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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Sad (07/26/07)
It was all Olivia talked about, day in and day out.

“Fuzzy is so cute.”

“Did I tell you I have a new kitten? Her name is Fuzzy.”

“Fuzzy likes to play with my toes.”

“Do you think I could take Fuzzy to school today? I’ll hide her in my bag so the teacher doesn’t see her. Please, Mommy.”

Claire shook her head and chuckled to herself as she remembered the discussion this morning. It had taken quite awhile to convince Olivia that Fuzzy would not enjoy being shut in a school bag all day long.

Oh, no. I forgot to shut Fuzzy in the back room. She’ll probably mess all over the new carpet.

Olivia’s new kitten was adorable but Claire was getting sick of cleaning up after it. Fuzzy had been a member of their family for almost three weeks now and she still hadn’t figured out how to use the litter tray.

“That has got to be the dumbest cat I have ever seen,” Peter had declared last night as they cleaned up yet another wet spot on the carpet.

“Fuzzy. Kitty, kitty. Here Fuzzy.” Claire began calling before she had the front door open properly. One step inside the door and Claire realized she was already too late.

“Uugghh!” She lifted her foot and glared at the brown mass smeared into the carpet and all over the sole of her shoe. “That cat is gonna cop it this time. Fuzzy, where are you? Kitty, kitty.” Claire ripped the soiled shoe of her foot and threw it out the door as she called.

As she stepped into the lounge a small ball of grey fluff launched itself off the arm of the sofa. Fuzzy landed, claws extended, on Claire’s shoeless foot and quickly began to climb her stockinged leg.

“OUCH!” Claire grabbed the kitten by the scruff of the neck and marched to the laundry door. “Get out of my house you filthy, dirty, smelly, vicious little beast.” She tossed the kitten out the door and began to turn away. Fuzzy rolled several times and was brought to a jarring halt by the brick edging along the path. She let out an ear piercing wail and lay still.

Claire turned back and stared at the small grey kitten. Kneeling beside the cat, she extended a hand towards it. The kitten wailed again as Claire picked her up. It didn’t take an expert to see that she was badly hurt.

Eye’s filling with tears, Claire prepared a box to lay the kitten in. Rushing out the front door she saw her discarded shoe. A quick wipe on the grass removed the mess and Claire was ready to leave.

The veterinary’s surgery was only a few blocks away and Claire managed the drive with tears pouring down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry Mrs Hamilton,” the vet’s voice was solemn. “Her back is broken. We’ll need to put her to sleep.”

“There must be something you can do. Please.” Claire couldn’t accept what she was hearing. “It doesn’t matter what it costs. It’s my daughter’s kitten. How will I tell her that her kitten is dead… and I killed it?”

The drive to school that afternoon was the worst drive Claire had ever made. She stood beside the car, fidgeting nervously as she tried to decide how to break the news to Olivia.

The bell rang and the school doors crashed open, disgorging a noisy, laughing crowd of children. Olivia took longer than usual to get to the car.

“Hi Mommy. Can Shelby come over tonight and see Fuzzy?”

There was a long pause as Claire searched for the right words to say. Crouching down, she wrapped her arms around her daughter.

“Olivia… I’m sorry darling. There was an accident today. Fuzzy… Fuzzy got hurt and the vet had to put her to sleep.”

Olivia’s blue eyes opened wide in disbelief, but one look at her mother’s tear streaked face was enough to convince her it was true.

“Oh, Mommy. Oh, no. Not my Fuzzy.”

Mother and daughter remained, wrapped in each other’s arms, sharing their sorrow, as the schoolyard and car park emptied.
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This article has been read 990 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
c clemons
08/02/07
Boy that was a sad story. I hope it wasn't true but if it is I can see where the title comes from. It comes a time though even in our worse acts we have to accept forgiveness and move on.
Marilyn Schnepp 
08/04/07
Hits the Topic to a "T". It is very "sad"; however, I kept wondering if the mother ever told her daughter how the accident occurred? My idea would be to wait until the daughter is an adult before copping out. Well written story, however, and kept my interest throughout.
David Butler
08/05/07
Enough to make even an Ozzie bloke cry. Though admittedly, this Ozzie bloke has a soft spot for cats and can't handle seeing little blue-eyed cuties crying without running for the tissues himself.
(Don't tell me drinking mates I said so though!)
;)
Great writing! Did the deceased animal have a successor BTW?
Jan Ackerson
08/05/07
Almost too painful to read! But very well-written and smack dab on target. This one made me sad, sad, sad.
Joanne Sher 
08/05/07
Ohhhhh. This is perfect for the topic and so beautifully done. The emotions are so realistic. I am impressed, knowing that you were the child in this story, how accurately and well you portrayed the mother's emotions. Excellent.
william price
08/05/07
You should have had a "WARNING: SAD" sticker on this one. Great job. God bless.
Dara Sorensen
08/06/07
Oh I cried so hard in this! I am wondering too if Fuzzy had a successor...the loss of animal is always painful :-( Great job on capturing the emotions of the mom and child.
Kristen Hester
08/07/07
This is so well written and very SAD! I know the emotions well. When my dauther's kitten was killed when she hid under the hood of my car, I felt horrible. You have done an excellent job with the topic and your story!
Angela M. Baker-Bridge
08/09/07
Very moving... well done.