Gatsby on the Bridge

 

Gift from friends on Gatsby's passing

(This is an imaginary encounter between my darling kitty Gatsby who passed in May of 2025 ~ it would have been his 15th birthday today ~ and another kitty on the rainbow bridge. I wrote it for Missy's Mad Challenge where she asked us to use a particular line in our piece. I italicized the line.)

He wasn’t supposed to be there—but then again, neither was I.

I watched the grey and white tuxedo kitty hesitate on the rainbow bridge, his golden eyes confused and fearful. It was too soon for him, as it had been for me. We had been so well loved and pampered that no one expected us to go this early. Though our humans hadn't known each other, they both said the same thing: "You are going to live forever, sweet baby, or at least until age twenty."

Neither of us made it to 20, or even 15. As my gaze met his, we silently exchanged stories. His name was Gatsby, and his kidneys had failed before his 14th birthday. He had such a happy life with his human, and she was heartbroken as he became sicker, but she told him it was OK to go because he was in pain and could no longer enjoy his life. I had a similar story. I reassured Gatsby that he would be at peace now, and his treasured memory would live on with his human. She would always love him, and in his honor she would give another special shelter kitty a loving home. 

Gatsby began to cross the bridge again, his steps more confident and his eyes bright and alert. I could tell we'd become great friends and play together forever as soon as he finished coming over. 

Maybe we were both exactly where we were supposed to be...