A Tale of Two Cats

Sassy. Scottish Fold, indoor cat, queen of everything she surveys. She has spotted Pirate through the glass and is doing that thing cats do — back arched, nose wrinkled, a slow hiss that says you do not belong here. On the other side: Pirate. One eye, scarred leg, perpetual hunger. She is not hissing back. She is just looking at Sassy — quietly, almost hopefully — as if some small gesture of approval from this pampered stranger might mean something.