Reindeer Head

Cat-tas-tro-phy

Ray stands before airport security--tense, holding a cat carrier. There is a stirring in the cage. A thin line of sweat slides down his face.

He mutters to himself, "How did I get myself into this?'

How indeed?  He thinks back to the phone call he received over a month ago.

            "Hello"

            "Hi Ray, this is Maggie. I know this is a terrible imposition, but I need your help."

            "That's OK, fire away."

            "I'm packing to leave for Atlanta Georgia to set up a new business.  As you know with his disabilities my son Alex doesn't travel well. Would it be okay with you and Connie if he could stay with you for a month or two, while I get organized to set up an apartment?"

"I'm sure it will be alright Maggie, but I do need to ask Connie.  Can I call you right back?"

"Of course, I'm here at home packing books.  I look forward to your call back."

Ray hangs up the phone and wobbles up the stairs.  He hasn't been able to walk well since he has torn the membrane in the middle of his right knee and he is scheduled for surgery in a few days.

"Connie that was Maggie.  She's asking for our help with Alex."

"Connie asks,"How long?"

"Oh about, maybe three or four weeks."

 

"Ray, I know how badly you feel about Alex's accident, and how much you have always wanted to help that family, and now here's your chance.  But… you're about to have your knee surgery. Will you be able to look after Alex while I'm at work?  It is an enormous responsibility."

"Alex is twenty seven now, he's all right. And as long as he has his cell phone I can always get to him right away, especially now that I am going to be off of work for a few weeks recouping.  I'll cook for everyone while I'm at home, please?

"OK with me Mr. Ray Bear."

It's Tuesday night.  While Ray is at a meeting at the Elks, a moving van parks in front of Connie and Ray's house.  Their son, David, runs up the stairs and breathlessly says,

"Connie, Connie"

"Yes David, are you alright?"

While David catches his breath, Connie notices a little smirk on David's face.

"Connie, there a moving van in front of the house with two guys who say that Maggie has instructed them to leave some things."

"Honey, just tell them to leave it the living room."

"Oh, Maggie called to say Alex would be here tonight."

Later on her way to work, Connie passes her regularly manicured living room. She let's out a shriek. There piled high is a T.V., with a stand, a dresser and an exercise machine and many, many boxes. Duke the family dog is pawing at the box marked, ‘Cat toys.'

"How many weeks did you say Alex was staying?"

As Ray predicted the visit with Alex went well, until the last day.  That is the day the moving guys are coming to get all the "stuff" to ship to Maggie.  Ray is assigned to pick up Maggie's kitty to ship it via carrier with Alex.

 

Ray makes his way to "The Cat House Hotel" in Santa Barbara.  Alex is in the car with him as he drives up to see about the family's pet cat, Cinnamon.  "Cinnamon doesn't relate well with men," Alex says quietly as they go to fetch the cat.

"Good morning.  My Name is Ray Duarte.  I am a friend of the family of Cinnamon who's boarding with you."

"Oh yes, Mr. Duarte.  

The in keeper brings up Cinnamon's account on the computer screen.

"Yes, here we are.  Maggie called and said you would be here today. Little Cinnamon is ready to go. Is there anything else we can do for you?"

"Well, I was just wondering. I understand that "Little Cinnamon" had to get his shots before staying with you."

"That's right Mr. Duarte."

"Well, Cinnamon will be boarding a plane with young Alex later this evening at LAX, I'm wondering if he needs any special papers"

"Where is Cinnamon flying to?"

"Atlanta, Georgia."

"Oh dear, Mr. Duarte, I believe a health certificate may be required by the airlines.  Just a moment, I'll call the veterinarian of record and verify that for you.

The Vet is contacted and verifies that in fact a health certificate is required.  But, Ray is in luck; they can see Cinnamon right away, plus $55.00.

Ray lifts the carrier, "‘Little' Cinnamon, must have like the cuisine at Cat Camp, this guys is heavy." Ray wobbles a bit carrying the case with one hand while maneuvering a cane with the other.

On the way home Ray turns to Alex.  "Now remember, when we get home I am going to leave Cinnamon in his carrier, and place him in the shade in the back yard away from Duke.  Please what ever you do, do not try to pet Cinnamon.  If he gets loose we will never catch him."

"Roger Dodger, that's an affirmative Captain Ray."

The ride home takes only ten minutes and Ray places Cinnamon in the shade out in the back yard away from the dog. 

"Alex, I'm going to put your luggage in the trunk of the car and I'll make a nice cool spot for Cinnamon in the back seat with you.

Alex responds, "Oakie, dokie."

With his head inside the trunk yanking suitcases, Ray suddenly notices Alex out of the corner of his eye. The young man is making his way double time around the side of the house with a rather concerned look on his face.  Ray already knows what has happened.

"Alex?"

"Ah, Ray, I need your help to catch the cat."

Ray makes his way to the backyard. Cinnamon is out and under one of the trees.  He does a double fake and passes Ray and Alex bolting to the front yard.  Ray wobbles with cane in hand double time as he thinks to himself – what am I going to tell Maggie. He also sees 51 days of cat boarding and a health certificate going up in flames right in front of his eyes. Ray is able to shoo the kitty towards the backyard, and tells Alex to open the back door of the house.  Successfully they are able to scoot him into the house.  Alex closes the back door as Ray thinks to himself – I'm getting to old for these Reindeer games.

Ray immediately gets on the phone and calls his good friend and Elk Brother, Frank.

"I need your help man, Maggie's cat is loose in the house, my knees are killing me and we have to leave for the airport in less than hour."

Having heard what has happened, Frank starts laughing, "Smokey is here visiting, and you will have re-enforcements shortly."

It takes only a few minutes from the "Call of Distress" for the 7th Cavalry to arrive. As they are walking up to the house Frank and Smokey are both laughing quite hard over Ray's dilemma.  With the help of Alex, the Elks, and God, the clawing beast is caught and placed into his carrier just about the time Connie arrives home from work.

"Mums the word guys, or both my legs will be broken!"

The fraternity of the "cat nabbers" agrees.

At the airport Alex's luggage is checked in.  A boarding pass for Alex and security passes for Ray and Connie are issued.  Next comes the check-in for carry-on luggage.

There are six security officers at attention to process only a handful of the passengers.  One of the officers addresses Ray as he places Cinnamon's cat carrier on the X-Ray conveyer belt.

"Excuse me sir, you can't keep the cat in the carrier.  We have to X-Ray the carrier only."

"WHAT?"

"Oh no, no way!  You can just go ahead and run-em through that little tunnel of love together."

The officer, flatly says,

"We can't do that sir."

"Why not?" 

Ray responds incredulously his teeth flashing with an over expressive smile; lips stuck to his gums, he liltingly continues, "Just consider it to be a new type of CAT SCAN!"

The monotone one continues,

"You have to hold the cat, sir."

Ray changes his tone to one of desperation.

"You don't know this animal. He's practically wild, probably half Bobcat.  He already got loose once today; and if he gets loose again, I ain't chasin him.  My knees are bad.  I just had surgery!

Sir, I'll have to ask you to step over here!

Ray breaks down,

"I can't do this… if he gets loose, he's yours.  Just consider yourselves the owners of a new airport mascot."

All of the security personnel want to see what Cinnamon looks like, as they one by one lean with furrowed brows to peak into the carrier.

Rays voice inflections fail to achieve his goal as the monotones continue.

"Just hold the cat close to you, sir."

By now all of the security personnel have gathered around.  They push each other aside to peak into the deep recesses of the carrier.  They are waiting to see what the fiend-lion looks like.

 

"Go ahead, sir take him out. Hold the cat close, and walk through the scanner arch."

Ray unable to convince security of the perils ahead reaches in and firmly grabs the cat from the nape of his furry neck.  He thinks to himself…tightly, tighter, don't let him wiggle away. 

Slowly the cat emerges, motionless.

Oh my God, I've killed him."  But then there is purring and Cinnamon blinks his green eyes and bats his lashes.  He is as calm and docile as could be.

 

            Ray stands there tense, sure that the cat is about to explode into a violent frenzy. Cinnamon nuzzles Ray's chest as if to say… I'm a sweet kitty; I have no idea what this man is talking about.  Ray holds the cat at arms length as he passes through the detection arch way.

            "Hold the cat close to you sir."

            "This is close!"

            At last Alex and Cinnamon board the plane.

            "That wasn't so bad, honey."  Connie says smirking, "It's amazing what you can squeeze into four little weeks.

            "We squeezed 51 days, five hours, 23 minutes and 13 seconds into these four weeks," Ray says checking his watch!

            "I never did like that new math", Connie replied!

 

About the Author

Ray Duarte, RN, a nephrology specialist and researcher, has published in medical journals and lectured at national medical conferences. One of his articles was referenced in the New England Journal of Medicine.  After publishing thirty abstracts and nine manuscripts in his field, he has changed his focus from technical to creative writing. His story "Forever Smile" was published in the New York Times best selling series, Chicken Soup for the Soul - Love Stories (February 2008). He is the research expert at  www.babyboomertalkradio.com.  Enjoy getting to know Ray better by listening to Radio Interview link at http://www.rayduarte.com/  And please consider reading Ray's contributing story to Arlene Uslander's and Brenda Warneka's newly published book "The Mystery of Fate: Common Coincidence or Divine Intervention?" There are 53 great true stories of real people who celebrate LIFE from all around the world! http://www.thefatesite.com/index.htm

Daily Origami: 182 - Christmas - Reindeer Head