Don't ask me to explain, but in Antigua I discover that Theo has a fascination with palm trees. I like to look at them, watch them sway gently in the breeze, and sometimes imagine I live in a place full time surrounded by these wonderful trees. Theo likes to climb them.
Of course, he denies that, but its clear that Theo's interest in the trees has more to do than with looking or sniffing. I decide early on to nip this in the bud.
"Climbing palm trees is illegal," I tell him.
He looks at me skeptically. And, of course, it's a hard case to make. How else--if not by climbing the tree--would you be able to get the coconuts and dates? He doesn't ask that question, but I see the squint in his eye and almost hear his thoughts as we're strolling along near the villa. We are exactly passing what I now unofficially call "palm tree alley." A row of palm trees greet us as we step out of our villa every morning.
I shoot Theo the "evil eye"--stay away from those palms.
Theo pretends he's not even interested. He's sniffing the air and enjoying the abundant sunshine. But I'm eternally suspicious.
Dan says, "Now look over there. This is an example of a coconut palm. In Antigua, since 2012, thousands of coconut palms have been destroyed by a lethal yellowing. But the island took action and began a restoration project--replanting 1,000 new trees."
Theo casually glances over at the coconut palm.
"And over here," Dan continues, " is the date palm tree. They're very common in northern Antigua (where we are). The date palm was introduced in the 18th century. The Antiguans call this palm tree Nega Oil."
Theo casually glances over at the date palm.
So far, so good. We're on our way to the game room to play ping pong, and my plan is to keep Theo moving along. For a moment, I almost think I'm wrong about him. Maybe he does get the message.
"See, look here Theo." Dan points to the luscious dates that are hanging from the date palm. I have to admit I've never seen a date palm in person before, so I step closer to take a good look.
Later, I realize that Dan's pointing and my stepping closer sends the wrong message. Theo, who seemingly is uninterested, meanders towards the date palm. He begins to sniff the bottom of the tree.
I have a flashback. Two years ago when we were in North Carolina, visiting a conservatory with a palm tree, Chuck got too close to the palm and before I knew what was happening, he was climbing upward.
I gulp. Chuck was twelve years old by then. Theo is three years old. Chuck had a bucket list. Theo doesn't even know what a bucket list is.
But isn't Theo spending too much time sniffing the bottom of this palm tree? He turns around briefly but avoids eye contact with me. Then, in a burst of energy, he shoots up like an arrow headed towards its intended target.
"Theo."
"Look at that kid climb," Dan says in admiration.
"I knew he was going to do something dangerous."
"Oh, he'll be okay. Take a photo. No one will believe this.
Hell, I don't even believe it."
My hand is shaking as I retrieve my iPhone, find the camera icon, try to focus on his fast moving body and click.
Theo, in a flash of sanity, shimmies back down. Exactly the same way Chuck did. His little back legs are spread apart with his back claws firmly entrenched in the tree. He holds on for dear life then jumps down when he's about a foot off the ground.
"Theo, you're in big trouble."
"I did what I had to do. See?" he says defiantly.
What is this about cats? They are so independent. You'd never catch a dog climbing a palm tree!
"Let me see the photo," Dan says.
But there is nothing to see. A big blur. That's all I was able to get. Later, of course, Theo half denies having ever climbed that palm tree.
"I wanted to climb it," he admits, ". . . but--"
"But I said it was illegal."
"Yeah."
Palm tree mania. I have it, and Theo does, too.
"Was it the dates?" I prod. "Is that why you went up there?"
Theo says nothing--a shrug--but if I'm honest, and if I were a cat, I would have done the same thing.
That gangster cat has some skills!!
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