The Tail-wagging Sidekick

The TailEnd Partner

At work nobody really liked Fed they didnt despise him, they just kept their distance. He was sensible, an experienced driver and a diligent worker, but absolutely not the social sort. Even his fellow haulers wouldnt sit next to him, and he liked it that way. One guy had already quit, waving him off with a dismissive hand. The other longhaulers nicknamed him Gloomy, and the name stuck; they even called him by the nickname in their eyes, forgetting his real name altogether.

This particular run promised nothing special. The route was familiar, the cargo ordinary. He was steering, eyes on the road

Then, right at the roadside, something alive wriggled through the grass. He thought about driving pastwhat if it was an animal?but something in his gut made him pull over and investigate.

A huge, striped cat hissed menacingly, looking ready to sell its life for a cheap piece of meat. They say cats have nine lives; this one seemed to have lost a few, barely breathing, its paw bruised, its fur filthy and smeared with blood.

What’s the story, furball? Fed asked, leaning over the creature.

The cat bared its teeth and let out a hoarse meow, clearly saying it didnt need help and that Fed should mind his own business.

I get it, youre proud, Fed muttered, recalling a memory of his grandmas pampered cat from childhoodhow theyd cuddle by the stove and fall asleep to its purr. Those days were gone, but the feeling stayed warm.

Im no catdoctor, but you dont look like youll make it on your own. Theres no shelter nearby, so let me take you to a vet.

Carefully, he lifted the squealing cat and placed it in the back of his rig. The animal squirmed, then settled, as if deciding that things couldnt get any worse.

Diverting from his route, Fed rolled into a tiny provincial town and found a veterinary clinic. The elderly vet spotted the grimy man with a cat and ushered them past the few waiting customers.

Lucky you, kitty, the vet said. Well disinfect, splint the leg and youll be back on the road.

The roads not going anywhere, the trucker protested. Ive got a delivery!

The vet shrugged. Weve got no animal shelter, and its not a kitten. Hes a fullgrown cat, after all!

The cat stared between them, its green eyes boring into Feds soul, making him feel oddly guilty. Should he abandon it now?

Fine, Fed grumbled, heading to the hallway where two nosy ladies were gossiping.

Lenkas daughter ran to me again yesterday, trying to hide from her husband, one complained.

Hard luck for her! the other sympathised. Shes pure gold, and the husbandGod help him! They say he beats her up too

Probably why she didnt go to workshes covered in bruises, the first lady added, glancing at a photo of a man named Nikolai on the wall.

Fed didnt bother with Lenkas drama; hed seen enough misfortune in other peoples lives.

He was handed the cat again. Take him, and hell heal like a dog. In three weeks the splint comes off.

Thanks, Fed said, cradling the feline as he headed back to his truck.

He had no clue what to do with this unexpected gift, but time was already pressing. First, the cargo had to be delivered; the rest could wait.

He strapped the cat onto the sleeper berth and set off again.

A few miles later, two figures waved from the shoulder. A woman frantically beckoned, a little girl clung shyly to her.

Sorry, I dont take passengers! Fed muttered, true to his principle.

Meow! a voice called from behind.

Awake? Fed asked, halfasleep. What do you want?

Meow! the cat repeated, insistent.

Maybe you need a lift? Fed thought. Good thing you warned me, or Id have driven past you and missed the thankyou later.

The trucker stopped, lifted the cat onto the grass, and the animal promptly flicked its tail, confirming Feds suspicion.

Hey! Where are you going? Fed shouted as the woman and girl sprinted toward his truck.

He barely had time to pull away before a panicked mother, dragging her daughter by the hand, barreled up.

Sweetie! Please, take us with you! Its only about thirty milesabout nineteen milesfrom here! she pleaded, eyes wet from crying.

The roads not a taxi service, Fed tried to explain. Take the bus!

Its just one delivery, were late! the woman protested. Give us a lift and well pray for you forever!

The cat, now limping, padded over to the girl, rubbing against her leg. She sat down, stroked it, and the cat purred.

How about I drive you, and you keep the cat? Fed offered. Hes already trying to hitch a ride!

Tears rolled down the womans cheeks.

Wed love that. I work at a vet, but we have nowhere permanent to stay. My aunt lives in the next town; maybe shell take us! she said.

Fed watched the girl pet the cat, noting how frightened yet sweet she was.

He recalled a conversation at the vets officemaybe this was Elena, the woman with the troublesome husband. He didnt probe further, just nodded.

Alright, Ill give you a lift, he said.

Lets go, Verka! the girl chirped.

Fed loaded the cat, the girl settled in the back, the woman squeezed into the passenger seat.

Ill pay, dont worry, she promised, but Fed just smiled.

Fine. You liked the cat, so youre good people. Tell him thanks! he said.

Thank you, cat! the woman shouted, then asked, Whats his name?

Just a cat, Fed shrugged. We barely met him today.

Youre kind! she exclaimed. And you are?

Fed, driver, he grumbled.

Im Elena, this is my daughter Verka, she replied.

Will your aunt take us? Fed asked, genuinely curious.

Hopefully, she sighed.

Give me her number, Fed said, opening the glove compartment and handing over his phone.

She whispered something about a broken husband and no phone, then handed the phone back. Shell take the cat, not me, she said apologetically.

Verka hiccuped, Cat, come back someday, she whispered to the feline.

Fed muttered, Weve already made a deal with the cat, as the cat flicked its tail.

The little girl clung to the cat, then suddenly lunged at Fed, hugging him with both arms.

Verka, you cant do that! Elena gasped.

The dads not around, thats why shes clingy, the aunt muttered.

Fed felt a tug at his heart. Hed never thought about settling downfamily, a wife, kidsuntil this chaotic roadside drama.

Will you visit us? Verka asked, eyes huge.

Ill try, he said, unable to refuse.

She ran off, and Fed drove away, the image of the scared mother and the brighteyed girl stuck in his mind.

He turned to the cat. Where do these tough guys come from, to dump their anger on the weak? he asked. The cat let out a disdainful meow.

Ill explain to him why you shouldnt raise a hand on women and kids! Fed declared, though the cat only meowed in agreement, as if adding its own claws to the argument.

Soon, Fed spotted two men arguing by the roadside, one pulling a gun. Suddenly, a stray projectilelike a cometwhizzed past, hitting the gunmans face.

The cat lunged, claws out, snarling fiercely. While the assailant tried to shake it off, Fed grabbed the gun, pointed it at the attacker.

Hands up! he shouted.

Get the cat off me! the attacker yelled, teeth bared.

Enough! Fed yelled, leaping into the truck with the cat, not letting go of the weapon.

He called the highway patrol; within minutes, the officers cuffed the two crooks, noting that the cat had saved the day.

The patrol officer, after a quick chat, said, Youve got a hero on your hands, mate.

Hero? Fed laughed. Im just a driver with a cat.

The cats yours, right? the officer asked, nodding at the striped feline.

Its mine, Fed said firmly. Were a team.

The officer grinned. Lucky youve got a partner. You took a beating for the cat and it fought back.

Lucky indeed, Fed replied seriously.

Their tale spread on the internet; people recognized the duo, waved when they passed, thanked them. Fed felt something shift inside him, as if the icy roadcoat of his life was melting.

Three weeks later, the splint came off, and Fed drove back to the little town where Elena and Verka lived.

He pushed open the vets door and found Elena waiting.

Oh, its you, she said, eyes wide. I had a dream youd come today!

Dreams work odd hours, Fed replied. Did the cat cause any trouble?

No, the aunt loves us, and Ive filed for divorce, she murmured softly.

Good, Fed said, then, almost without thinking, Youll come see me?

Elenas eyes widened; she opened her mouth, closed it, then whispered, I have a daughter

My cat! Fed shouted, I dont speak poetry, but I know this meeting isnt random. Ill look after you.

The cat meowed in agreement.

Ill think about it, Elena promised.

A month later they married. Fed quit his trucking job and started driving a mobile veterinary van. The striped catnow known as TailEndstill lives with them, watches over Verka, and occasionally sighs, remembering the romance of endless highways from his favorite sunny spot on the couch.

Romance is romance, but who needs a cat to keep an eye on things? At least there are wise cats in the world.