The Year the Cat Saved Christmas - a novella by Barbara Bretton Page B

it was cause for celebration.
    A blue jay darted overhead, swooping down low
enough so Sebastian could make out the markings on his throat and
belly. He considered taking a halfhearted swipe at him with a paw
but then thought better of it. It was Christmas Eve, after all, and
contrary to public opinion, cats had a kind and loving nature, even
when it came to birds.
    His humans were about to make the biggest
mistake humans could make and it seemed to Sebastian that he was
the only one who knew it. He'd been there for them when they
thought they'd never have babies. Many a tear had fallen onto his
thick fur but he had kept their sorrows to himself. And later, when
the babies finally came and brought with them turmoil and change,
his people remembered the nights Sebastian had kept their secrets
and loved him all the more for that. They were a family, after all,
the whole lot of them: humans and cat, dog and bird.
    Sebastian didn't much like getting older but
knowing the family would be together after he was gone made him
feel better about the whole thing.
    Now he didn't even have that to hold onto
anymore.
    A lesser cat, one of those sniveling Siamese
or overbred Abyssinians, might throw in the towel but not
Sebastian. No Maine coon worth his salt would give up without a
fight. He was descended from fine stock, from the great cats
Deuteronomy and Checquers, strong and sturdy cats with broad backs
meant to carry burdens.
    But what good was fighting if you didn't
choose your battle well?
    The cottage was still calling to him, so loud
he could barely hear himself think.
    He had to get there, had to bring his people
home if they were to have a chance at a happy ending.
    Family was worth fighting for. People didn't
think cats understood that but they were wrong. As far as Sebastian
could see, it was the humans who needed to be reminded.
    And what better place to be reminded than the
cottage on Burnt Sugar Hill where it all began?
     
     
    #
     
     
    Christmas Eve cheer had hit Main Street full
force. Lights twinkled everywhere. Holly and poinsettia festooned
store widows. Carolers from the high school were gathered in the
town square by the gazebo and the merry sounds of Jingle Bells and
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer filled the air.
    "New outfits," David commented as they waved
to Mrs. Palumbo, the chorus leader. "Looks like the fundraiser was
a success."
    "I'm glad they picked the red jackets," Jill
said. "The green was too dreary."
    Both she and David had donated their time and
money to the cause.
    "Hi, Jill. Hi, David." Carol Bonnier from the
Greg's Grocery waved to them from across the street. "Merry
Christmas!"
    "Merry Christmas," Jill called out and David
echoed the sentiment.
    "Glad to see you two together!"
    Jill had never realized the woman had the
lung power of a prize-winning hog caller. She cringed as passersby
took notice of the conversation. "I knew that divorce nonsense
wouldn't last," Carol bellowed. "You two are made for each
other."
    Jill and David exchanged glances.
    "I gave Sebastian some chicken when he popped
by the market," she continued at full bellow. "Hope you don't
mind."
    They were across the street in a flash.
    "You saw Sebastian?" Jill demanded of the
bewildered woman. "Where? When?"
    "At the market. Maybe an hour ago." Carol
thought for a moment. "It must have been around lunchtime. I
brought some leftover chicken with me and all of a sudden there
Sebastian was, begging."
    "Where did he go after he left the market?"
David asked.
    "He ate the chicken then turned around and
waltzed back out the door same way he came in. Marge at the
hardware store mentioned seeing him too but--wait, you two! I want
to hear about the reconciliation!"
    They tore down the street and burst into
Foster Hardware.
    "I don't believe my eyes!" Marge, the owner,
let out a whoop of delight. "You're back together again."
    "Sebastian," Jill said, her cheeks flaming.
"Have you seen him?"
    "Oh sure I have, honey. He shared my