This story does not have a happy ending.
The Chuckster does not watch a lot of TV but he has two favorite shows, and both involve cats.
One is called Must Love Cats. And the other -- My Cat From Hell.
Both star cats, of course, and both look at the world of cats from totally different perspectives.
If you want drama, My Cat From Hell is your obvious choice.
Cats who seriously misbehave play the starring role. They are the terror of the household and their owners are desperate for help. That’s where Jackson Galaxy comes in. Not your typical cat whisperer. Tattooed, he arrives with his guitar case filled with cat toys and treats and before the half hour episode is finished, the cat or the guardians of the cat -- as Jackson calls them -- are transformed and peace reigns once again.
Chuckie remains glued to the set during the entire show. And when he learned that Jackson Galaxy was on a ten day tour of the United States, promoting his new book Cat Daddy and that he would be appearing within driving distance from our house in Clinton, New Jersey, at the Clinton Book Shop, well, Chuckie was beside himself to meet his hero.
Now Jackson Galaxy is a star. Even to the small town of Clinton, New Jersey, he attracted over a hundred people on a late Tuesday afternoon. Somehow he lured way too many people into a vintage-style book shop, forced them to cram themselves into a tiny space, which was way too hot, even with the fans whirling away, to hear him speak.
It was magical.
No one brought their cat.
Even though the entire show My Cat From Hell revolves around cats, CATS WERE NOT INVITED.
Chuck did not think that was fair.
And, as usual, he put on his chuck face and that face can be persuasive. He went so far as to hide out in my smart bag, in a vain attempt to smuggle his way into the book shop.
My husband Bob felt sorry for him. “Give the kid a break. Let’s take him with us.”
“There’s no way I can get that cat into the book shop. The place is going to be mobbed.”
“You can try.”
Now, usually, I’m the optimistic, against all odds, kind of person. I tried my best to reason with the belly boy. “Chuck, it’s going to be hot as blazes in there. But if you insist on going, I don’t want to hear a meow out of you. I mean it. Not a sound. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of him. But that’s it. He will not be able to pet you.”
What was I thinking?
When we arrived, we were way in the back. The microphone was not state of the art. It was HOT and STUFFY. But there was magic in the air. Plus, I volunteer for a local cat shelter Tabby’s Place, and the book shop was taking up donations for Tabby’s Place, so that was a big plus.
Jackson Galaxy was cool and funny and just like the way he appears on TV. He spoke for a few minutes before he sat down and began signing books. Despite the fact that Chuck was squished into my smart bag, and sweating, the belly boy listened to his every word and then waited patiently as we inched closer and closer to the front.
Finally, we were the next ones to get our book signed and meet the one and only Jackson Galaxy. My smart bag was opened, and I had a kind of scarf stretched across the top to disguise the fact that Chuck was hiding inside. The plan would have worked if Chuck had kept to his side of the bargain.
He didn’t.
I guess that’s why he’s got this reputation for being a rascal cat.
It dawned on Bob and me at about the same time that Chuck had no intention of remaining in the smart bag while I got my autograph and met the great Jackson Galaxy. Chuck began to squirm big time. He was literally planning to claw his way out. Maybe hop onto the table and plop himself, belly and all, right in front of the cat whisperer. Surprise the hell out of him.
Harvey, the owner, pointed to me. “Okay,” he said. “You’re next.”
Bob was supposed to stand there with my iphone and take the photo.
Now we had to think fast.
Bob handed me the iphone, grabbed the smart bag off my shoulder, and ran toward the front door of the book shop. Now, luckily, it was so hot inside that the owners had opened the double doors in front, so escape outside, through the front, was easy peasy.
Although, I’m sure everyone wondered why the hell my husband was suddenly rushing to stand near the front door.
I, pretending not to notice that my husband was acting crazy, waltzed up calm as could be, holding my Cat Daddy book in one arm and my iphone in the other, and asked Jackson--in a cool twist of irony--to autograph the book to “Kate, Bob and CHUCK.”
Then I shook Jackson Galaxy’s hand and told him how much I enjoyed his show. Of course, I told him ABOUT CHUCK. His biggest fan.
Harvey offered to take our photo. I smiled. I would deal with Chuck later. For now--My Cat From Hell--would just have to get over it.
NEWSFLASH: THERE WILL BE NO NEW WEEKLY BLOG FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY. HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY!
To read more about Chuck and his adventures, log onto my website: www.katelutter.com
Wild Point Island, my paranormal romance, is available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com. Recently it was rated 5 Stars by The E Book Reviewers, who said, "At the very core . . . is a multi-level mystery, with plot twists and turns that you never expected. And there is a deep touching love story that grasped my heart and never let go. This is one book you must go buy now; once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it back down."
