Penny

Armando sat on the terrace of his tiny apartment. Watching the traffic on the avenue while he sipped his can of beer. He didn't have to work the next day and thought he should go out tonight. But, alas, he mourned his former lover. She wasn't dead- just gone from him. More often since she met a rich friend. They weren't committed to each other, but he hated her being gone and the rich friend made him jealous and sometimes disgusted. While he didn't love her- even if he did- what kind of life could he give her on his waiter's salary.

He phoned every night this week, but the phone just rang. He decided to have his dignity tonight and not call. But his apartment was hot and he had no new books from the library to occupy his time. He sipped his beer and sighed. He hadn't noticed how much time had drifted by and was late to notice the tiny eyes watching him from the shrubs. A modest meow came from a tiny cat. It sounded as if it were unsure it could do it. In his excitement he leaned forward in his chair to beckon the little cat. But the sudden movement scared the feline who retreated to the bushes. Dejected by its departure, but desperate for a new friend, Armando made haste to his cupboard. Pushing past cans of beans and jars of rice until finding a small can of sardines in the back.

Aha! He thought. What cat can resist sardines? He hurried back to the terrace and laid the can a few inches away from where he saw the little kitten. He sat back in his chair and waited. A few minutes passed. A slight rustle of the leaves towards the bottom of the bush and a little grey and white head popped out. Armando's heart fluttered and he wanted nothing more than to befriend the little cat. Whose sweetness and youth made him want to care for her. The cat-who he presumed to be female crouched low to the ground and took two steps towards the can of sardines. Armando sat painfully still and breathed shallowly, trying hard not to make eye contact and scare the little creature again. The kitty descended upon the can and ate greedily- while every so often sneaking peaks at Armando-who sat frozen- not wanting to sip his beer, light a cigarette, or answer the phone he thought he heard faintly ring inside.

When he finally moved, the kitten once again retreated to the bushes. Armando returned to the kitchen and peered through the window. The little cat cautiously returned to the can and after having its filly slowly wandered over and sat under Armando's chair. So, little she was, barely the size of a loaf of bread. A tabby with a white triangle on her chest. And four tiny white paws. She looked up at Armando and stared. Her eyes were intently watching him, but her face was relaxed. Armando could see a streak of wildness and a hint of mischief and knew this was a special cat. Armando thought of what to do? Would the little cat like to come inside? The gentle opening of the door was enough to send the baby cat back to the bushes. Armando sat down- cross legged, propping the door open. Silently willing the young thing to come inside.

An hour passed. The cat lay Spinx like, slowly blinking at Armando. He thought of grabbing her and holding her like a small child. But the feline was certainly faster than him. Who in the seated position would never reach the cat before she fled. He was forced to stare at the sweet thing - what he wanted most, now just a foot away.

The traffic on the avenue was dying down. It must have been late he said aloud to the cat - who was now squinty eyed and having trouble staying awake. Just then the phone rang and with the door being propped open and the old model land line- the ring was loud. In an instant the cat was gone! Into the bushes again. Armando was furious! Storming into the kitchen- he gripped the telephone fiercely and ripped the telephone right out of the wall. He quickly deposited it into the corner with more force than necessary. And returned to the window to look for the cat. An hour by- and then two, but no kitty. Tired and sad Armando turned to bed.

Armando woke and went about his normal routine the next day. Making breakfast, washing the dishes, looking over the classifieds, but out of the corner of his eye- he kept watched for the cat. Morning slipped to afternoon and Armando was still alone. Dejected, Armando- hands in his pockets- slowly walking the three blocks to the telephone repair shop. The man gruffly said he could come by in two days. Armando lost in his thoughts, wandered to the edge of town- watching the sun set over the bay- still thinking of the sweet, innocent tabby.

Work the next day loomed over his thoughts as he walked home. Seeing the park where he picnicked with his lover made him think of her. For the first time in hours or even a whole day! No fretting over her likeness in his mind. Wondering where? Waiting to hear her voice, to smell her perfume. He panicked at the thought of not being able to contact her. What to do? No phone to call. He wouldn't dare go to her mother's house where she lived. Showing up at her rich friend's place would certainly start a rivalry that Armando had little appetite for. Armando- troubled by his situation Armando walked slowly and solemnly home. Turning onto his street- which was silent and still in the evening twilight. When all of the sudden a faint sound came across his ear.

"Meow, Meeooow!"

Armando shed his cloak of despair and turning the corner saw his little cat sitting under the chair where she had been the night before! With the joy of a child, Armando rushed toward the cat. Her slight cower reminded Armando to regain his composure. Mindfully, stepping onto the terrace now just a few feet from the cat. The feline now wore a playful expression - and to Armando's delight-flopped right onto her side! Armando slowly lowered to one knee- reached up his hand mere inches from the baby cat- who sniffed the air around his outstretched hand. As he stood, she backed away but returned gleefully when Armando returned from inside the house and presented the remains of the sardines from the night before.

They spent the rest of the night on the small terrace, quietly enjoying each other's presence. Getting close to mid-night, Armando, who was very poor and who had few possessions, took his old lover's scarf and folded it ever so neatly and placed it under the chair. He expressed his affection for the little stray cat and bid it goodnight. Watching from the window-with just a single candle burning from his table. Armando watched the little cat wander over and turn in circles twice, before laying down into a little ball on top of the scarf.

Armando slept better than he had in months. He sprang out of bed at the crack of dawn and looked out his window. Not seeing the kitten- he opened the door. Looking left, then right, hands on hips, scouring the bushes and the street. No signs of the cat. Armando got himself dressed for his shift at the cafe, but before heading in, he briskly walked to the corner market, purchasing a small bag of cat kibble- and a couple cans of sardines. Placing a scoop of food and a small dish of water- Armando went to work. Armando's cafe was busy that day and getting off later in the afternoon than normal aggravated him. He marched home thinking only of beer and the baby cat. Walking down the sidewalk a short distance from home Armando spotted - outside a tavern- the brother of his lover. He stood, leaned against a light pole, coolly smoking a cigarette, looking Armando's direction. Armando, annoyed at the sight of him, tried to walk by with a simple greeting.

No dice, as the brother flicked his cigarette butt into the street and asked about his sister.

"I don't know how she is," Armando said. "My phone is broken and I haven't seen her." He continued.

"Hmm" the brother grunted with a slight smile. Armando knew the brother knew about the rich friend - as did others- and was angered at being on the losing end. Aggravated, annoyed and angered, Armando retreated to his apartment. No cat. "God-dammit!" Armando snapped. Losing his temper. Regaining his composure-he reached for a beer and sat rather still on his porch. Glaring at the food and water dish, which remained unchanged. Armando, stepping inside to retrieve his third beer, nearly dropped it after seeing the tiny little cat through the window! That night and the one that followed- the routine was the same.

Armando's phone got fixed. He didn't bother to call his lover- or answer the phone when it rang. He spent his time waiting tables at the cafe and sitting on the terrace with the little cat- who now accepted pets- and took naps inside his tiny apartment. Armando was quite satisfied with the arrangement. One sunny afternoon his lover showed up. He saw her pretentiously walk right up the path and knock on his door. She smoked and wore a summer dress, blue and white- with heels. The pair that had been in the display window of the boutique on the square. She mentioned on the way home from their last picnic how beautiful they were. Her freshly cut bob and gold hoop earrings bounced as she puffed her cigarette and waited for his reply.

"Hello, stranger." She said as he answered the door.

"Cecila." Was all he could say.

"I called, but no answer- so I had to drop by." She continued.

"My phone broke and I've been busy." Armando stammered. Not quite prepared for this moment.

"Besides, you have your rich friend to spend time with." He said bitterly. A sudden anger getting the best of him.

"I love you, Armando." She said sincerely.

"Our time apart has shown me that."

Her words- a month late. Those words a short time ago would have changed Armando's world. He now cringed when he heard them. Shaking his head and with pain in his heart he said, "I don't love you anymore, Cecilia." "Maybe I never did."

She slapped his face immediately and demanded to know the whore's name!

"Penny," he said.

"Penny!" she sneered.

But Armando continued over her fury.

"And she's taught me more about love, patience, and loyalty in three weeks than a lifetime of your love ever could!

Armando's intense sincerity silenced the beautiful Cecila. She began to sob gently. She turned, walking down the path with her head down and without any of the swagger she showed up with. Armando gently closed the door and went to the window - to wait for Penny.