Oscar, Tilly and Maxine: A love story

A Post a Day in May 19/31

Oscar and Tilly had each found their separate ways to Viburnum Lodge, and each loved to tell the tale of their journey: Oscar’s filled with leaps of faith and the charm of feline/human seduction; Tilly’s filled with wonder at her good fortune. Their stories reflected their world view, really. Reflected what they expected of the world.

Oscar: “I was born into a ragamuffin house in a rough neighbourhood, but I knew from my earliest days that I was meant for more. As soon as I could, I clawed my way out of the back room and trotted down the road to find the luck I knew I deserved. And I did. I calculated well the looks I gave the humans I encountered — those ready to fall for my natural charm with a bold look into their eyes, a loud purr, and a well calculated rub against their leg. Though it wasn’t til I met Maxine at the driveway down to the Lodge that I permitted myself to be picked up and carried along.”

Tilly: “My Dear Human died quite suddenly and I was left alone. No one saw me, because no one was looking for me. They were all focused on Dear Human, who just crumpled to the ground one day, leaving me alone in the world. She and I had been quite content alone together, but when she died, being alone was no longer any good for me. When the little boy peeked under the bed and shone the light, I wasn’t quick enough to evade it. He saw my eyes and reached in to pull me out. I was so scared, but it’s turned out alright. He brought me to Maxine at Viburnum Lodge and she’s lovely. But I still prefer it here, under the blanket, where it’s cozy and safe.”

Maxine took life as it came to her, including whatever cats found their way to Viburnum Lodge. She felt fortunate to have its roof over her head and enjoyed the company of the four-legged ones who joined her there: Oscar, who loved to climb the ladder to the roof, and Tilly, who could not be persuaded out from under the blankets. Both of them infused the place with the unconditional love she had never experienced from another human. Sure, it was the love of felines, so not uncomplicated, but it was palpable. The purrs, the looks, the antics: These all were worth the disdain, the distance, and the drama, because Oscar, Tilly and Maxine were family for each other — found and chosen and precious. 

Author’s note: I came across the picture of the cat I’ve named Oscar and I knew I wanted to tell his story. Tilly showed up shortly thereafter and wormed her way in. Maxine is reprised from my earlier flash fiction. It all adds up to a small story that, I hope, reflects the larger role that cats and humans can play with and for each other in this troubled world: consider the number of images we have seen from the war in Ukraine, of people fleeing with their beloved pets, often cats, too precious to leave behind.

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Land acknowledgement: I respectfully recognize that I live on the original lands of Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.

Oscar, cat on ledge Photo by Bogdan Farca on Unsplash 

Tilly, cat under blanket Photo by Mikhail Vasilyev on Unsplash 

Viburnam Lodge Photo by Nick Night on Unsplash