Friday Night

It was Friday night in San Kata and Bug was on her way to the now famous Writer's Paw. It was "the" in place for all of San Kata's aspiring artists, writers, and musicians, as well as an odd assortment of others, to hang out, and tonight was no different.

As Bug walked up the steps she thought of old One Ear. He had set on these very steps, writing in the beautiful journal which Bug's heroine, Little Hat, had given him. Who could ever have imagined that the scrawny, dirty old cat with one ear would turn out to be a real prince?

Bug entered the crowded, candle-lit room. Many of her friends were already there, and one of her favorite groups, Patty Cat and Jerry K, were playing. Patty Cat played great classical guitar, and there was nothing Bug liked better. Sometimes Jerry K joined him on the mandolin. Tonight there was a younger kitt with them playing the violin.

Bug found an empty table where she could sit and write, then went up to the bar where Bobcat and Katty and the twins were serving an assortment of drinks, sandwiches and frozen yogurt. Bug took a minute to look over the familiar menu, written on a large blackboard hanging on the wall. Did she want a hot or cold drink? A latte, a mocha, hot chocolate, a yummy Italian soda, a smoothie? She finally decided on Chai Tea, the latest popular drink. Hot Chai Tea with whipped cream sounded great on this cool Spring evening.

As Bug sat at the table writing, the sound of music, talk and laughter filled her ears. She closed her eyes and imagined she was in the beautiful ballroom in the Palace in Catuary, and that she was dancing with a handsome Prince. What must it have been like in those days, when the beautiful Princess was still alive, and all the cats had danced beneath the stars at the Midnight Moonlight Ball on Golden Lake?

“Hi, Sweetie, mind if I sit with you?” Bug opened her eyes with a start. It was her lovely Auntie Shibui, who was here visiting.

“Auntie Shibui! Of course, have a seat. Would you like something to drink? What are you doing here?” Bug was flustered.

“Oh, I just thought it would be nice to see where all you youngsters hang around. The Writer’s Paw is quite famous, mew know. And yes, I would love something to drink. What are you drinking, Dear?” Auntie Shibui smiled and asked.

“Oh, this is Chai Tea. It's the latest thing you know!”

“Well then, I must have some Chai Tea too.”

Bug ordered another Chai Tea with whipped cream for her Auntie, and as they waited for the order Shibui looked all around her. Her eyes lighted on One Ear’s journal, which was displayed in a glass case along one wall.

“What are you writing, Bug dear?” Auntie Shibui asked.

“Oh, um, just a short story about um…..”

“About a handsome Prince perhaps?” Auntie Shibui asked, with a twinkle in her eyes.

Bug blushed. “Mew. I would be perfectly happy with a handsome mancat just like Uncle Tucker,” said Bug, as she gave her Auntie a big hug. “But mew actually knew Prince Buddee and Princess Hemangi, didn’t you? You even attended the Midnight Moonlight Balls. Oh, do tell me all about them,” Bug begged.

Auntie Shibui sighed and smiled. “Perhaps one day I will. For now, I think we had better head on home. It looks like the Writer’s Paw is ready to close for the night.”

The two stood and walked out with the rest of the crowd, shouting goodbyes and waving as they went. Then, holding paws, they walked slowly home.



Word Count - 641 words