The Purrfect Gift: A Decker and Joy Short Story

They met after supper in front of the refrigerator. The four conspirators listened carefully for signs of life in the other room, but when all the heard was noise from the television, they began exchanging notes.

“How’s the new home?” Midnight asked Pumpkin. They were living in different locations now, although both places were outfitted for all four of them since they visited each other so often.

“Horrible. All he—” meaning Pumpkin’s new human “—has a heavy ceramic Santa cookie jar in the back corner of the kitchen counter and a stuffed animal wearing a reindeer-antler headband that he expects me to play with.” The orange cat gave them a disgusted look. “It’s a stuffed dog.”

“Ew,” Stinky meowed in commiseration. “That’s pretty sparce holiday entertainment. At least you have the ornaments on the tree to keep you amused.”

“He doesn’t have a tree,” Pumpkin told the trio.

“No tree? What a monster!” Spooky hissed.

“I know! I don’t care how generous he is with the cat treats; the man is a former police officer. He knows that not having a Christmas tree for me to enjoy has to be some kind of felony.” Pumpkin was displeased with his human. “You don’t know how lucky you are to be with our foster mom over the holidays.”

Midnight shook his furry head. “Oh, we know.” He tilted his head to listen to the people in the living room. “Come on, Pumpkin. You can play with our tree. We’ll distract the humans. There is a new gold ornament at the top of the tree that is the perfect size for swatting.”

* * *

Joy McCall relaxed into her sofa and snuggled under Decker’s arm. They were having a low-key Christmas eve and, so far, it had been perfect.

Decker had made plans long before they met to have Christmas dinner with the Barrs. She was seeing her family at a cousin’s house and having supper there. That only left them tonight, and since neither would be home to eat leftovers, they’d decided to pick up Chinese take-out for their holiday meal.

Now that the Szechuan beef, shrimp chop suey, and chicken fried rice was gone, and all that was left were two fortune cookies and two large pieces of coffee cake with eggnog ice cream for dessert.

It had been a great meal and even better company. She wasn’t just referring to Decker. Joy had received special dispensation from her landlord’s wife to have the kittens in her apartment over Christmas with the understanding that they had to go back to Kitten Caboodle on the 27th, and she was enjoying every minute of it. She was thrilled when the Terrible Trio and Pumpkin decided to join them in the living room in time to open their presents.

“This one first,” Joy said, pushing a massive box in front of Decker.

“Joy, what did you get me? A half-sized Eiffel Tower? This is huge. You do know that I’m moving in a month, right?”

“I know. I can take it back…”

“No way.” Decker grinned at her, his blue eyes sparking. “Hand it over. I have no idea what comes in a box that big.” Joy joined laughter when he discovered it held more boxes and packing tape. “I bet you think that you’re pretty funny.”

“I’m hilarious,” Joy agreed. “But I did get you a real gift too.”

The second box was significantly smaller but still a good size. He tore the wrapping paper away like a kid, then opened the lid. “Joy, this is too much.” He lifted a navy bomber-style jacket from the box.

“Ottawa has mild, damp winters. Manitoba has cold, dry ones. You’re going to need a better winter coat.” She’d bought him a good one. Fortunately, she worked in a mall and had friends in other stores who had given her a significant discount since coats were about to go on sale the next week. “There’s more.”

He pulled a Winnipeg Jets toque out from under the box’s tissue paper lining. “The Jets? You’re from Ottawa too. This should be a Senators hat.”

“It’s a disguise to help you pass as a local.”

“You’re brilliant. Thank you.”

His thank-you kiss curled her toes. She was looking forward to the one they’d share on New Year’s Eve.

“How about you? Are you ready for the move?” Decker asked.

She’d given notice to Rob and to her landlord. Nick Klassen, her new boss’s boss, had sent pictures of her new apartment and a lease, which she’d signed and returned. Now it was a matter of packing in January, hiring movers, and heading to Manitoba in a little more than a month. It would be the opportunity and adventure of a lifetime. “It’s a little overwhelming but I’m doing okay.”

“I can help you pack if you want. Or offer moral support.”

“You already do that. I’m glad that I won’t be moving there on my own.”

“No chance. We’re a team now.” Decker pulled her tighter against him. “We’re going to build a fabulous life together in December. And next year, I won’t have to rush to get your present.”

Joy dug an elbow into his ribs. “Did you get me one this year? I didn’t see anything under the tree?” And she’d looked. Twice.

“I didn’t put it under the tree. I put it in the tree.” He left her on the sofa and grabbed a large, gold ball from the top of the tree. She didn’t know how she’d missed it: he’d hung it just under the star. “Merry Christmas, Joy.”

The ornament hinged at the back. She lifted the lid and gasped. A gorgeous silver bracelet with four beads on it shone in the light from the Christmas tree. “It’s gorgeous!” Three of the beads were black and white while the fourth was orange. She lifted the bracelet to get a better look at it. Each bead had one of the kitten’s names engraved on it. “Decker, it’s beautiful. Thank you!”

He took the ball container, snapped it shut, and tossed it on the table. “You make it look beautiful. Is that all the thanks I get?”

“No.” She pounced on him and kissed him again. When she leaned back, she said, “I also have dessert for you.”

“Now you’re talking!” he teased. Then he looked over her shoulder. “I think our furry buddies also approve of our presents. Everybody is having a merry Christmas Eve this year.”

* * *

From the bottom of the big box, Pumpkin could see the top of the tree and the star on top of it. It was the perfect height for leaping to the flaps and then launching himself into the tree. Plus, the bottom was big enough for him to both stretch and sprawl out full length for a nap. His human had come through with an excellent last minute Christmas gift. He was forgiven.

Meanwhile, Midnight, Stinky, and Spooky were batting around the gold ornament that they’d pointed out to him. It rolled with a wobble which meant they had to pounce to stop it, which immediately increased the bauble’s entertainment value. “Our mom did well too.”

“What do you think they’re going to do with all those boxes?”

“They don’t seem very upset about them, so I think it’s a good thing.”,/

Pumpkin jumped out of his box and joined them on the floor. “These are more boxes than there were when I went to live with my human. Maybe both of us are going to move. Maybe we’ll move in with you!”

The cats were almost right.

They were just a little early.

THE END

Copyright © 2023 - Copyright and Published by Deidre Gould.

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This is a work of fiction. The characters, names, places, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.