The Fat Tabby by Laura Ann Joice (books to read in your 30s TXT) 📕

The voices seemed distant, but they swiftly pulled Harold from his sleep. From outside his bedroom he heard Lisa and Frank conversing. Although it was late at night, it wasn’t weird for his best friend, Frank, to be in his house. Leaning to his side, Harold quietly listened in on their conversation as Lisa chuckled.

“But thank god we won’t see that kind of weather here in Seattle,” said Lisa and they both laughed.

“More tea, Frank?”

“Sounds good.”

Harold enjoyed listening to the jovial companionship between his best friends and was even half tempted to get out and join them if their laughter hadn’t felt so soothing. Frank had been gone for long spouts this last month but Harold didn’t miss him much while he had the love of Lisa.

“I’ve noticed you’ve started pulling yourself away from Harold,” Frank stated. Suddenly, Harold was fully alert to their conversation. Lisa took her time before answering. The silence was unnerving.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Frank.”

Harold tried to let her response ease his concern, but her hesitation in answering still laid heavily on his thoughts.

“I think you should probably leave,” Lisa suggested.

“Yeah, you’re probably right. Just … you know, if you need someone to talk to, I’m here for you.”

“Sure Frank, of course.”

Harold lay in bed, stiff with worry, but what was he thinking, they loved each other, right? With the movement in the kitchen he knew they were saying their goodbyes. Lisa’s cat found his way onto the bed and under the covers, rubbing against Harold’s feet. It was a sure sign that Lisa was returning.

Pulling the covers back up and rolling on his side, Harold feigned sleep. When Lisa entered the room she came into bed and wrapped her arms around him, holding him. Almost as if she were intentionally comforting him, but when he woke in the morning she had already left.

***

Harold kept quiet most of his life, but even those with the most reclusive personalities have friends. Harold had two who were also his best friends since his youth and that was more than enough for him. He lived quite simply, as most people do; going to work day after day, taking care of daily chores, and maintaining a healthy composure. All the same, he didn't have a TV in his home and kept a minimal social life.

There was Frank, a tough guy and protector of sorts. As a kid Harold had always been beaten up and picked on by the other kids. Harold met Frank when he was in the fourth grade. During recess Harold had been attacked by three older girls from the sixth grade and shoved into the girl’s locker room. Frank, a sixth grader as well, was there when Harold had been dragged in. He had been sneaking around, cool as usual, and everything Harold wanted to be. Frank was always relaxed, always doing what he wanted to do, and well liked by everyone. At least, he seemed to be from Harold's point of view.

When Frank saw Harold he came to his rescue. He pushed the girls down and even hit the bigger girl with his fist. They had yelled and complained that boys shouldn’t hit girls, but Frank knew when people were just being bad people. Frank fought for justice and both boys quickly formed a tight relationship.

Lisa came later in Harold’s life. She was beautiful and both boys took quite an interest. Unfortunately for Frank, he was never in the same league as them even after he was held back a couple years. As it was, Harold and Lisa were both in the same science classes and together they joined the high school band. Surprisingly, as beautiful as Lisa was, she was very much a loner as well.

They also both shared the experience of being picked on by the other kids. It was because they shared so much that she chose Harold. Frank was always there to protect both of them, whenever he could be. Since Frank tended to ditch class, the three of them would become inseparable.

Tonight, Harold was waiting for Lisa in his home. She was late again, as had consistently been the case this entire month. He had his job and she had hers. At six o'clock in the evening they would usually meet up and spend time together, but as of this last month she was no longer around. The clocked ticked while he waited and her fat tabby stretched and purred on the couch, saving Lisa’s favorite spot.

The cat was outrageously large and it always seemed to stare and follow Harold with its black beady eyes, threatening him.

“I own this house,” it seemed to say, “and I own you.”

The cat was a menace and gained weight like a pig. Harold could not understand Lisa’s love for it and was disgusted by its intrusion into his world. It reminded him of the bullies from his school years. The tabby was Lisa’s love, though, and due to Harold’s love for Lisa he helped her take care of the cat. She may not have been home but as the clock struck six he stood up and did what he always did, feed the cat. It was his way to show Lisa he still loved her.

***

While taking a shower he heard the front door open and close. Lisa’s home! He immediately turned off his shower and walked to the bedroom. She wasn’t in here and he was about to head back when he saw movement in the mirror across from the bed.

“Frank,” Harold said, surprised to see Frank's reflection in the mirror standing in the doorway.

“Hi Harold, you still haven’t seen Lisa?”

“No, have you?”

Frank stood there refusing to answer.

“That’s fine Frank, you’re my best friend and I could never hate you…”

“You know that, don’t you, Frank?”

Frank blankly stared at Harold.

“I know, Harold. Lisa’s just,” he hesitated, “you know she loves you. Look, Harold, I can only take care of you as much as you will let me.”

Finishing with that, Frank turned away and left. Eventually, Harold walked from the mirror, put on his pajamas and went to bed.

***

It was two in the morning and from within the grogginess of sleep Harold heard an unsettling sound reverberating in the distance. Lisa was here. The room was pitch black, but he could smell her perfume. It was this smell which drove him to wake up. He could follow the scent from a mile away. His mother had also worn that perfume and the fragrance brought with it many memories. It awakened his senses and he focused on the shadowy figure.

She was rummaging through the dresser.

“Lisa,” he said, “Lisa, it’s so good to see you…” hesitating, “I’m just so glad you’re home.”

She refused to stop. As his eyes adjusted he saw she was loading up a bag.

“What are you doing?”

She didn’t respond.

“Look Lisa, I don’t know what’s happening here, I don’t know why you never speak with me or why we never see each other anymore, but you should know,” he took a deep breath, “you should always know, I love you Lisa.”

She halted, but for only an instant, shut her bag, then whispered, “I’ll see you later Harold,” and rushed out of the bedroom. He thrust aside the blankets and ran to catch Lisa before she left.

“Wait!”

Harold shouted at her but she was already making her way out the front door. By the time he got there and stepped outside, she was already gone. Harold stayed awake the rest of the night. That following morning he found the tabby sleeping at the edge of the bed.

“Shoo! You lousy animal,” he shouted as he kicked the cat off.

It stumbled awake, crawled down off the bed and stretched its body. Harold watched the entire movement. Wicked creature, he thought. With the morning sun shining through the window he decided it was time to get ready for work. Fumbling through the dresser, piece by piece, everything appeared to mostly be in its original spot. Only one thing seemed to have disappeared, her black skirt.

***

It had been two days since Harold last saw Lisa and every evening he sat in the kitchen, waiting while the clock chimed. On the third day it had grown windy outside, winter was coming strong this year. He stared out the window, mesmerized by the tick tick of the wall clock and the swirling of the windmill. The evening seemed to pass quite silently as usual. Sighing, he looked up from the window and turned to look into the hallway.

The hallway created a bridge between the living room and the kitchen. It had become an area of convenience. The corner wall, which connected to both end walls from the kitchen and the living room, had become a bit of a pocket for miscellaneous items. A littering of shoes used by Harold and Lisa, the cat’s food and water bowl (which, Harold noted was out of food and promptly reminded himself to feed that darn Tabby, When was the last time?), and a long stand alone mirror catty-corner to the living room and kitchen.

Frank! He could see Frank sitting on a chair hidden behind the wall in the hallway, looking straight at Harold via the mirror.

“How long have you been there?” Harold asked and as normal, Frank didn’t react. After a moment's silence he finally responded.

“I’ve been here every night Harold, watching over you, making sure that you didn’t do anything stupid.”

Frank had always been very stealthy. Sneaking up on Harold had been one of their past times, however, right now Harold wasn’t up for playing games.

“What do you want, Frank? I don’t need you protecting me all the time.”

Frank shrugged, “I’ve talked with Lisa.”

Harold slumped into his chair and said, “I should tell you I saw her a few nights ago, as well.”

Frank nodded his understanding, “I think it’s time to say goodbye to her Harold. I think you need to let her go.”

This only infuriated Harold, “You know nothing about love. You don’t know her and you certainly don’t know me!”

He yelled as he pounded his fist onto the table. Refusing to leave the window, Harold bore his head against it.

“You want to know what I think, Frank? I think it’s time you leave. I think it’s time you get on outta my life. Lisa will be back, she…” breathing raggedly, “she’ll be back, Frank, she loves me and she just needs a break. She’ll be back.”

He continued to stare out the window and watched the windmill spin. When he turned around and looked back, Frank