Aunt Marilda and Her Cat House

Aunt Marilda’s house and closet were full of felines of all types. long-haired, short-haired, tabbies, pumas, and mice-hunting snipes. we knew what we were inheriting when she passed on a rainy day. who is going to clean out those animals? Asked persnickety aunt Kay. there were live ones in addition to the ones on the chairs in the kitchen. my aunt was irritated about her hoarder sister, she could not stop ’n. six nieces and one nephew were not eager to stay for the show. there were three living sisters, and they were all “in the know”. Gladys took the closet, Stephanie and Yvetee cleaned out her stove. there surely is not a cat inside that! Said my uncle who hid in an alcove. they are everywhere! Said a niece who had brought along six live traps. she had already caught sixteen of them and said “maybe this is a wrap!” Aunt Marilda’s pots and pants, curtains, and shower stall all had cats. some sat on their plump oversized bottoms; some were chasing rats. one cat way up high hissed at everyone who came anywhere near. cat shoes were found in the closet. Steph yelled “Marilda is here!” we nieces and nephews were not sure exactly what she meant. until we began smelling cinnamon, cloves, and peppermint. popular scents of Aunt Marilda, her spirit must be quite near. uncle yelled at the cat “Marilda, get your petootsie down here!” Black cat jumped off the counter as if he had fallen from a nest. Leaped onto Uncle’s shirt and slid down, tearing up his chest. It’s Marilda all right! Uncle yelped. She always despised me. His sisters cackled like witches as they drank their orange tea.