Tuesday Tales: From the Word SIGN

Welcome to another episode of Tuesday Tales. Already September. Back when I was working, I dreaded the end of summer and the start to another school year. Now, I’m using the time to travel before winter sets in. This week, our Tuesday Tales prompt is sign. Every time I see the word the song plays through my head. I’m continuing with Pumpkin Spice. Enjoy!

Knowing I had every right to be there, instead of knocking as the sign requested, I opened the door and ducked as a streak of blue and yellow whizzed by me. Where had she come from? Outside? Impossible.

“Ack!”

The bird stopped and landed on the table beside me.

“Hester, you scared the living daylights out of me,” I scolded. “You’re supposed to be downstairs in your cage.” Home less than four hours and I was losing it, talking to the animals as if I believed they could understand.

The bird cocked her head in a “so what?” gesture, before flying off once more and heading up to the second floor. So much for staying in the storeroom.

“Hello?” I called, inhaling the aroma of fresh coffee and bacon. “Mrs. Sloan?”

A heavyset woman in navy stretch pants and a bright pink shirt, an apron wrapped around her belly, stepped out of the kitchen.

“Can I help you?” She wiped her hands on the flowered apron.

“It’s me, Anca, Selma’s niece.”

The woman’s face crinkled and then split into a grin. Stepping closer to me, she extended her hand. “Little Anca, all grown up.”

What was it these women had with the adjective “little?”

“Call me Elvira. It’s such a shame about your aunt’s fall.” She frowned. “I can’t understand how it happened.”

So, I wasn’t the only one who thought the fall suspicious. Scratching at the door, followed by a loud meow I recognized, indicated Calliope wanted into the house.

“I’ll get it.” I opened the door, admitting the cat. Before I could close it, a raccoon raced into the house and up the stairs. “Oh my God,” I cried. “What was that?”

Beside me, Elvira Sloan was doubled over with laughter, unable to speak.

I glanced up the stairs. The animal I’d mistaken for a raccoon was a large cat. The creature sat on the top step, with its tail wrapped majestically around itself. The parrot perched on the railing beside him. From here, it looked like they were conversing quietly.

“That’s Peanut, the newest member of the menagerie,” Elvira said as soon as she could speak. “He’s a Maine Coon cat, and while most people are surprised the first time they see him, your face…” She started to laugh again. “Did no one mention him to you?”

If they had, they’d left out a few details. This animal was huge!

“I thought he was a kitten.”

That’s it. Stay safe and don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales