It is necessary to be happy
When Emily was four years old, her father left the family for another woman. He walked out not long after New Years Day, pausing on the doorstep just long enough to tell his daughter, Im sorry, before closing the door behind him.
Her mother took the news with remarkable calm, almost as if shed expected it. In her family, long-lasting marriages were unheard of. But a few weeks later, one cold night, her mother quietly swallowed all the sleeping pills and painkillers in the flat and fell into an eternal sleep.
In the morning, Emily tried desperately to wake her mum, calling out for a long time. Eventually she ate a little of whatever she found in the fridge and went back to try again. Exhausted, she curled up next to her mum and fell asleep.
January days dont last long, and dusk was already settling when the little girl opened her eyes, shivering. She pulled the blanket higher over herself and snuggled even closer to her mother, but the cold only seemed to grow. It was then that Emily understood the deep, unbearable chill was coming from her mum. Scalding tears streaked down her cheeks.
The front door clicked open in the hallway. Emily darted out. It was Aunt Sophie, her mothers younger sister.
Emily, there you are! Wheres your mum? Ive been ringing all day, why hasnt she picked up? Ive been so worried!
Emily clung to her aunts coat, tugging her towards the bedroom with wide, tear-stained eyes, pointing desperately and crying out. But no sound would come; her mouth opened, her face twisted in grief, with tears and snot streaming down, but there were no words.
Sophie had never managed to have children. Her husband left after five years together, but shed always loved her niece deeplyalmost as though Emily were her own. Naturally, when tragedy struck, Sophie became Emilys legal guardian. She showered her niece with every scrap of love and attention she had, but neither time nor therapy could bring Emilys voice back, not even after three years.
That winter was especially cold. Snow fell thick in Hyde Park, real, crunchy English snow. Emily and her friends spent whole days sledging, building snowmen, tumbling into drifts, and making snow angels.
Time to head home, love. Your clothes are stiff with snow and your gloves are like blocks of ice. Come on, well stop at Sainsburys for milk and pasta on the way, Sophie called, bustling to get ready.
People came and went, doors swung open and shut, but the ginger cat sat calmly by the shop entrance. He looked clever, eyes half closed as if he didnt have a care in the worldhe was just watching, moving his front paws to keep warm. Emily crouched down next to him and gestured for her aunt to go inside without her.
Fine, but dont move, I won’t be long!
Emily gently stroked the cat; he arched his back with pleasure and purred. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her cheek to his fur. Suddenly, her face grew wet with hot tears, and the cat licked them away, sneezing occasionally as he tried.
Oh Emily, dont do that! Hes filthy, he lives on the street, Sophie scolded, taking her by the hand and dragging her towards the car. Emily struggled, trying to pull away, but Sophie kept hold and got her into the back seat.
The ginger cat followed them, sitting by the car and meowing at her.
Its not fair, hes mine now and Im just abandoning him, Emily mouthed to the glass, smearing tears across the window.
Did you just say something? Please, Emily, say it again! Sophie begged, her voice trembling.
We cant leave him. Hell die without me! Emily cried out, her voice returning in a rush right into her aunts face.
Sophie leapt from the car, scooped up the cat, and hopped into the back seat beside Emily. The ginger cat clung to her coat in terror, but the moment he saw Emily, he sprang into her lap, curled up, and went still.
If you want this cat, you can have him. If only youd said so from the start, Id have found you one ages ago, Sophie said, her eyes shining as she smiled.
Life sometimes takes away people we love, but it also gives us the chance to open our hearts againeven if its to a stray cat. Happiness doesn’t always arrive just the way we expect, but its worth letting it in, especially when it comes softly, on silent paws.
