The clowder

     Our day started on a stressful note. The power company decided Saturday morning at 8:30 am was the purr-fect time to clean out the power lines. Who doesn’t like being rolled out of the bed by chain saws? Full throttle sound battles. Dueling chainsaws! Yeah! 125 decibels of gas powered buzzing and whirring vibrating inside your barely awake skull. 

     We should have left at 10:30 am. That was the plan. But NO! The earth shaking wood chipper blocked the road and wouldn’t move. An hour and a half, the seesaw of sounds tormented not only my aching head but the dogs as well. Buzz! Buzz! Grind! Grind!

     Finally, 30 minutes later than planned, we are on the road. 

     City traffic is always a nightmare. White knuckles, frayed nerves. Aching temples and shaking knees. 

     Made it safe and sound to the hotel. Deep sigh of relief. 

     Through the alley to the back entrance of our room. Sitting on a wall, a beautiful orange cat catches my eye. It watches us with feline curiosity. Watches as we ascend the stairs to the room.  

     A quick survey spell disaster; decaf coffee! Hotel staff only left us decaf coffee. 5 adults and not a drop of caffeine in sight! This must be made right. We decide a quick trip to the front desk will fix this issue. The beautiful orange cat is still sitting on the wall. Still watching. More cats are a little higher up on the wall. Watching. 

     As we round the corner, coffee in hand, more cats are now on the wall. Perched like statues. Watching. Waiting. The sight of us doesn’t intimidate them. They have no fear. Before completely closing the door behind me, I turn the see all the cats, watching. Tails wagging in unison. Waiting. 

     Our quiet evening in is interrupted by the desire for food. A rumble in the tummy. I open the door and gasp. A clowder of cats are everywhere. They are sitting on the railing. Sitting by the door. Sitting in between the banister. Sitting on the HVAC unit. Sitting on the window sill of the room to the left of ours. Sitting on the wall. Tails wagging in unison. 

     The beautiful orange cat is sitting front and center. It meows first. “Meow.” Then other one. “Meow.” The another one. “Meow.” Before along, all the cats are meowing. Wagging their tails in unison. I slowly step backwards, quickly shutting the door behind me. It seems to only amplify their meows. 

     Scratching! Was that scratching at the door? “Meow!”