The gray and white cat lounges across one of the great Wolf’s paws. She yawns delicately, eyes closed and pink tongue extended.
The Wolf chuckles, a deep rumble in his chest.
“Bored, dear one?”
Chloe giggles. “No,” and another yawn, this one a small one, escapes her pretty mouth. “Just a bit tired from all the play today.” Her small white chin settles even more firmly on the dark paw. She blinks at a blade of grass.
“Where did you go?” and he nuzzles the top of her sleek little head.
“I was running with Jasper this morning, and then we all climbed the Tree, and Peaches showed me the hedge rows, and Baxter and I chased Suede and Farley and Julie around the Meadow and then we all napped under the Tree and we played with the fishes…”
“And that’s all?” He smiles down at his little friend.
“Oh, no, there was so much more stuff!”
“And a lot more friends?”
“So many I can’t count,” and she sighs with pure joy.
“And you remember how you came here?”
The small head bobs in agreement. “My mama kissed me and I played, and then I fell asleep under the bed, and when I opened my eyes, you were calling my name, and I met The Kitten Pack and the Siamese Patrol, and oh, Wolf, everyone!”
“And what else?” He waits patiently.
The little cat thinks very hard, eyes squeezed shut in concentration. Then her eyelids pop open with excitement.
“Yes! You said my mama will come for me in a while! My mama! I will see my mama! Oh, Wolf,” and the soft voice changes. “I miss her!”
The Wolf hugs Chloe softly and she rubs her head against his cheek. “And I know she misses her sweet Chloe, but you will see each other in good time, dear friend.”
Chloe nods happily, sighs deeply, and once again the small chin descends. Chloe falls asleep in the tender embrace of the great Wolf.
Safe, happy, warm, she rests for this moment with her dear friend. Chloe waits in the Meadow for her darling mama, loved beyond all imagining.