The Fur Piece

When I was six or seven my mama had a friend, Who thought quite highly of herself and liked to play pretend. When she came over seemed to me she noticed everything, From a little dust here or there to condition of window screens. Mama shooed me and Smokey from the kitchen while she cleaned. Smokey went to her bedroom and climbed on her dresser to dream. Mama's friend came over, her nose high in the air. I thought she looked like a hound dog, sniffing for a hare. She ran her fingers along the sills, inspected the cup Mom proferred. She chatted about the things she owned, the places she had toured. She talked about her family line, her neighbors and her friends. Mama smiled and nodded, I sat there and grinned. They were going out that day to shop and see some sights. Mom left me with Sister and told us not to fight. She went into her bedroom to dress and fix her hair. You should have seen the lady's eyes as she spied him lying there. Smokey lay there very still, curled up in a ball. "What a beautiful fur piece! So lustrous, black and all! I want one just like it! I hope that you don't mind! Why everyone would envy such a piece so fine!" "Why it would go with anything! You must tell me where you got it! It really must have cost a bit!" then she reached out to touch it. Smokey stirred and stretched his frame and opened amber eyes. Her mouth fell open and she stared in startled, shocked surprise. "That's no fur piece, that's my cat!"I told her in indignance. I gathered him into my arms, the cat stared in indifference. It felt good to see her shock, her voice for once unheard. The only thing she thought to say was simply,"Oh My Word!" Mama laughed until she cried as she told Dad the story. Dad gave the cat a bit of fish and said,"Perhaps, 'bout him, we should worry."