In town, Tyler found a furniture shop and looked at washing machines. There were more choices than expected. After spending an hour with the salesman and armed with several catalogues Tyler moved to the bedroom section without purchasing a washing machine. He did purchased two new pillows, another blanket that took his fancy, new linen and a large square yellow pillow Tyler considered the cat might like to sleep on. On impulse he also purchased a small microwave oven the help prepare meals quicker than the old oven. With his items packed into his car Tyler made his way to the supermarket.

There didn’t seem to be much the cat didn’t eat. Everything Tyler had given that him had been cleared from the plate. Tyler purchase more vegetables to make a soup. Extra eggs and flour and more milk for the cake Tyler hoped to make. When Tyler arrived at the checkout Martha once more served him.

“Good morning, Martha.” Tyler greeted her.

“Well, good morning to ya. You living in that haunted house?” Martha asked.

“Word gets around quick them?” Tyler asked.

Martha shrugged as she scanned Tyler’s items.

“I do and it’s not so much haunted but there is a cat living there who believes he owns the place.”

“A black cat?” Martha asked.

Tyler gave a quizzical look. “Yes, it is.”

Martha nodded then, like she knew something Tyler didn’t.

“How did you know it’s black?” Tyler asked as Martha told him the total of his bill and Tyler handed over his credit card.

“It’s always black.” Martha replied.

Before Tyler could question her, the credit card machine beeped, declining Tyler’s transaction. Tyler glanced at the small machine in Martha’s hand, surprised. It had work no more than thirty minutes before.

“Ya’ not paying ya’ bills.” Martha asked.

“Something like that.” Tyler replied taking the card and passing Martha another. This one too declined. He gave Martha an awkward grin and paid cash instead.

“Have a good day.” Martha replied handing Tyler his change.

Tyler nodded his farewell as he wheeled the shopping cart to his car. The decline of his credit cards had shocked him. Although it occurred to Tyler it may happen, he never expected it would be so soon. With the shopping packed in the car, Tyler sat in the driver’s seat; hand on the wheel as he stared into space.

His chest tightened and his eyes welled up, as he realised they had now cut him off. Warm tears cascaded down his face and Tyler bitterly wiped them away before starting the car. He didn’t need them and would manage on his own. If they tried to force him to leave the house, he would contact his Aunt Elizabeth; she was part owner of the house. Tyler had a business degree; he’d find a job in town and start again.

It had not been his intension to purchase more wine but he did. Another three bottle should get him by over the next few nights. On his way out of town, Tyler also stopped by the newsagent, purchased a newspaper and a gay magazine. Tyler hoped they might distract him in the events although Tyler was sure he’d need to keep the cat away from the bedroom. His company was a little intimidating.

The silent drive home reinforced further the loneliness Tyler experienced. Memories of his parent’s and Damien seemed a lifetime ago, yet it was a little over two weeks and no contact made. Every attempt Tyler made to remove focus on his circumstances only embedded further the situation he was in.

Upon returning home, something about the old house and the black cat waiting for him inside lifted Tyler spirits. When he unlocked the door and opened it, he called out, “I’m home.”

The cat stalked out from the kitchen. Tyler realised the cat’s attitude had not changed in the time Tyler had gone.

“Come on, don’t be like that?” Tyler said. “I promise I didn’t buy you a collar, but I did get you something.”

The cat came to sit on the first step of the stairs, watching Tyler.

“Let me bring everything in, then I’ll get us lunch.”

With the food, wine and microwave box deposited on the kitchen table, Tyler took the pillow, blanket and magazine and newspaper up stairs. Back in the kitchen, Tyler put the food away and left the red wine in the corner of the room. Tyler then removed the microwave from the box and placed it near the power point, which was right where the cat sat.

The hiss from behind Tyler didn’t surprise him.

“Stop complaining.” Tyler said over his shoulder, only to see out the corner of his eye the cat now sitting on the table.

“Oh, it’s like that, is it? Well, there are two other chairs so you can sit anywhere you want.” Tyler glared back at the cat then smiled and returned to the microwave. After setting it up, Tyler said, “Now we can do more with our food. You wait and see, this won’t be so bad.”

The cat continued to glare as Tyler moved towards the lunch he purchased. Martha’s words came back to him and a shiver ran down Tyler’s back. It wasn’t worth thinking about, he told himself and removed the two vegetarian pasties he purchased, cutting a small portion for the cat. Two minutes in the microwave, he laid both plates on the table.

“See how quickly it was to heat lunch.”

The new seating arrangement now consisted of the cat sitting across from Tyler on the table. As Tyler watched the cat sniff the pasty, Tyler realised they had nothing to drink. He retrieved a bowl and filled it with water, placing it beside the cat’s plate. For a moment, Tyler considered opening a bottle of wine but thought better of it. Best he left it for the evening, given Tyler suspected his nightmares would haunt him without it.

Once Tyler had cleaned up after them, he picked up the cat, and said, “Before you try to hide again, let me show you what I brought you.”

Tyler felt the cat tense in his arm and reassuringly; Tyler stroked the back of the cat.

“Now, don’t be like that. I promise, you’ll like this present.”

As Tyler climbed the stairs, he raised the cat’s face to his lips and murmured, “I missed you while gone. Tell me you missed me a little.”

The cat nuzzled against Tyler’s chin and Tyler gave the cat a gentle squeeze.

“Thank you.”

In the bedroom, Tyler placed the cat on the bed and holding up the large square pillow said, “What do you think? I know you like that rug, but it can’t be comfortable. You could use this instead.”

The cat sat and stared at Tyler.

“Look,” Tyler placed the pillow on the bed, “It’s soft and comfy and you’ll love sleeping on here.”

The cat continued to stare and Tyler moved the pillow over to sit down.

“Fine, be like that but don’t say I never buy you anything.”

Tyler looked down at the cat not sure what to expect. What he never imagined was the cat rising, walking over to the pillow and touching it with his paw.

“See, it is comfortable. I knew you’d like it.”

Tyler realised he was possibility showing the first signs of insanity but he reached out and patted the cat. Any company was better than no company at all.