**A Mothers Heart**
«Mum, whos Phyllis? Is she our owner? Then why doesnt she feed us properly?» Small, curious eyes gazed up at Sophie, waiting for an answer. «No, my love, she isnt our owner. Shes just an old, sick woman. She doesnt know what shes doing…» «Mum, will the big cats eat me like they did my sister?» whispered Ginger, trembling with fear. Sophie sighed heavily. «No, my darling, they wont eat you! I promise!» She began licking her beloved, now only child, and slowly, Ginger calmed down and drifted into a soft sleep.
Sophie had been born in the basement of a high-rise block. There had been four kittens. Her mother had been a young catit was her first litter. The moment a new tomcat appeared, she forgot all about her kittens and ran off. Still, Sophie remembered her with gratitude. Despite her flightiness, her mother had given them tenderness. She had nursed them, taught them to eat on their own. After she vanished, the kittens were forced out onto the streets. At first, they stuck together in the courtyard, where kind people sometimes fed them.
Time passed… Her grey brother was hit by a car. Tigger was torn apart by dogs. Sophie mourned them under the rainbow, her tears wetting their stiff little bodies. She stayed with them until the caretaker chased her away. She watched as he scooped their tiny forms onto his shovel and tossed them into the bin. Her sisters fate was unknown.
Growing older, Sophie learned the laws of street life. She kept to herself, stayed invisible.
Then came hell… Phyllis. Sophie had met her by the dumpsters, where the old woman rummaged, stuffing her enormous bag with treasures. Phyllis fixed her with a wild stare and slurred, «Puss, come here, come to me!» No one had taught Sophie to fear toothless old women, so she approached, hoping for food. Suddenly, Phyllis grabbed her under her arm, snatched up her bag, and shuffled towards the flats.
Inside, Phyllis dropped Sophie to the floor. «Youre Sophie now,» she said, then forgot about her entirely. Dozens of hungry eyes turned on her. «Puss-puss-puss!» came Phylliss voice from the kitchen, where she sorted her finds. The cats lost interest in Sophie and rushed to her call.
Sophie looked around in horror. She hadnt imagined two-legged creatures could live like this. Piles of filthy, stinking clothes, towers of unwashed dishes, urine and faeces everywhere, swarms of flies and cockroaches. And catsso many cats. Most were cowed, starved, sick, their eyes haunted. But a few were strong, aggressive, confidentPhylliss favourites. Why she kept the others, even she didnt know.
Thus began Sophies life of tormentstarving, always afraid, watching others sicken and die, seeing grown cats devour newborn kittens Phyllis hadnt drowned in time.
Slowly, Sophie adapted. She found a hidden corner and stayed there.
A month later, terror struckshe was pregnant. There had been a tomcat on the streets, handsome and attentive, but fleeting. Now, in this hell, her children would be born.
She gave birth silently. The kittens were perfect: a black girl, like her father, and a ginger boy, just like Sophie. Pebbles and Ginger…
How she guarded them! But hunger drove the other cats closer, and the kittens, now with open eyes, kept trying to escape their hiding spot.
The memory of that dreadful day haunted her. Exhausted, she had dozed off for just a minute when she heard Pebbles tiny squeakthen the crunch of little bones. Innocent Pebbles had strayed too far. Sophie snarled, her fur on end, ready to leap at the cat devouring her childuntil she heard Gingers voice: «Mum… did they eat Pebbles?» She turned to see his huge, terrified eyes. What would happen to him if she died now?
She stopped, shielding him, whispering through tears, «Well escape. Ill save you!» And she waited.
«Open up, police!» A loud knock rattled the door. Phyllis scrambled about in panic. «Weve had complaints from your neighbours!» They werent leaving. Finally, Phyllis opened the doorjust as Sophie shot past, Ginger clutched in her teeth, darting down the stairs.
William looked into her pain-clouded eyes, tears rolling down his cheeks. He understood what she was trying to say. «Dont worry, Ill take care of him. Hell be safe.» Beside her, Ginger purred softly, licking her face. Sophie was dying. A mothers heart couldnt bear the loss of her daughter. She dreamed of her, calling her to the rainbow… and she let go.
Rain fell the day she died. William buried her in a birch grove, then stood there with Ginger, remembering how theyd come into his life. It had been a dark timehed just buried his parents, lost in a car crash. But duty called. He recalled the mad old woman, the stinking flat… and the ginger cat with her kitten at the door. She couldnt open it, just stared at him pleadingly. He had been the officer who helped them escape.
Hed crouched beside them. «Ran away? I dont blame you. Come live with me. Ive got nothing now… but I wont hurt you, promise.» He opened his car door, and she followed.
He called her «my beauty.» Ginger stayed Ginger. His wounded heart took them in. He bought them the finest beds, the best food, everything to make them forget their nightmare. When Sophie fell ill, he begged her to stay. But her eyes had been distant, as if saying, *Let me go…*
Now Sophie ran across the rainbow, Pebbles at her side. «Mum, what about Ginger? Hes all alone!» Sophie smiled. «Hes not alone. Look…»
The rain stopped. A rainbow arched over the birches. William sighed, lifting Ginger into his arms. He kissed his tear-damp nose. «Well be alright, little one.» And they walked to the car. Two wounded heartsbut not alone. A strong young man and a tiny kitten. Ginger.
