by Olivia Bredbenner

Created on: October 08, 2009   Last Updated: October 14, 2009

He sat very still on the distant bookcase looking down at me the stranger in his territory. With piercing green eyes and his display of noticeable reserve, he was obviously just tolerating my presence. His black coat made him look royal . So we just decided to avoid each other.

As we played, he just stared as if standing on guard for the child.. This was my first babysitting job. I about sixteen years of age was very proud of my new position. And was indifferent to the presence of the cat. Even more so, was he of me.

Evan was a delightful child ; tousled blond hair and about three years of age . He loved playing with games that shot balls high into the air. And then after that wore off, he liked building with Alphabet blocks and built them until they were about three feet high. Soon after, they would come tumbling down. Evan would roll on the floor laughing . Well , as you can imagine his laughter was contagious for everyone, but his cat. He looked intently on our play arena and then decided to disappear. Which was just fine with me. Thankfully, when his throne like position; gave way to his stalking pace , I was all too glad to see leave , as his attitude just made me uncomfortable. No way, did I want to befriend him, not with an attitude like that ! .

"He loves you," the Mom said to me, as we smiled at her little tousled blond headed boy. But certainly, not, his cat I thought. Soon I found myself baby sitting for Evan many times during the summer months. Aregular now, so the cat just has to get used to me or did he ? I wondered. There he was again , sitting on his throne, as if fixed in a permanent place. Very much like the ceramic imitations seen on the shelves of home decorating stores.

Evan greeted me at the door and as the parents left for their night out. I was determined to avoid eye contact with him, the cat that is, the cat who again hovered in silence over the room.

As we played. The black cat watched. This time we danced around to a musical CD with Nursery Rhymes. Evan bubbled with delight especially when we sang and danced to "Ring Around The Rosie " when we got to the " all fall down " part. We laughed as we both fell to the floor. In my peripheral vision, the black cat caught my eye, this time he was licking his paw. Not much caring about our frolicking.

"Whats your cat's name ? " I asked Evan. " Nero" he said with a smile on his face. Following his path to the pedestal . Where Evan reached out to pet him. As he lovingly pet his head ,Nero met

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