More to Love: A Tiny Story

Artist: Julie Benesh

Truffle was the tiny tuxedo cat I slept with for 23 years. After she died, sleeping alone, I kept dreaming about a calico kitten.

On my birthday, six months after she died, I walked past the shelter and saw that dreamy calico in the window. Her sign said “biter.” She licked my ear, as if she’d been waiting for me, repelling all other prospects. She was six months old.

My Truffle became my Cali. She’d added one pumpkin-y color and, later, weight to throw around.

Until then, never believed in love at first sight, soulmates, reincarnation. Always believed in dreams.