For the Love of Animals

Miles adapted to his co-workers’ quirks. Catching Ramona happened daily. Finding Oliver sleeping in various places of the restaurant ceased to frighten him. He steered clear of Shasta’s kitchen. He learned people were supportive of Anita’s soulmate search and not bothered by it. Listening to Sierra hum, her song seemed relaxing after the dinner rush. And he learned not to count on the useless manager.

What his co-workers noticed was that there was nothing abnormal about Miles. He always came to work cheerful and happy to be there. Served everyone with a smile. Didn’t scold Anita about searching for soulmate as Shasta did. Didn’t try to wake up Oliver outside of a gentle nudge. Caught Ramona like it was the most normal thing in the world to run across the room to save her from hitting the ground. It was odd and unsettling.

Miles was cleaning the windows from the inside when he stopped and pressed his face up against the glass. He continued looking outside, not moving as the restaurant life continued.

“You okay there?” asked Oliver as he passed by with a load of dirty dishes.

“Cat,” Miles whispered.

“Cat?”

“Cat.”

Oliver looked outside to see enjoying the shade of a tree was a cat.

“Huh? So you’re right.”

Oliver continued on his way, but Miles stayed to watch. He eventually took a seat in the booth, watching the cat sitting under the tree.

“Miles? Have you finished cleaning the windows?” asked Anita, even though it was evident that he hadn’t.

“I will in a bit,” he mumbled, still watching the cat. Anita stood and waited for Miles to start cleaning, only for him to continue to watch the cat.

Anita left and hurried to the back, knocking on Cyrus’ door.

“What,” the man snapped as he opened it.

“Miles stopped working because he is watching a cat.”

“Why is he watching a cat?”

“I don’t know.”

Cyrus bent over to look into the dining area, seeing nothing.

“Let him go pet the cat then, but make sure he cleans up after.”

“OK!”

Anita, happy she had a solution, skipped to the front.

“Miles, if you want, you can go pet the cat.”

Miles’ face immediately lit up so bright that the sun could not compare.

“Really?!”

“Mm, just be sure to clean up after yourself when you come back in.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Miles darted from the booth, exiting the restaurant. His co-workers gathered at the windows, even the kitchen staff joining in.

“Who wants to bet the cat scratches him,” asked Sierra.

“I bet it rips part of the uniform,” answered Oliver.

“I add that the cat runs away before he gets close,” echoed Cyrus, everyone surprised he had left the office to watch.

“You should be ashamed, taking bets on a potential injury,” chided Anita.

“I bet someone scares it off,” announced Shasta.

Anita scowled at everyone before they all turned back to the scene. Miles had made it halfway across the parking lot, already in a semi-squat position as he inched closer to the cat. As he got closer, the cat poked his head up from his resting place, watching Miles get closer. Miles extended a hand. The cat sniffed the appendage before placing its head under Miles’ hand. He scooted a little closer, a happy aura surrounding him as he petted the cat.

“He petted it!” Everyone thought to themselves, a little surprised by the turn of events.

Miles continued petting the cat; the other employees returning to work. The last two were Ramona and Anita.

“Keep an eye on him, please,” asked Anita, returning to the front when a new customer had entered.

Ramona kept watching for a bit; Miles oblivious to the rest of the world. Ramona looked around, seeing the restaurant was still not too busy. She stood up from her seat in a booth and walked outside the restaurant to check on Miles.

The cat became alert to her presence, jumping up and running off as she got close.

“Wait, don’t go,” Miles pleaded, but the cat dashed down the street for a new destination. The happy countenance disappeared immediately.

“Miles?” Ramona called out, just as her foot crossed a crack in the road, sending her falling to the ground. Miles was up in a flash, catching her moments before she hit the ground. Her body rested on his knee while his arms wrapped around her shoulders and stomach.

“Thank you,” she whispered as Miles pulled them both up to a standing position.

“No worries,” Miles smiled, “We should get back to work.”

“What about the cat?”

“Cat?”

Ramona pointed in the direction where the cat ran off.

“Eh, it’s just a cat. Another one will come around. We should wash ourselves up, though, since I pet the cat then caught you.”

With a smile, Miles was off to go back inside the restaurant, Ramona following behind. His co-workers watched as he made his way to the bathroom, unbothered by their stares. Maybe Miles Sonata was a strange one after all.