The Furry Sidekick

The TailWagging Companion

Fedor never earned hatred at the depot; he simply gathered distance. A sensible man, a seasoned trucker, and a diligent worker, he was, however, utterly unsocial. Even his fellow drivers shied away from sharing a seat with him, and that delighted him. One foreman tossed him a halfhearted wave and sent him on his way; the longhaul crews nicknamed him Gloomy, a moniker that stuck tighter than his real name.

That mornings run held no omen. The route was familiar, the cargo ordinary. He eased his rig onto the highway, eyes flicking to the road ahead.

Near the shoulder, something alive slipped through the grass, a ripple of fur that seemed to crawl toward the sky. He could have ignored it, but a sharp pang in his chest forced him to pull over and stare.

A massive striped tom emerged, hissing with a ferocity that suggested he was selling his life for a price. Legends said cats have nine lives; this one had clearly lost a few and breathed hard, its paw clutched a wound, its coat slick with blood.

What have they done to you, old cat? Fedor asked, leaning over the creature.

The cats teeth bared, a hoarse mew escaped, as if to say, I need no help; youd be better off staying your own road.

Fedor recognized the proud stubbornness from his own childhoodof the plump housecat that used to curl on the warm stove while he and his brother whispered secrets. Those days were gone, but the memory of gentle purrs lingered.

Im no vet, but I cant let you bleed out here. Theres no shelter nearbylet me take you to a clinic, he said, scooping the cat gently and placing it on the cabs seat. The animal settled, its struggles quieting as if accepting fate.

Veering off the main road, Fedor turned into a sleepy provincial town and found a veterinary practice. The few patients inside stepped aside for the grimlooking driver with his wounded feline. The elderly doctor examined the cat, his brows lifting.

Lucky you, cat, the vet murmured. Well clean you up, apply a splint, and youll be on your way again.

A gruff fellow driver protested, Ive got a delivery! but the vet shrugged. We have nowhere to house an animal, and this one seems almost healthy enough to go on.

The cats green eyes met Fedors, a silent plea that gnawed at his conscience. He felt the weight of a choice: save the creature or stay on schedule.

Fine, he muttered, sliding into the waiting area.

Two elderly women chattered nearby, their voices twisting into a tapestry of gossip:

Lenas daughter fled to my house again, hiding from her husband

Poor thing! Shes pure gold, but the man is a terror, they say!

Its no wonder shes bruised; Nikola is on call today, the other replied.

Fedor didnt linger on their tangled lives; enough of other peoples misfortunes. He thought of a bride who swore to wait forever, only to have her lover vanish before a months end. Life, he mused, was a series of abrupt farewells.

The vet handed the cat back, It should heal like a dogs wound. Come back in three weeks for the splint removal.

Thanks, Fedor said, cradling the animal and heading for the door, uncertain how to handle this unexpected burden. Time pressed; his schedule was already off track. First, the cargo, then the road.

He secured the cat on the sleeper berth and rolled back onto the highway.

A few miles later, two silhouettes appeared on the shoulder: a frantic woman waving, a trembling girl clinging to her.

Sorry, I dont take passengers! Fedor growled, sticking to his rule.

A sudden Meow! echoed from the back.

Whats that? he asked, halfasleep.

Meow! the cat insisted.

Maybe you need a lift? Fedor thought. Good thing you warned me; otherwise Id have left you in the dust.

The truck driver lifted the cat onto the grass; it twitched its tail, confirming Fedors hunch.

Hey, where are you headed? he saw the two dash toward his truck. Before he could drive away, the woman, dragging her daughter, lunged forward.

Please, take us! Its only thirty miles away, she pleaded, tears brimming in the girls eyes. Weve missed our only ride.

Im not a cabbie, Im a longhaul driver! Fedor protested. Take a bus!

We only have one run left, were late! she cried. Help us, and well pray for you forever!

The cat, now limping, padded toward the girl, rubbing its head against her. She pet it, and it purred.

Let me drive you, and you watch the cat? Fedor offered. He loves that attention!

The womans cheeks wet with tears.

I work at a vets office, I love animals, but we dont have a home. My aunt lives nearby; well ask her, she said.

Fedor watched the girl stroke the cat, a delicate child with golden curls, frightened yet trusting. The cat seemed content.

A memory stirred: Elena, a woman whose husband batteredhe recalled the vets words. He didnt probe further, just nodded.

Alright, Ill give you a lift, he said.

The girl squealed, Verka! The woman, Elena, clutched the cat, and they all piled into the cab. The cat settled on the back seat, the girl snuggled beside the woman.

Ill pay, dont worry, Elena promised, but Fedor just grunted, Just drive.

Tell the cat thanks! she said, then asked his name.

Fedor, he growled softly.

Elena, thats me, she replied, my daughters Verka.

Will your aunt take us? Fedor asked, surprised at his own curiosity.

Hopefully, she sighed.

Call her, ask, he said, switching to a familiar tone.

Elena blushed, whispering, No phone my husband smashed it

Do you remember the number? Fedor opened the glove compartment, handing her his phone.

She muttered a hurried explanation to her aunt, words like husband, run, and cat slipping through.

The aunt will take us, but not the cat, she apologized.

Verka hiccuped, Come, cat, youre welcome here, the cat seemed to understand.

Fedor, accepting the impossibility of finding a home for the cat, drove the strangers to the address Elena gave, handing the cat over to the aunt. Verka clung to the feline, kissing its whiskered face, then suddenly threw her arms around Fedor, hugging him tight.

Dont do that! Elena scolded, laughing.

My daughter misses a father, thats why she clings, the aunt muttered.

A pang of sorrow struck Fedors heart. He thought of his own familywife, childrennow a small, curlyhaired girl tugged at his thoughts.

Will you visit us again? Verka asked, eyes huge as saucers. With the cat?

Ill try, Fedor whispered, unable to refuse.

She ran home, and he returned to his rig. The image of the little girl and her frightened mother lingered.

He turned to the cat, Whats the worlds cruelty? the cat meowed disdainfully, as if agreeing.

Fedor felt the cats presence calm his nerves, a rare companion for a lone driver. He confided in it about his army days, politics, his views the cat answered with soft growls.

At the roadside, a chaotic scene unfolded: two men arguing, one leapt onto the highway, waving arms. Help seemed needed.

Fedor, though solitary, remembered the roads law: aid and be aided.

Whats happened? he asked a stumbling driver, opening the door.

Two events erupted together. One man aimed a gun, the other a comet of light streaked past, striking the attacker. The cat lunged, claws bared, tearing at the gunmans face. Fedor seized the weapon, pointing it.

Hands up! he shouted. The attacker yelled, Get the cat away! The second assailant charged; Fedor struck him with a fierce blow, grabbed the cat, and vaulted back into the cab.

He called the road patrol, the numbers flashing in his mind. Within half an hour the police arrived, cuffing the thieves. The officers noted Fedors bravery, saying, The country needs its heroes.

Me? Fedor asked, bewildered. I just kept the cat alive.

A traffic warden shook his head, Youve earned a scar, but youre still whole. You saved a wounded cat.

The cat stared at him, eyes pleading. Mine, Fedor declared. Im a longhaul driver. This is my partner.

The luck of a partner, a fellow officer smiled. Your face is a mess, but you fought like a lion for the cat.

Fedors tale traveled online, the duo becoming folk heroes. Fans waved, thanking them. With the cats arrival, something thawed inside him, as if winter ice melted, letting breath flow easy.

Three weeks later the splint came off; Fedor drove back to the little town, seeking Elena and Verka.

He pushed open the clinic doors and found her waiting.

Oh, its you, Elena said, eyes wide, I dreamed of your truck arriving!

Dreams guide us, Fedor replied, unsure. Is Verka okay?

No, my aunt loves us, Im filing for divorce, Elena whispered, her voice dropping.

Will you come for me? Fedor asked, eyes meeting hers.

She opened her mouth, No phone husband

Fedor handed her his phone, she whispered to her aunt, Take them in.

Verka clutched the cat, Come, kitty, stay here, the cat purred.

Fedor, resigned, handed the cat over, the aunt hugged him, Well keep you, she said.

Days later they married, Fedor left his trucking job, became a driver for a mobile animal clinic. The striped catnow called RoadCatstill lounged on the sofa, watching Verka, sometimes sighing at the romance of endless highways.

The world turned, but wise cats lingered, reminding everyone that even on endless roads, a gentle purr can steer a lost soul home.