The "Inky ... Our New Friend" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Heading back from the beach after a full day of catching some rays, reading my Kindle and enjoying the refreshing ocean.  Carol and I rinsed the excess sand off our legs and feet and headed back toward our room at the far end of Ocean Club Resort.  As we passed one of the swimming pools on the property we sighted Inky, the small black cat which we have befriended.  He was on the other side of the property, but as soon as he saw us he hustled across the property to meet us as we headed up the steps to our room.  It was a few days ago he found us during his walks around the resort.  Must have been the cat's intuition that here were people who love animals or perhaps the smell of those who had something in their room fridge they would share with him.  Happens every time we go on vacation.  Doesn't matter where we go, whether it be an island somewhere in the Caribbean or a trip to the Chesapeake Bay for lunch,  somehow a stray cat will find us.  Not always just for a free meal, but for someone to rub against and to feel the human touch of hands.  Friends and relatives know we have a soft spot in our hearts for those creatures who have a hard time in life.  The cat that is now a permanent member of our family, Creamsicle, discovered one snowy winter night years ago that we were a soft touch when he jumped a snow drift and came in the back door.  

And  tonight, as Carol sleeps in the bed next to me as I watch the World Series and strike the keys on my MacBook Air to type this story, Inky sleeps at the foot of her bed.  I'm afraid I am going to upset  him when I put him in the hall, but I don't want to chance keeping him locked in our room overnight without a kitty litter pan. I'm sure tomorrow morning I will reopen the door and the little black ball of fur will be staring me in the eyes knowing full well he will be welcomed into the room for the rest of the can of cat food we bought at the grocery store today.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.