It's Raining Cat - A Short Story

As raindrops fell on that spring afternoon, Ralph sat in his living room reading the newspaper, refusing to acknowledge the desperate pleas. The same ones he had been hearing outside his front door every day for the past two weeks.

"Meeooooow. Meeooooow. Meeooooow. Meeooooow."

He made the mistake on the first day by giving that stray cat a little leftover tuna. Now, the cat wouldn't leave him along.

"Meeooooow. Meeooooow. Meeooooow. Meeooooow."

Ralph couldn't take it anymore. He got up, opened the front door and addressed his tormentor.

"Whaddya think this is, a cat restaurant!?!? Scram!"

The cat looked up meekly and, realizing it was a lost cause, rambled off into the April shower with its tail between its legs.

Seeing that pathetic little cat walking away in the rain made Ralph even angrier.

"Now stop trying to make me feel guilty. It's not my fault you don't have any place to go."

Like the thundering skies above, Ralph stormed away and returned to his paper. But all he could think about was that darned cat.

"Doggone cat!"

He stomped back and opened the front door. Outside, he found the cat shivering and looking absolutely pathetic.

"All right, get in here."

The cat ran in gleefully, wiping itself off on Ralph's drapes, sofa - anything upon which it could dry itself. Ralph just rolled his eyes.

"Why don't you make yourself at home."

The cat ignored his sarcasm and continued frolicking.

"Suppose you're hungry, too."

"Meeooowww."

Ralph went to the kitchen and opened a can of tuna. He also poured a little milk in a bowl and set them both on the floor. The grateful cat devoured the feast.

After eating, the freeloader trotted back into the living room to join Ralph, who was once again immersed in the newspaper.

"Meeooowww."

Ralph peered over his paper as the cat jumped up into his recliner and lay next to him. He thought about tossing the cat back on the floor, but seeing the cat's hopeful eyes, he reconsidered.

"Don't make yourself too comfortable. When the rain stops, you're outta here."

Three hours later, the skies cleared (along with Ralph's memory, apparently). Because this story took place eight years ago, and Ralph and the cat are still together.