Chapter 3The Cat Who Saved Me

Leo wasn't very old. I'd asked Jay about his age, but he'd been evasive. We only got an estimate from the vet when he went in to get neutered. He was about a year old now, but he was already a solid ten pounds, his face as round as a dinner plate.

I remembered when I first met him. He was a tiny thing, maybe three months old. Jay had told me his ex never really liked cats. She'd just pretended to for the image, but she never took care of Leo, which is why he took him. Leo had been a scrawny little kitten. Now, the suction-cup bed on the window groaned under his weight.

The next day was Saturday. I woke up unusually early and the first thing I did was look for Leo. Sure enough, he was sunbathing in his window perch. Hearing me move, he looked over, then trotted toward me.

Stepmom, cat hungry.

A huge grin spread across my face. Oh my god, I could actually hear my cat's thoughts. It was the most amazing, frustrating thing in the world. I desperately wanted to tell everyone, especially that jerk Jay.

But first things first.

"Leo, didn't Mommy tell you? I'm your real mom. Stop calling me Stepmom."

Leo tilted his head. Mom?

"That's right! Mommy's good boy!" I scooped him up and covered him in kisses, then popped open a can of his favorite food.

"It's a beautiful day. You want to go outside and play?"

Leo was already devouring his food, but he managed to answer between noisy chomps. Yay! Go outside!