After reading a comment on a TikTok about a cat watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas, I decided to write a little story about it. Hopefully somebody likes it
The colors and words held no bearing to the black-and-white cat lounging in the miniature armchair next to the couch, but the patterns, the sounds, the memories were something else entirely. CareBear had watched this movie at least three times in as many days leading up to the holiday called Christmas. The humans had wondered his fascination with the cartoon, ultimately giving a good-natured roll of their eyes, calling it a quirk, or him an ‘odd kitty’. They meant well, but knew nothing. And as the Whos merrily prepared for their holiday, CareBear closed his eyes and let his mind wander to days gone by…
Marie Elizabeth Waller was five years old when she asked for a cat for Christmas. Her parents gave sneaky “we'll see what Santa brings” responses, until Christmas morning, when they brought out a beautifully-wrapped box that they'd sealed only minutes before. Marie had squealed with happiness as she tore away the wrapping paper and opened the lid to reveal the yet-unnamed CareBear. Lifting him from the box, she had cuddled him and planted kisses on his head. He had returned the gesture by nuzzling against her cheek and purring loudly. When asked what his name would be, she proudly proclaimed, “CareBear!”, inspired by a small heart-shaped spot on the cat's nose. Her parents humored her, calling it a good name, and watching with warm hearts as Marie and CareBear sat by the evergreen tree, decked in all manner of baubles and lights, while festive music played on a nearby radio.
From that day forward, the pair were nearly inseparable. Where one would go, the other wasn't far behind. Marie loved CareBear, and CareBear loved Marie. They played together, slept together, Marie even insisted the cat have a chair next to her during noon snack time. The only time CareBear really fussed was when the guardian called Mommy insisted that he needed a bath, telling Marie “he's getting stinky.” Offended, he'd immediately wriggled out of her grasp and hid under the couch. Only his Marie could coax him out and convince him to let Mommy wash him. She knelt by the tub, talking to him as he begrudgingly accepted the bathing.
Then one day, Marie had to leave, to go to ‘School’. As he watched from the window, Marie trudged through the snow with Mommy to wait for the Bus. Marie stepped inside the yellow thing, and it rumbled away down the street. Mommy told him that his Marie would be back, and so he sat to wait, keeping watchful vigil for his human. The cursed birds flitted about, the damnable squirrels scampered, and even the wretched dog across the street frolicked in the snow, but CareBear would not be deterred or distracted.
When he heard the rumble of the approaching Bus, he leapt from the windowsill, scrambling down the hall to meet Marie at the door, chattering and meowing happily as she came back to him. And so it went every day- Marie would go to School, and CareBear would wait until she returned. Mommy and Daddy shook their heads and murmured between themselves, saying they'd never seen such a loyal cat.
The months rolled by, the years passed, and CareBear was as faithful as ever to his Marie as she slowly grew up. However, one thing remained constant. Every Christmas, Marie would pull him into her lap and watch movies, especially one called “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”. It was a ‘cartoon’ with drawn brightly-colored animations and happy music. It meant nothing to the cat, the words and actions of the curmudgeonly Grinch and the jubilant Whos were just sounds. What held meaning though, was the time with Marie. She cuddled him close, petting him and scratching behind his ears. She'd kiss the top of his head and whisper “Merry Christmas, CareBear". And he'd close his eyes and purr contentedly.
Then came the night of the fire.
2087
germansingergirl
jbbartram-illu
titsay
janainaart
