World without Cats by Bonham Richards Read Free Book Online Page B

the movie.”
    Vera regarded Noah. I think he’s serious, she thought. Maybe he’s gay. “Is that the one with Keanu Reeves as Don John?”
    “Yep, that’s the one.”
    “Okay. Sounds appealing. Let’s watch Shakespeare.”
     
    “How nice,” said Vera as they arrived at Noah’s house. “Quite a pretty area you live in.”
    “Yes, it is. Great neighbors too.” When he opened the door, Vera was startled by a movement just inside. “What? … Oh, you have a cat. I guess it didn’t occur to me that a guy who uses cats in his research would have one as a pet. What a beautiful chocolate-point. What’s her name?” Vera picked the animal up and stroked her.
    “Bastette,” said Noah. “I’ll go whip up some popcorn.”
    “Ah, the Egyptian cat goddess.” She let go of Bastette, who positioned herself on the back of the couch.
    “That’s right,” Noah called from the kitchen. “Can I get you a drink or something?”
    “Scotch, if you have it.”
    Vera surveyed the living room while Noah popped into the kitchen for ice. All was natural wood, red brick, and deep-pile carpet. An immense bookcase covered one entire wall. A large color photograph of a woman Vera assumed to be Myra was conspicuously displayed on one of the shelves. Klee, Picasso, and Braque prints adorned other walls. Several technical books and periodicals were scattered on and around the large blue-green sofa. Vera smiled when she spied a copy of Shakespeare: The History Plays on the walnut coffee table, opened to Henry VI.
    Noah returned with the drinks. “Here you are. I’ll load the chip.” He took the one-inch square digital video chip out of its minibox and slipped it into the DVC slot.
    As the movie began, Noah sat down on the sofa, leaving a large space between himself and Vera. Hmm. What’s with this guy? she wondered.
    After a half hour or so Noah remarked, “You know, we only met this morning, and yet I feel as if I’ve known you for a longer time.”
    “Yes, I know what you mean,” answered Vera. She had been wondering what kind of advance he was going to use.
    When the movie ended, they spent a half hour discussing it. “Wow. It’s really late,” Noah said. “You could stay here tonight if you like. You can sleep in the bedroom, and I’ll sleep on the couch.”
    Vera was astonished, and then she was hurt. Did he find her so unattractive that he wasn’t even going to make a pass? She said nothing, but put down her glass and slid over to Noah’s side. She gazed wordlessly into his brown eyes. He returned the gaze. Vera put her hands around the back of his head and firmly pulled him to her. They kissed, and then they kissed again. She ran her fingers through his thick, black hair.
    After they were both free of clothing, Noah exclaimed, “My God, you’re beautiful!”
    “You’re not so bad yourself.” Vera hadn’t expected such an athletic body on a scientist. So much for stereotypes, she thought. “Do you work out?”
    “Huh? Oh, mainly, I run.”
    “It shows.” God, he knows what he’s doing . Vera alternately sighed and moaned. She tried to return his lovemaking but was nearly incapacitated with ecstasy.
    Vera gasped, “Do you have a condom?” She didn’t want Noah to know that she had a few in her bag.
    “Uh, yeah, in the nightstand.” Hand in hand, they relocated to the bedroom.
     
     

 
    In Salt Lake City, Leland Meredith, an autistic youth of sixteen, had made little progress since his diagnosis eleven years earlier. On the advice of his psychiatrist, Leland’s parents acquired a pet cat. The doctor told them that animal companions often helped autistic patients to function, especially young ones. The all-black cat—Leland named it Darth Vader—was the boy’s constant companion. His mental outlook improved dramatically. At times, his behavior was such that only an expert could suspect he was autistic. Sometimes, for as long as an hour, the boy would watch Darth’s abdomen move slowly, in and