Earl's Night Out

         Earl left the house that spring night feeling very good about himself. He knew he was handsome, even gorgeous wouldn't be too much to say. A magnificent specimen, wouldn't be an exaggeration. The night was young and he had things to do, rounds to make.

         He could not look hurried. Be cool, that was the thing. All his senses were alive, looking for what adventures might await. He could smell excitement in the air. First he would visit some places and see who was around tonight. Catch up on the news and then go and see Jenny. She was likely to be out tonight and she was well worth looking up. His step quickened, just thinking of her. First stop was a favorite gathering place. He looked around. Jenny wasn't there and he sensed she had not been there tonight.

         He exchanged some pleasantries with the ones who were there and moved on. Next he went to the place they called The Barn . There was usually some excitement there. Of course, some of the ones who habituated The Barn could only be called rats, riffraff. He liked it that these lowlifes feared him. They had reason to fear him and they knew it, They cowered away from him. They had seen what he could do and didn't want to see again.

         He wasn't interested in getting into a fight. He was looking for Jenny. Where could she be? A couple of other places to look. The night was still young. If only Sandra didn't come looking for him. She was all right, but for excitement he wanted Jenny. Sandra took care of him, maintained his home and made sure his meals were on time and all that, but she was dull. For fun on a fine moonlit night he wanted Jenny. Sandra would fuss at him for sneaking out and making her worry. She hated when he stayed out all night. She didn't know about Jenny.

         That was when he heard her voice. Drat! Sandra had found him. She was calling him. The whole neighborhood could hear her. She always had to embarrass him like this.

         He hadn't found Jenny, but it was getting chilly. He might as well head home. He walked in the door to confront Sandra.

         Brazen it out, that's the ticket, he told himself. She isn't the boss of me. Sure she lived in his house and that was fine. She served him well having his gourmet meals ready, cleaning up after him and being willing to lavish affection on him when he wanted it. She accepted his cold shoulder when he did not want affection. All in all she was a good companion, just ~~ dull. Probably not her fault.

         He strolled into the house and ignored Sandra's nagging voice. "Get in here you naughty boy! You know I don't want you out at night getting in fights and maybe getting run over. You are a naughty cat do you know that?"

         Earl jumped up on the couch. He yawned a languorous feline yawn and licked his whiskers. He tucked in his paws and closed his eyes. Sandra was only human and she couldn't understand the life of a fine handsome cat like himself.

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