Joseph Lazzara had lived 79 good years. He was a retired mathematics professor who was happily married to his wife and loved by his children and grandchildren. However, on the eve of his 80th birthday he was unhappy with his age and what he thought it represented.  Rather than feeling excitement for what could be, he thought about what no longer was.  Instead of planning for the future, he preferred to dwell on the past.  Joseph still had hopes and happiness but he didn’t often remember to dream.

Joseph’s faithful companion was his cat, a big gray and white tabby named Morris.  Morris stayed by his side, keeping him company throughout the day, and was a source of great contentment. 

One morning after brushing Morris, he looked at him and said, “I’m an old man now Morris and I don’t like it one bit.  I have a big birthday coming up – eighty.”  He paused for a moment and exclaimed, “Shit, I don’t even like the sound of it.”  Joseph sighed and said, “What I wouldn’t do to have 9 lives like you, my friend.”

Morris turned to look at him and, to Joseph’s shock, he replied.

 “Joe, I would rather trade 8 of my lives, to have just one like yours.”

Joseph quickly dropped the brush and stood up.  “My god,” he exclaimed, “I must be losing my mind.” Frightened, he started towards the door to call for his wife.

“Wait Joe!” Morris continued, “Nothing is wrong with you.  Think for a minute, you’ve always known cats are better than people.  Well, you were right!  We are.”

Joseph paused for a moment and said, “Assuming that’s true, and I’m not going crazy, why talk to me now?  Why wait for all these years?” 

Morris replied, “Honestly Joe, I haven’t needed to speak to you before now.  You’ve always taken wonderful care of me.  You’ve given me special food, kept my water-bowl full, and brushed me just the way I like it.  You even make the trip to the litter box every day.  I can’t stay silent,” he continued, “Because I really hate to see you depressed, especially for all the wrong reasons.”

“What do you know about my reasons Morris?”  Joseph asked, sitting back down next to his friend.

Morris answered, “You are letting your age get you down and think you don’t have much time ahead of you. With all due respect Joe, I know you’re smart (I sit there when you do all those math problems) but you really have no idea.  Nobody ever knows how long they have in their life- not even you.”

Joseph thought for a moment and conceded, “I know you’re right Morris.  I just don’t like the feeling of being old.  It’s not very…pleasant.”

 “Look Joe,” Morris said, “You are in better shape than owners I’ve had who were decades younger than you.  I’ve lived with men in their 50’s and 60’s who can’t jog like you do, are three times your size, and in poor health. Heck, even I’m pretty overweight (not that I want you to cut down on my food).”

 “I’m fortunate to be in good health,” Joseph replied. “But I still can’t count on a life beyond this one.”

Morris said, “Look, I’ve had it easy with you and I really hope my other lives will be the same.  However, in some I could be a stray and then I won’t be very happy and certainly won’t reach eighty!  More importantly, I won’t do anything of real value and will be loved by just a few. While you on the other hand,” Morris explained, “Have done very important things in this one life of yours and been loved by many people.”

He went on, “Both your parents adored you, while I never even knew my father and my mother only stayed with me a short time.  I was really just abandoned in an alley before someone finally took me to the shelter where your wife found me.  Even after all these years, I’ve never fully gotten over it.”

“I always said you had a hard start Morris,” Joseph said, “But that’s the way it is for cats sometimes and unfortunately life isn’t always fair.”

“True,” acknowledged Morris, “But the great thing about any bad situation is that it can always get better. Who would’ve thought a scared kitten from an alley could end up on this comfortable couch talking to you? ”

He went on, “Unlike me, as a human you’ve had great friends; however, if I see another cat the last thing I want is to befriend it.  You’ve even had one friendship which has lasted over sixty years!” 

“That’d be Anthony,” conceded Joseph, “Did I ever tell you how we met?  I heard him playing the piano back when we were boys in Brooklyn and we became friends right away.”  Joseph smiled at the memory.

“You’ve been a soldier Joe, who served his country and traveled the world!” said Morris, “My only journey has been from couch, to food bowl, and back again.  And we both know that’s hardly a trip I’ll be saluted for taking,” Morris said.

“Being in the army changed me in so many ways Morris,” Joseph said, “It was good for me and taught me things I never would have learned staying in Brooklyn with my parents.”

Joseph laughed and said, “That reminds me Morris, sometime I’ll have to tell you about my French girlfriend.”

“That’s something else you have over me Joe,” Morris replied, “I’ve never had a girlfriend and, not that I hold this against you, but don’t even want one thanks to that little operation you gave me awhile back.

“You’ve also been a terrific teacher who influenced the lives of many thousands of students during your career, “Morris pointed out, “Now that’s an amazing accomplishment!”

“Well I enjoyed the subject matter Morris,” Joseph explained, “And was happy to share it with others.” 

“Speaking of the subject Joe,” Morris said, “Mathematics has interested you for your whole life, while I get tired of chasing a toy mouse after only a few minutes. I wish I had something I enjoyed like that and so do many humans.”

“Now that I know you can talk Morris, maybe I can try showing you some simple math,” Joseph offered.

 “Thanks, but I’d rather sit on your paper or knock a pen onto the floor.  I may talk but am still a cat” Morris replied, “And did you forget you are a musician? You’ve played the piano since you were a child. In fact, anytime I hear Rhapsody in Blue – in this life or next, I’ll think of you. The only music I make is by meowing, which most people don’t think isn’t very musical.”

“My wife would probably agree with that Morris.”  Joseph admitted.

 “And where you’re really fortunate is in your family Joe.  You’ve been married for over forty years, while I’m a lone cat. You have two grown children who love you as their parent and like you even more as their friend,” Morris said, “I’ve never had kittens and, even if I do in another life, it won’t be in my nature to know them.”

“In that I couldn’t agree with you more Morris,” Joseph said, “I’ve always said a man without a family doesn’t have much of anything.”

“And don’t forget your grandchildren Joe,” Morris said, “You have five who are crazy about their grandpa.”

“I do love them,” Joseph said with a smile, “One of my grand-daughters is even a cat-lover like me Morris.”

He paused and said, “Look, I know I’ve been very lucky.  I’m grateful for my family and they give me a lot of happiness. But Morris, it’s thinking of what’s ahead that gets to me,” Joseph explained, “Or worse…what might not be ahead.”

Morris replied, “Joe, we’ve been friends for a long time and hopefully will be together for many more years.  However, it’s not likely I’ll speak to you again so think carefully about what I’m saying now.  You know you’re fortunate to have lived such a wonderful life.  But you need to believe that you still have many possibilities for the future. Approach each day with enthusiasm and look forward – not backwards. Nobody ever knows how much time they have so make the most of yours!  What will be at the end is a great mystery; however, it may very well be a new beginning. It may turn out that you do have another 8 lives or even more….only time will tell.” 

Joseph sat quietly for awhile thinking about what had happened.  Then he got up, brushed himself off and said, “Morris, on a day when cats can talk, I have to believe that anything really is possible.” Then he smiled and said with resolve, “I might as well listen to you.”

Morris jumped down from the couch and Joseph said, “Morris wait!  Promise me one last thing.”

 “What’s that Joe?” Morris asked, looking back over his shoulder.

“Before my 90th birthday, I think we’re going to have to talk again.”

Morris gave a meow of agreement and walked out the door.  

Copyright Cathy Predmore, 2010.  All rights reserved.