by Patricia Fry
“And the cinnamon bun…” Savannah said, her eyes wide, “…and the chicken pot pie… Luke, was that you?” she asked looking sideways at him.
When Luke seemed to withdraw into himself, Michael let out a sigh, then took another bite of his hamburger and sipped iced tea through his straw, his eyes keenly on the young man. “How did you become…homeless, Luke?”
“I’m an orphan,” he said. “My dad died in the war and my mother died of cancer. She homeschooled me and my brothers. When Mom died, we went to live with our grandparents and they enrolled us in school.” He became agitated. “I didn’t want to go. I knew it would be awful—all those kids who don’t understand me; even my brothers don’t understand me, not like Kira does. My grandmother told me it was for my own good—in my best interest—so I tried it and…” he got more and more worked up. “It was awful,” he said, almost hyperventilating.
Savannah put her hand on his arm. “It’s okay, Luke. I understand.”
But he wanted to keep talking. “One day I packed my backpack with some of my clothes, toothbrush, and everything I’d saved in my coin bank—$53.00—and I left town. I didn’t know where I’d go or how I’d get there. When a nursery truck pulled up near where I was walking, I climbed under the tarp in the back with a big old tree and I ended up here in Hammond.” Just then, Luke saw Rick come out of the recovery room. He jumped up. “How is she?” he asked eagerly.
Rick smiled. “She’s holding her own. Her breathing and heart rate are almost normal.”
“Can I see her?” he asked, looking at Michael, then Rick.
Michael nodded. “Let’s go. I think it’ll be comforting for her to know you’re near.”
“I hope so,” he said. “Can I stay with her tonight? I don’t want her to be alone.”
“She won’t be alone,” Michael insisted. “Someone will be with her all night. But yes, you can stay, too, if you’d like. We have a couple of cots here for sleepovers.”
After walking back to the recovery room with the boy and checking Sunbeam over again, Michael said, “Luke, I think we’d better get Kira home. Here’s my cell number if you need anything.”
The boy gave Michael a blank stare, saying, “But…I…I don’t have a phone.”
“There are phones all over this office. Just use one of them, if you need to. Rick or someone else will stay tonight, so I’m sure you’ll be just fine. I’ll come back first thing in the morning.” He cocked his head. “You’ll still be here, won’t you?”
Luke nodded. “Yes, I won’t leave Sunbeam, except…”
When Michael noticed a worried look on Luke’s face, he asked, “Except what, Luke?”
“I need to feed the other cats. Last night I found enough food to feed them for a whole day. I gave them part of it this morning, but they’re probably hungry again.”
“What other cats? The cats in the colony where you found Sunbeam? You’re trying to take care of them, too? How many cats are there?” Michael asked as they stepped out of the recovery room together.
“Nine.” He creased his brow. “Two, I think, are about to have kittens.”
“Oh dear,” Savannah said, having overheard the conversation. “Tell us where they are; we’ll take care of them.”
“Not too far from my home.”
“Your home? You mean the trailer?” Michael asked.
He nodded. “In that stand of trees. Kira knows; she can show you.”
Michael shook his head. “Luke, how can you afford to buy cat food, for heaven’s sake?”
“I find food for them in trash cans. Sometimes the neighborhood cats’ food gets ants. When the ants leave it, I clean the food off and give it to my cats. I sell my flutes and use that money to buy food for them sometimes. Once, the guy at the grocery store let me have a box that had broke open.”
Michael looked at Luke for a moment, ran his hand through his hair, and said, “I’m curious about something.”
“What?” Luke asked hesitantly.
“Did you use some of my tools? I imagine it was you who used my vise for making your flutes. I found a piece of sandpaper that isn’t mine.”
The boy lowered his head. “You live where the horse is, right?” He glanced at Rags who walked around Kira’s feet at the end of his leash. “I’ve seen your cat in the window.” He then nodded. “I put everything back where I found it. I only borrowed things.” He tilted his head and asked, “How did you know?”
Michael grinned. “You thought you were being cagey, huh? You didn’t think we’d notice the sawdust on the floor or that tools were missing?”
Before the boy could answer, Savannah put her hand on his arm. “Luke, would you like help with those cats? We know someone who can take real good care of them.”
“No,” he spat. “They’re my cats. They know me—no one else. They’re happy living where they are. They don’t want to be in cages.”
Feeling a little exasperated, Savannah responded, “Luke, there are no cages—not in the sense that you imagine. The woman I’m speaking of is a good friend of ours. She loves and respects cats as much as you do, and she has a lot of money that she uses to take care of them. She has a cat ranch—a ranch where cats can live free and safe and get all the food and care they need and want.”
“Really?” he asked. “You’re not just trying to get me to take them to a shelter where they’ll die of fright?”
“No, Luke,” Michael said. “Why don’t you go sit with Sunbeam? It’ll do her good to know you’re there. We’ll take care of your other kitties tonight; we’ll talk more tomorrow.”
But Savannah wasn’t ready to walk away from the discussion. “Once Sunbeam’s feeling better, Luke, how would you like to go with me to see the cat ranch?” When Luke hesitated, she said, “It’s called Ragsdale Cat Ranch.” She smiled and nodded toward Rags, who was now sniffing Luke’s shoe. “Named after Rags, there.”
“Wow!” he said, leaning over and petting Rags. “Well, okay, I’ll go with you to see the ranch.” He looked toward the recovery room. “…as soon as Sunbeam’s well.” He started to walk away. “And thank you for everything.” He stopped again and said, “Oh, one of the mama cats is Pearl. She might want you to pet her. I pet her every night when I feed her. The others won’t get close enough yet.” He stopped again. “She’s kinda white.”
“I can show you Pearl,” Kira said.
****
“Hello June. How are you?” Savannah asked into the phone later that evening.
“Hi Savannah, dear. Doing well. How’d the ceremony go? Nola and I wanted to be there, but we had a situation here at the cat ranch…something we had to take care of.”
“Nothing serious, I hope.”
“Oh no. But when you have as many children as we have, and you’re dealing with as many volunteers and employees, there’s often a crisis. We’re all back to normal. Things couldn’t be better. So did Ragsdale get his award?”
“He sure did. It was a lovely event. He stole the show…and an officer’s speech.”
“He gave a speech?”
“No, a police officer was there receiving an award and he held Rags because I was holding Lily, and Rags took the man’s speech notes out of his pocket.”
“Oh my, the little scamp,” June said, laughing. “He knows how to win the limelight, doesn’t he?”
Savannah was quiet, then said, “June, there was an accident after the event. A cat belonging to a friend of ours was hit by a car. She’s at the clinic now. We pray that she’ll survive.”
“Dear me. What was she doing in the street, Savannah? Who is the careless owner?”
“Well, that’s what I’m calling you about. He’s a young man who has claimed his independence from his family and he’s been in hiding—sort of squatting in an abandoned trailer near us. He survives by digging in trash bins. Oh, he’s also an artist of sorts and sells his work on the street.”
“Goodness. How old is this lad?”
“Oh no. How are the young man and his cat?”
“Luke has a few scrapes and bruises, but we’re not sure yet about Sunbeam. We can only pray at this point. Luke is staying with her at the clinic tonight. Dr. Rick is with them.”
“Nola and I will pray for her complete recovery. Is there anything else we can do?”
“Yes. Are you aware of the colony of cats west of us, in the stand of trees out behind the abandoned building at Maple and Sycamore?”
“No…no, I don’t know about them. Is anyone caring for them?”
“Well, since Sunbeam has the clipped ear, I’m guessing someone has worked with that colony in the past, or maybe this cat came from another area. At any rate, the colony seems to have been abandoned, except for the boy who begs, borrows, and steals, literally, to feed them.”
“Oh my. How many are in the colony?”
“Michael and I fed and watered them this evening and we counted nine. Luke said there are two that he thinks are pregnant; we saw one. I just hope the other one hasn’t given birth out there already. June, I told Luke about your facility and your expertise in caring for feral cats. I’d like to have you two meet and maybe discuss how he can help you gather these cats up and bring them to the ranch.”
“By all means, Savannah. That’s what we’re here for.”
“Good. Then as soon as Sunbeam is out of danger, I’ll bring Luke to meet you and maybe you two can work something out to save them.” Changing her tone, she said, “June, you sound good. How’s your health?”
“Savannah, I feel better than I have in years. I have such purpose. I’m out in the sunshine almost every day working among the cats. I may live to be 100 after all, and now I’m ready to welcome any extra time I might get.”
“That’s good to hear. How are your inside kitties—all of those beautiful souls?”
“Wonderful.” Her voice dropped when she said, “We lost Homer Homeboy, but that was to be expected. He was quite aged, you know. But the others are fabulous—even Mazie Mae is doing beautifully on the new medication Dr. Mike has prescribed. She may live out her full lifespan in relative health, after all.”
“That’s great news. Glad to hear it. And Nola…everything good with her?”
“Nola is a dear. She’s the daughter I never had.” She spoke more softly. “She has a beau, you know.”
“She does?”
“Yes, a young man who volunteers here. He’s a lawyer who has a heart for animals—especially cats. He has several of his own. He lost one that was twenty-two last year and he wanted to do something in her name. He found us, and he’s been volunteering here for a few months. They seem quite smitten with each other, Nola and Matt.”
“Well, that’s good to hear. So what happens if they marry and she moves off someplace with him?”
“Savannah, we take one day at a time around here. First, I don’t think she would do that. Second, we’re building a staff that can take over even if one of us isn’t here. I wanted it that way so if a cog is missing, the wheel turns anyway. Know what I mean?”
“Sure do. You’re a good businesswoman, June.”
“Well, I love the cats and want only what’s best for them. Oh, the dinner bell is ringing, better join the others. I look forward to your call, Savannah, and meeting this young man you speak of.”
****
“I’m leaving now, hon,” Michael said, joining Savannah and Lily in the nursery, around seven thirty the following morning. “Hi punkin,” he cooed, picking the baby up from the changing table. “How’s my girl?”
“No time for breakfast?” Savannah asked.
“I had a bowl of cereal. I’m fine.” He kissed Savannah, then Lily and stepped out of the room, only to return and ask, “What time’s your mom leaving today?”
“I think she’s catching a one-thirty flight in San Francisco,” she said, leading the way toward the kitchen. “So probably any time.” She stopped in the doorway. “Mom, up already?” she asked when she saw her rinsing out a few dishes.
Gladys turned. “Oh, Michael, you haven’t left yet. Good,” she said, drying her hands. She approached him with her arms open. “I want to say good-bye and thank you for everything.”
Michael enveloped her in a bear hug. “Thank you for making the trip up to see us. We always enjoy your visits.”
Gladys stood back and looked at her son-in-law. “What a nice thing to say.”
He smiled, then turned taking his usual long strides toward the door. “Safe travels,” he called over one shoulder.
Once he’d left, Savannah asked, “So are you all packed, Mom? Do you need any snacks to take with you?”
“All packed,” she said. “Yeah, I’ll take a granola bar and maybe a water bottle for the road.” She then picked up Lily and hugged her tightly. “I will miss you bunches. But it was so fun spending time with you this week. You are such a sweetie.”
“What do you want for breakfast?” Savannah asked.
“Oh, I had a glass of juice and a piece of toast. I’m fine.” She let out a sigh. “Well, I must get on the road. Good-bye, dear,” she said, hugging her daughter.
“’Bye, Mom. I’m so glad you came.”
“Me, too. Now you know it’s the same distance from my house to yours as it is from yours to mine.”
“Yes, I know,” Savannah said, chuckling. “We’ll make the trip again sometime soon.”
“Yes, soon.”
“Drive carefully, now,” Savannah called as she watched her mother enter the car and start to drive away.
“’Bye.”
Lily reached her little hand out and waved. “’Bye-bye.”
“Well, it’s just you and me, babe,” Savannah said, jostling the baby a little s she carried her back into the house. “What shall we have for breakfast? Want grapes, Cheerios, juice…?”
“Juice,” Lily said, leaning in the direction of the kitchen.
“Juice it is,” Savannah said, “…and grapes and Cheerios. Then we’ll get you a bath and put on your new outfit Grammy bought you.” Just as Savannah had strapped Lily into the high chair, her cell phone rang.
“Hi, hon. How’s Sunbeam?” she asked breathlessly, having rushed to get to her cell phone.
After hesitating, Michael said, his voice sounding strained, “Well, I don’t know.”
“What? Why?”
“Savannah, they’re gone.”
“What?”
“Yeah, Rick said the cat woke up in the night. Her vitals were good, but she was still weak. He monitored her for a while. When she seemed more stable, he dozed off and when he awoke again, Luke and Sunbeam were gone. He took one of the carriers we keep here.”
“Oh for heaven’s sake. That stupid kid. What’s he thinking?”
“I don’t know, but we’d better find him. Can you get someone to watch Lily? I’ll come by and pick you up in a few minutes.”
“Yes, meet me at my aunt’s. I’m pretty sure I can leave her there for a while.”
Chapter 6
****
Twenty minutes later, the Iveys drove slowly along Maple Street until Savannah pointed. “There’s the old building. I can see the trailer he mentioned behind it. But where is the hole in the fence?”
Michael let out a sigh. “If there even is a hole.” When Savannah looked confused, he said, “I’m not sure he told us the truth about where he’s been staying. I mean, it seems that he is on the run. He may have made that up to throw us off his trail.”
Wincing, she said, “Could be, darn it.”
“Let’s take a look, anyway,” he suggested, as he parked the car and climbed out.
After walking along the fence and peering in at the small trailer for a few minutes, Michael called, “Luke! Luke, are you in there?”
There was no response.
In the meantime, Savannah set out to walk the perimeter of the fence, looking for the opening Luke had described.
“Find anything?” Michael asked when he saw her stop.
“Not yet,” she said, stepping over shrubs and weed patches. She had examined one length of the fence and had rounded the corner, when she saw something. “Over here, Michael,” she called. As he approached, she pulled a bush back and revealed where someone had cut the fencing.
Michael grimaced. “That’s a small hole.”
“Yeah, a tight squeeze,” she agreed. “I think I can make it, through, though.”
He reached out. “Here, let me hold that flap open for you.” Once she managed to wriggle through the opening, she approached the trailer. “Luke!” she called. “Luke, it’s Savannah and Dr. Mike.” By then, Michael had slipped through the hole in the fence. When Savannah noticed him rubbing his leg, she asked, “What happened?”
“Caught my jeans on the dang fence,” he complained. He limped up to the trailer and rapped on the door. “Luke, are you in there?”
When they heard nothing, Savannah walked around the trailer, looking in all directions. In the meantime, Michael tried the door. “It’s open,” he said, stepping inside. “Yup, looks like someone’s been living here, all right.”
She quickly joined him. She glanced around the small space and chuckled. “There’s one of those funky harnesses he made for the cats, and some of his flutes.” Stepping back out, she looked around the area. “Hmmm, where would he take Sunbeam, if not here?” She quickly turned to Michael. “The cats. Do you suppose he’s with the feral cats?”
“Let’s go,” he said, leading the way to the car.
“We could walk,” Savannah suggested. “It’s not far.”
Michael thought about it, then said, “Let’s drive.”
“There he is. Oh no, Luke, don’t run,” she said under her breath when she saw the look of panic on the boy’s face. “Please don’t run.”
