Squeaker

The beginning of a story, probably intended for children; written some time in 2001.  The cat is obviously based on our cat, Levi – RNW

Deirdre, Tom, Drew, Jodie and Squeaker

They called him Squeaker because when he meowed, it wasn’t a meow at all but a kind of gentle squeak like he had lost his real voice.

Even when he wanted food, Squeaker would look up at Deirdre or Drew with his big eyes, as if to say, ‘Come on, I’m hungry.’

Sometimes he would even climb his front paws up Tom or Drew’s leg as high as he could go, then looking up, let out a little squeak.

‘OK Squeaker,’ Tom would say. ‘I give in,’ and he would go to the cupboard and pull out a tin of cat’s food.

Drew, who was only five, loved Squeaker. He loved his sleek black coat and his long tail.

He often lay on the carpet in the lounge while Squeaker rolled on his back and Drew rubbed his tummy.

And some days Deirdre put baby Jodie on a rug on the carpet and Squeaker would watch and crawl closer, and Jodie would squeal with delight and reach out and touch him.

Noises

Against the chugging sound of the washing machine, comes Freya's strident miaow. She wants food.

Boo!

Freya, crouching, expecting to surprise me, leapt out from her hiding place in the corridor with a short, sharp miaow.

Musical cat

Levi lies on the bed pretending to be asleep, but the flicking of his ears betrays the fact that he really is listening to the beat of John Denver's lively songs.

Eating Icecream

Icecream is luscious and creamy — especially chocolate, which swirls about my mouth and brings joy and happiness into my life.

Rosemary

Rosemary makes me smile. She is the one whose infectious smile is catching and makes me feel happy. I want others to feel the same.

Bats

I walk to the end of our drive and a flock of fruit bats suddenly takes to the night sky, blotting out the moon.

Seen on TV

A tribe of Aboriginal people, very young to very old, meet in desert country to celebrate their lives and their culture. They sing tribal songs together and cherish friendships.

They remember when the big atom bombs decimated their numbers, but they have learned to be patient with the ways of the white and continue to flourish in dreadful circumstances.



This refers to atomic bomb tests at Maralinga, central Australia in 1953. 

Sunday

Today is a day for bed. Levi is the first to arrive, snuggling up to me while I enjoy my breakfast of muesli and sliced bananas.

Fifteen minutes later Freya leaps on the bed, looks around and settles in her own space.

Consultation

Saturday morning — the surgery has been quiet over the last two hours. A trickle of patients leaves the waiting room. By 10.30 we are alone and the call comes from a young, attractive doctor near the entrance. I answer questions and Rosemary fills in the gaps. 

We leave, and Rosemary drops off a sample of urine I took at home to the lab across the road, and a new script from the doc to the pharmacy.

Pain

The pain in my legs has largely gone away. A mystery! Unless God has at last adhered to my wishes!

New bra

She strides into the bedroom, pulling on her new bra.

'I love my new bra,' she spruiks, tugging it into place.

Over breakfast

Freya and Levi lie on the bed, occasionally turning over.

When Rosemary comes in with my breakfast, I ask how she is.

'And what about you?' she asks me.

'Sore,' I say. 'Very sore.'

My companion

My blue wheely walker sits by the wall awaiting my attention, its empty cage hanging.

This morning

Rosemary's foot is aching and giving her hell. She makes a bleep or two and goes back to sleep.

Levi

Levi is our male cat. He's cute. He comes up to me when I'm sitting in my armchair in the lounge room, looks up at me with his big soft eyes and sweeps his paw across the coffee table I'm using as a desk, knocking pens and pencils to the floor.

He knows he's being naughty. But he doesn't care and just likes to disturb me.

Mt Warning's mist

Through the swirling mist, Mt Warning thrusts its ancient peak.

Doctor's waiting room

A visit to the doctor's surgery. Today it's bright and sunny. We're on time but the doctor isn't. The waiting room has only six patients waiting. Our doc is tall and athletic and usually on the ball. Today should be fast, and back home by four. It's 3.50, and we won't be.

Silly hat

The toy lion has a funny hat on. It's purple.

It looks silly in a purple hat.

Seeing

Most of us miss out on what is going on around us and, as a consequence, our understanding of our children, our parents and our friends falls through the cracks.