reciproCATion

"Trevor!" my mother yelled out of nowhere. I was playing with my stuffed Pokemon in my room, considering I was grounded from any video games, including my GameBoy. Currently I was battling with my Charizard against a wild Snorlax. I was just about to catch it when my dear mother called.

Without leaving my spot, I shouted back: "Yes, mom. What is it?" I really wanted to catch this wild Snorlax. He literally has no health points left and my Charizard was getting tired by the second. I needed to get this Pokemon.

Just when I was about to throw my plastic Pokeball, my mother shouted: "Trevor, come!"

Agitated, I yelled back before I gave the Pokemon my attention: "What is it, mom? I'm busy getting this Pokemon right now!" I stuck out my tongue as I was aiming at Snorlax's forehead. This Pokemon will be a great addition to my team and there is no way, I'm going to stop anything to get him, even if someone like my mother calls out just my name without any reason.

As I was about to throw at Snorlax, my mother goes: "Trevor, come here! NOW!"

"ARG, fine. Coming!" I shouted back. "This better be important," I said under my breath. I will have to pause on catching this Snorlax. Hopefully it doesn't get away.

I got out of my bedroom and went down the hall to where my mother was at. She has been waiting for me so I can take a good look at what she was seeing. From the patio window and screen door, we both can see Mute gathering up some kills. There were a couple of mice and one squirrel. He just pile the last of them as he then sat there when I finally arrived.

"See, Trevor, isn't there interesting?" asked my mother with a big smile on her face.

"More like disgusting." I replied while shaking my head. "I don't see any appeal in this and I'm surprised you ain't gross out about it."

"I was at first but then I start realizing that Mute is out there in light rain, gathering up some peace offerings for each of us."

"Peace offerings?"

"Yes, peace offerings to show gratitude and reciprocation. After all what we have done for him.

"Mom, I know what peace offering means. I'm just questioning why a dead couple of mice and a squirrel would be as such."

"Well, Trevor, you have to understand that animals do things quite differently than what us humans can. We can practically do anything for them in many variety of ways while they can only do things to their capabilities."

"Yeah, yeah, I think I got it, mom," I responded to her.

I seriously don't get why both my parents are so obsessed with this cat. For the past month, it's always been: "oh, look what Mute did just now!" or "Mute is such a great cat you could ever ask for!" Granted, that would have been me constantly if we had a dog by which I wanted but here we are anyways with a cat I don't care too much about.

I did however continue on by saying: "I'm not asking for that cat to make a gourmet, but he could at least get my baseball down from the roof if he wants to be helpful."

"Now, Trevor, aren't you being a little harsh to Mute," my mother said while placing her hands on her knees. "He's here because he needed a home and he has been showing nothing but kindness to you ever since. Maybe you can learn a thing or two from this cat."

"Yeah, a cat that is supposed to be some kind of recuse one turns out to be the most laziest and useless cat ever!" I shouted, hoping Mute would hear. By which, he did and I could see his ears drooping after what I said through the patio.

"Trevor Anthony Bluestill, how could you say such heartless things to a kind soul!?"

"Mom, he's a cat."

"So? Would you say the same thing if it were a dog. A dog that you always wanted."

"Well, no cause dogs are very useful and more active."

"Cats can be the same thing, honey. Sometimes even more. However, you do need to realize that all creatures have feelings. You can't go around and say that cats are useless. When most know that it is not true. Some are lazy, yes but not this cat we have here. Mute is one of a kind and he's part of the family, whether you want to see it or not."

"Yeah, okay, are we done here?" I asked impatiently. I had a Snorlax to catch after all.

"Not until you go out there and apologize to Mute," my mother says.

"You serious?"

"Yes, I am, Trevor. You get your butt out there and say that you are sorry for calling Mute such names," she said all of this as she pointed her pointer finger towards the patio way.

I scoffed and said: "Fine! I'll go say I'm sorry to the cat." Over the past month, I never once called Mute by his name. I still don't see what the attachment towards this cat was. Dogs, I will get them, but cats are just what I relatively don't. What makes people drive to cats that a dog can, ten times fold? Is it the memes? Cause I tend to like dog memes more funny than the average cat memes but that's just me personally.

As I approach the patio door, Mute's ears perked up as if he was excited to see me. This cat is strange at times.

I crouched down to Mute's level and say: "I'm sorry."

"For?" my mother shouted out wanting me to explain my apology for the dang cat.

I took a breath and said: "I'm sorry for calling you the most laziest and useless cat. You are more than that, and I thank you too for the peace offering."

After the apology, Mute gave me a leg rub right there and then. Even my mom goes: "Awww, would you look at that!? Mute is accepting your apology."

Before I knew it, my mom grabbed her phone and took a picture of the moment. "This is definitely going to the archives," my mother gleefully said.

I gave the cat a head scratch just so my mom doesn't ask me to pet it. I still don't see the fascination about this cat. Maybe one day I will but who knows. I'm still a dog person after all, even for a ten year old.