The McIntosh's Cat

I didn't sleep very well last night. I kept thinking about my mother and her cat. She's been worried to the point of tears about her cat's family. I can't figure out why she's so anxious and no matter what I tell her, she's only temporarily satisfied. I decided last night I would write her a letter from the cat's family.

As I spun through what I'd write in the letter, I remembered a short story I wrote when I was 6, the McIntosh's Cat. It went something like this: "'Look' said Ann Brooks, 'there goes the McIntosh's cat.' 'It is a good cat' said Mother. 'It is a very good cat' said Ann Brooks."

I wrote that story around the time my mother remarried and changed her name to Brooks. My sister and I were stranded with the name McIntosh, which had no relation to anyone we knew, so I imagine my cat story was communicating some of my confusion about those times.

I wonder if my mother is feeling the same things?

"Dear Ruth - Aunt Carol says you're taking good care of Kitty Kat. We are so happy you've taken her in as your own family. We will not be able to come see her because we live a long way from your house. You are a very good person and we know Kitty Kat is safe with you. Love, the McIntosh's"