Cat of the Century Read online

  Wonderful, Harry replied tensely.

  Forking over two hundred fifty dollars plus tax was eating at her.

  Terri, not one to keep her woes to herself, would fan the flames of any discontent if Harry had balked at payment. Harry loathed that in a man or woman. But she hadnt just fallen off the turnip truck. Shed learned to keep her opinion to herself unless speaking with her husband or best friends. Keep it level, keep it smooth. She tried.

  Terri, young for such a task, headed Charlottesvilles William Woods Alumnae Association. Once men were admitted to William Woods in 1996, an argument arose over the word alumnae. Should they change it to alumni? The Old Girls fought that one. For most of their lives they had lived under male honorifics or terms. Let the men grapple with alumnae. Surely their parts wouldnt shrivel.

  So alumnae it was, at least in the eyes of the female graduates.

  Such battles never interested Harry, but she did understand one great fundamental of life: Men had to prove they were men. Women did not have to prove they were women. This anxiety could make weak men either silly or downright dangerous. Strong men sailed right through.

  Harry focused on the basics: animal behavior, food, clothing, shelter. She zeroed right to the core of an issue, which made people who couldnt accept brute reality nervous. Harry knew the human animal had set the natural order on its head, that among humans the weak devoured the strong. As her mother used to put it, The squeakiest wheel gets the oil.

  No reason to burden Terri with reality, for Terri was one of those benighted souls who believed laws were the answer. You have a problem? Pass another law.

  Liz lightened the moment. Harry, your corgi has good taste. That was a beautiful vase.

  Harry smiled. Tucker has better taste than I do.

  Thank you, the dog replied.

  Garvey joked, Bring her in my store. If she tears up an item or chews shoes, Ill know to order more.

  Garvey, you crack me up. Harry laughed at him.

  Terri, a clotheshorse, asked Harry, Do you know what youre going to wear?

  Uh, well, it will probably be cold. That long wraparound wool skirt, the one I wear with the big gold pin on the front. I thought that.

  But what about the dinner, and, of course, there will be the choral groups. Aunt Tally will be serenaded. You need some variety in your wardrobe.

  I dont know. Ill think of something.

  No jeans and cowboy boots, Terri smugly decreed.

  Tell her to shut up, Tucker grumbled.

  Well go in a minute. Harry smiled down at her constant companion. Terri, hope business is good. With that, she vacated the shop, Garvey on her heels.

  Sorry your little dog broke the pot. He shivered, for the wind was cold; he wore only a sweater. This sweater would look great on Fair. He poked his own chest.

  Would. Harry nodded. Hes a bit of a peacock.

  Id go out of business without peacocks. See you soon, I hope.

  He ducked into his store.

  Jeez. She looked down at Tucker. Its picked up. Winds got teeth in it.

  Within a minute they reached the truck. Harry unlocked the door. It was a 1978 Ford F-150. Ran like a top. She lifted the corgi up, then slid in herself, quickly closing the door.

  So? Pewter, the fat gray cat, looked at the dog.

  Mrs. Murphy, the slender tabby, said nothing but was grateful when Harry started the engine. As the truck hadnt been parked long, the heat came on.

  All four creatures sat for a moment, just enjoying the warmth.

  Harry always left an old blanket on the seat for the animals to snuggle in and keep warm.

  As Harry turned out of Barracks Road Shopping Center onto Barracks Road, Tucker filled in the two cats on the broken pot.

  Harry rarely traveled without her friends. With few exceptions, their friendship meant the most to her in the world. For one thing, they never lied to her. For another thing, they didnt care if she wore jeans and cowboy boots, earrings and mascaratwo nods to girly things. Fussing over her face and attire was just too much work for Harry. She had more important things to do.

  The old truck lacked cup holders, but Harry had installed one. She plopped her cell phone into it. The phone rang. She wouldnt use her phone when driving, because she didnt trust herself not to lose concentration.

  Already shed put in a full day. At 5:30 A.M. shed fed her husband, Fair, and herself. Hed then left for his practiceequine veterinary medicine. She fed the horses, mucked their stalls, turned them out with their blankets on. Shed called Southern States, a regional agricultural supply chain, and put in her seed and fertilizer order. This way she reaped a small discount for ordering early. Boy, it cost, too.

  Thanks to some traffic, she turned down the mile-long dirt driveway to her farm thirty-five minutes after leaving the shopping center. She parked the truck by the barn, making use of the overhang. It felt like snow. If the weather turned nasty, the overhang would keep some of the snow off the windshield.

  She flipped open the cell phone to see the missed call. Big Mim.

  She hurried into the old farmhouse to use the landline.

  Upon hearing the familiar voice, Big Mim ordered without formalities, Harry, you need to call Inez Carpenter in Richmond.

  Of course.

  Harry did as she was told.

  Although Tallys best friend was ninety-eight, her voice was strong.

  They chatted for a few moments, then Inez got to the point. Harry, as you know, Im head of the William Woods Alumnae Association chapter here in Richmondwell, Im emeritus. The board wants to present Tally with something from ourselves. I know better than to ask Mim. Shell wave me off. Any ideas?

  Shed like a purple-martin house.

  Harry mentioned a beautiful insect-eating bird with specific housing tastes. Purple martins returned to Virginia in the spring and liked to live in colonies. Multiple gourds hanging on cross rails or large birdhouses with many apartments appealed to them. One had to carefully clean out their quarters when they left for the fall and winter. A scout, flying ahead of the flock, would arrive in February to inspect the furnishings. If dirty, the purple martin wouldnt return to nest there.

  Oh. Inezs voice raised a notch. What a good suggestion. A pause followed. You have a mind for puzzles. If we have a little time when were in Fulton, I have one for you. Lets keep it between us.

  Sounds interesting.

  A very long pause followed this, and the nonagenarian lowered her voice. Perhaps too interesting.

  Wonder what its about. Harry had just finished telling Fair about her conversation with Inez.

  Inez isnt given to overstatement. He speared the last piece of rib eye on his plate, having carefully pared off the fat.

  Tucker, Mrs. Murphy, and Pewter, alert, sat at his feet. Theyd already worked over Harry.

  Guess Ill find out. She didnt want to tell me over the phone.

  Then it involves someones reputation or something dicey. Fair felt the glow that attends a full stomach.

  Youre probably right. Inez wouldnt want to besmirch someone. She may have doubts, but shell hold her fire until she has everything locked up tight. Ive learned a lot from her.

  Me, too. He smiled.

  Inez had wanted to be a librarian while at William Woods but, upon graduation, decided she really wanted to be an equine vet. She went back to the college, took organic chemistry and other science courses, then applied to Cornell. She was accepted as the only woman in her class, and when she moved back to Virginia, she was the only woman equine vet in the state. The gods gave her a great gift. She could see what other vets who lacked a feeling for horses couldnt. There were those who thought Inez could read a horses mind. Within ten years, she was envied by some while others felt only pure jealousy. Many, however, admired her. She was considered one of the best equine vets in Virginia. By the time she was fifty, she was thought to be one of the best in the nation.

  When Fair did his residency, he was accepted by Inez. Her practice included the
counties just west of Richmond. She specialized in equine reproduction. Fair was her understudy. She always bragged about him, saying he wasnt only her handsomest understudy but her best. He, too, had a feeling for horses, learning to trust his instincts as much as if not more than technology.

  When his term of residency ended, Fair established a clinic in Crozet, Virginia, his hometown, thereby diving into vats of debt. Inez threw him as much business as she could from Louisa County, her westernmost territory. She began dragging him along to conferences. Her luster rubbed off on him. He was damned good, too.

  Surely you have a scrap of fat on that plate? Pewter stood on her hind legs to pat Fairs thigh with her front paw.

  Fair cast his blue eyes down at the rotund kitty. Id be ashamed to be that fat.

  Nonetheless, he tossed her a fat scrap, along with one each to Mrs. Murphy and Tucker.

  Pewter let the insult pass. The tidbit was too good.

  Im glad you could make it home for supper.

  Feels like its been weeks. He sighed, leaning back in his chair.

  It has.

  Foaling season started in January, especially for the Thoroughbreds, but it continued for other breeds into April. Occasionally, a late foal would even be born in June. Like humans, foals arrived on their own timetable, which always seemed to be in the middle of the night. Fair had learned to snatch sleep when he could. He could even sleep standing up.

  Ninety-nine percent of the time, the baby entered this world healthy. Occasionally, there would be birth defects. Some could be corrected with surgery, but others were hopeless and the animal had to be humanely destroyed. Sometimes the problem was with the mother. Fortunately, this foaling season had been very good, with few miseries, and tonight Fair had made it home early. With luck, he might even sleep for seven hours.

  Thought Id take the dually to Fulton. Sucks gas, but I think that long a trip might be asking too much of the 78.

  How long is it? He smiled as Pewter, happy, flopped at Harrys side.

  Sixteen hours. I can do it in less if Im vigilant. But I think Ill take two days and stop in Kentucky to see Joan and Larry. She mentioned two dear friends. Joan Hamilton owned Kalarama Farm, where she bred Saddlebreds; Larry Hodge, her husband, trained them and other peoples horses for showing. He owned a separate place, Simmstown, which he rented out. He was also an auctioneer, having a real flair for it. They were one of those great teams like Abbott and Costello or Fred and Ginger.

  Bring pictures of Shortro.

  Harry nodded. Shortro had been given to her by a client of Joans. He was a gray Saddlebred and was just turning four. He was smart, kind, and eager to learn, and Harry had fallen in love with the fellow.

  Fair reached for his beer, glancing out the kitchen window. Winter wont give up.

  Dont I know it. But the snowdrops are showing their little heads. Soon my crocus shoots will pop up. Sooner or later, winter will release his grip.

  I love a good snow, but by March Im ready for the change, as is everyone. He paused. The dually. No, honey, dont take it. Its a great truck, mind you, but you dont want to drive sixteen hours with those double wheels. I mean, the turning radius alone will get you when you snake through St. Louis. What a goddamned bottleneck that is.

  Tis. I adore St. Louis. Just wish theyd build more bridges over the Mississippi and a new bypass.

  Given that our bridges are falling down, they might have to. The Mississippi is treacherous. That reminds me to reread Life on the Mississippi.

  Well, what can I drive? Im not flying. For one thing, I wouldnt be able to take the kids. For another, its crowded, planes are late or canceled, you dont even get a sandwich, you pay for your bag to be checked, and an airplane pollutes eight times as much as a train. As far as Im concerned, air travel needs to be a thing of the past if were really going green.

  Dont count on it. Those special-interest lobbies couldnt give a damn about whats good for the environment, much less the country. He drained his glass. And the public deluded itself into thinking that long-life electric bulbs and electric cars will solve the problem. Until we phase out polluting industries like air travel, were sunk. He paused. Its complicated. I know that. If we end those industries without creating new ones and retraining people to work in the new ones, were creating tremendous hardship for sectors of our population. Theres no easy answer, but there are answers. Fair cared passionately about environmental issues.

  Youre right. The public doesnt care about the greed, corruption, or rape of the environment as long as they get what they need. At least thats what I think.

  Not need but want, Fair remarked shrewdly, while patting Pewters head.

  She stood on her hind legs again. Fair had cleaned his plate, but he did drop a little piece of piecrust.

  Pig. Mrs. Murphy swept her whiskers forward. She wasnt one for sweets or piecrusts.

  Pewter liked dough, any kind of bread. Youre no cripple. If you want more, ask for it.

  Dont. The tiger turned, sauntering out of the kitchen.

  Youre right. Back to my problem.

  Let me think on it. I could rent a car. We dont have one, and for a trip like this, you really need a car.

  I dont need one here. The old 78 does the job.

  Its not long on comfort.

  I sit on a cushion. She smiled, then looked out the window. She rose, walking over for a better look. Flurries.

  Damn.

  Good thing I kept the fire going.

  What about the bedroom? Their bedroom was cold.

  Stoked that, too. But I can keep you warm.

  He laughed. Im a lucky man. Then he said with feeling, I am. Im married to the woman I love. I love my work. I have wonderful friendshuman and animal. And I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. If I ever forget to be grateful, smack me.

  Will do. Harry finished her hot tea. I hope this do for Aunt Tally doesnt do her in.

  Tally? Christ, shell probably outlive us all.

  Probably, but I have a funny feeling about this.

  Fair had learned not to discount Harrys feelings, just as hed learned through experience not to discount when Inez said a horse was unhappy, even with no apparent physical cause. You mean shell get sick or something?

  No. Harry placed the cup on the saucer. I cant put my finger on it. This is going to be a huge fund-raiser. Times are tough, so its especially important. Then that smarmy little social climber Terri Kincaidwho plucks my last nerve, by the waywants to have another fund-raiser here. Theyre working Tally too hard, I think. I know Inez put her foot down with the Richmond chapter about having a special fund-raiser tied to Tally turning one hundred.

  They can wait until Inez turns a hundred. Two more years. You know she was in her early eighties when I did my residency? Apart from a bad backand what vet or horseman doesnt have oneshe looked about fifty.

  Some people just have it. Others die of lung cancer at thirty without ever smoking. Harry had accepted in her teens that there was no rhyme or reason to these things.

  But being a fearful species, humans want reasons, so they invent them. Thats what the cats had decided. Theyd also concluded other things about the human animal, few of their conclusions complimentary. But Mrs. Murphy staunchly defended Harry and Fair by saying they possessed catlike qualities.

  Tucker loved her humans. She didnt care if they were turned around backward.

  Back to your premonition.

  Did I say premonition? Fair shook his head no, so Harry continued. Well, I guess it is. Maybe its because of the financial pressure. Im making too much of it. But, she searched for the right words, I feel this may backfire.

  I hope not.

  I hope not, too, because the collegewell, its a university nowis doing everything right about the big blowout. According to Inez and Tally, its one of the best-run higher-education institutions in the country.

  You know Inez and I can still argue about our alma maters. She thinks Cornell is the best, and I think its Auburn. He
rose and cleared the table. Lets hope all goes well. If it doesnt, youre far away from me. I dont much like that.

  Its not about me. Its a feeling.

  Harry, if anything does run amiss, youll soon be in the middle of it. You cant help yourself.

  True, Tucker piped up.

  Thats enough, Tucker, Harry reprimanded the corgi.

  She understood, Tucker announced.

  No, she didnt. She wanted you to stop barking, Mrs. Murphy replied.

  I only barked once.

  The cat brushed against the mighty little dog, for she did love her. Pewter, who had moved to her cozy fleece bed, opened one eye. She closed her eye again.

  Harry did not say anything about her husbands assessment of her landing in the middle of a mess, because it was true.

  Fair filled the sink. They didnt use a microwave or dishwasher. They turned on the electric lights only in the room where they were eating, reading, or watching TV. Fair was setting aside money to build a good old farmers windmill. That would help with energy costs. Honey, give me a couple of days on the car thing. I really dont want you driving all that way in anything but a safe vehicle.

  Renting will be really expensive.

  Let me worry about that. He scrubbed a dish, then turned to smile at her. Actually, I dont want to deny you the pleasure of worrying about money.

  Go on. She rose, grabbed a dish towel to wipe off the plates and glasses. Boy, its coming down now.

  Ill say. And thats another reason I want you in a safe car. There are no barriers between Missouri and Canada. The weather sweeps down. Here, we have the Alleghenies first and then the Blue Ridge. Its one of the reasons our weather is so glorious. He paused. Most of the time.

  She tossed the towel over her shoulder. Still is. Its pretty. Were just ready for spring.

  Additional revenue. Liz Filmore, the head of the William Woods Alumnae Association of Richmond, concluded her push.

  Listening on the other end of the phone was Flo Langston, head of the St. Louis chapter.

  Flo had a seat on the stock exchange and was the head of her own successful firm, while Liz, with her husband, Tim, owned a small investment firm.