waiting for her to finish. She slowly lifted her palm, waiting to see if the cat would run away. Reminded of the first time they met, she carefully reached for him, her heart soaring as he allowed her to pet him.
From the looks of it, the cat knew she needed it. Besides, he didn’t mind too much when she petted him.
“I wonder if you have a name,” Anna murmured. “Do you mind if I gave you one?”
The cat meowed, and Anna felt like the world had become brighter.
Anna absently scratched the cat’s head as she looked him over, mind racing as she tried to come up with a name. Her eyes stopped on the white star-like shape in the middle of his chest, amidst black fur, and immediately thought of a name.
“How about Cosmos?”
The cat meowed again, rubbing his head on her hand, and Anna’s smile widened. “Awesome. That’s your name now. Cosmos.”
Cosmos pulled away, attention now on the need to rest.
“Leaving now?”
Cosmos yawned in response and began to walk away.
“Bye, Cosmos!” she waved, “Thanks for stopping by. Come by again, okay?!”
Anna watched as he disappeared before going back inside.
Cosmos jumped onto his favorite spot, closed his eyes, and thought about stopping by tomorrow.
Cosmos yowled as another cat swiped at his leg. Leaning back, Cosmos found a way to escape and ran across the street as fast as he could. He could hear the cat’s screams behind him as he sped across pedestrians. He ran until he reached the bakery where the girl worked and softly meowed once he reached the window. Eyes wide as he searched for her, he waited until he was shooed away by another human.
Cosmos limped his way away from the shop, hoping he could make his way back to the bench.
“Cosmos?”
At the sound of her voice, Cosmos turned around and meowed as loud as he could. He weaved his body through her legs and wrapped his tail around her.
“Oh my- what happened?”
Anna bent down, eyes wide in concern at the fresh wounds on Cosmos’ body. She gently touched his back and moved closer to get a better look.
“We have to get you to a vet,” she choked, the sound of tears clear in her voice.
Opening her arms, she stared at Cosmos, “Come on, I’ll carry you .”
Cosmos eyed her open arms, remembering the cruelty the world often gave him in a human’s arms. He glanced between her eyes and arms and saw the open display of concern. He gingerly climbed into her arms and laid his head on her chest. He relaxed into her as she softly cooed, listening to her heartbeat until he fell asleep.
Cosmos woke up to the sound of wind chimes and warm sunlight. Opening his eyes, he glanced around the room and frowned when he could not see Anna. Hopping off of a large cushion, he passed the doors and entered the room Anna was in.
Anna was facing away from Cosmos. He watched as she pulled out a bowl and quickly rinsed it before setting it on the counter. At the sound of a can being opened, Cosmos called to her, startling her.
“Cosmos! You’re awake,” Anna said, turning to him with a bright smile.
Cosmos rubbed against Anna’s leg, making her laugh.
“I’m coming. Let me just put this food in the bowl,” Anna said.
Cosmos watched as she poured the food, and as soon as she set the bowl on the floor, he began eating immediately.
“I’m so happy you’re okay,” she said.
Anna watched Cosmos, relieved as she glanced at his wounds, “Luckily, it was not as bad as it looked. The vet even took care of it for free. She was thrilled that someone brought you in for some care.”
Standing with a slight groan, she walked over to the couch and pulled her legs up, watching him eat until he finished.
Cosmos groomed himself for a few minutes before he walked towards Anna and jumped into her lap, butting her chin with his head.
Anna responded by scratching the top of his head.
“Do you wanna take another nap?”
Cosmos meowed and got out of her arms.
“You’re so smart,” she said in fascination, laying down and opening her arms.
Cosmos laid his body next to hers, placing his face on her chest, and welcomed the sound of her heartbeat.
This was home. What he’d always been waiting for.
Both grew quiet as the sun warmed their skin and listened to the birds sing softly until they fell asleep.
