Monty and the Ninety-Nine Moons

Drama about a cat and his influence on a desperate man.

MONTY AND THE 99 MOONS

There was a serene image of a beautiful full moon, its pale glow reflected on the calm surface of the water below. As the moonlight shifted, it revealed the reflection in a pair of sad eyes�"those of KYLE, a 24-year-old man, struggling with alcoholism. Life had defeated him; his many attempts to overcome addiction had ended in failure.

KYLE stood alone on a desolate bridge, the world around him quiet except for the occasional whisper of the wind. His gaze moved from the ethereal moon to the dark waters beneath the bridge. He stepped onto the edge of the bridge railing, a deep breath filling his lungs. A single tear escaped and traced a path down his cheek.

Suddenly, a sound broke the silence�"a desperate, faint meowing. KYLE hesitated, trying to ignore it. The cry came again, more urgent. He climbed down from the railing, curiosity piqued, and followed the sound.

In the shadows nearby, he discovered the source of the commotion: a small, skinny, grey tabby cat, besieged by two large raccoons. The cat cowered, yet ready to fight for his life.

KYLE whistled sharply, trying to scare the raccoons away. They paused momentarily to glance at him but then resumed their attack on the little cat. KYLE sighed and hesitated, uncertainty weighing him down.

He took a tentative step towards the commotion then stopped, glancing back towards the edge of the bridge. For a moment, the pull of his earlier despair fought to hold him in place.

Gathering his resolve, KYLE turned away from the edge of the bridge with determination. He clenched his fists tightly, summoning the strength to act. Steeling himself, he moved quickly to aid the cat. As he approached, the raccoons scattered and retreat into the darkness.

The small, frightened cat darted behind a nearby trash can, wary of KYLE's approach. KYLE bent down and extended his hand then hesitated, pulling it back momentarily as if unsure whether to proceed. The cat peeked out cautiously from behind the trash can, its eyes large and apprehensive.

In those eyes, KYLE saw a familiar sadness, a fear of the world that mirrored his own. Finding a sense of recognition and understanding, he reached out again. Tentatively, the cat, barely bigger than a kitten, emerged from the shadows and gently pressed its head against KYLE's open palm.

 

Kyle carefully picked up the cat with both hands, making sure to avoid bringing it too close to his body to prevent causing it any additional distress. As he lifted the cat, he noticed how lightweight the thin, little creature was. Its fur was dirty, and there was a mucous-like substance around its eyes.

The poor animal looked beaten up, but then Kyle heard the loud purring emanating from its tiny body and couldn't help but smile.

As he continued to hold the cat, their eyes locked, and in that moment, the cat saw the reflection of the moon in Kyle’s eyes.

Kyle felt a spark of emotion�"a good one�"something he hadn’t felt in a long time. However, he quickly dismissed it, as he had a plan and didn't want any distractions. He gently placed the cat on the ground, gave it one last glance, and turned to walk back towards the bridge.

With his sights fixed on the edge of the bridge, he focused intently on his destination. One foot in front of the other Suddenly, he stumbled; something had crossed in front of his feet.

Looking down, he saw those big, mucous-covered eyes staring up at him. He closed his eyes and made a fist, ignoring the little cat as he continued on his path.

 

Once again, something made Kyle stumble. This time, knowing what it was, he didn’t want to look down. He tried to shoo the cat away, but the little creature started to emit tiny cries that tugged at his heart. Reluctantly, he stepped toward to the edge of the bridge. but the cat continued to rub against his legs as Kyle walked.

Despite his efforts to ignore the cat's pleas, he couldn't bring himself to abandon it. He finally picked the cat up and put it on his shoulder. As the cat rubbed against Kyle’s head, he heard the soft gurgling of its tiny stomach, a clear sign of hunger.

Kyle glanced up once more at the beautiful moon above and then down at the water below. With the cat perched on his shoulder, he began to walk away from the bridge.

As Kyle walked, he checked his pockets for any loose change�" anything that could buy a meal for his new little companion. He approached a convenient store, but before entering, he gently moved the cat from his shoulder into the cozy confines of his zippered hoodie, soothing it with a quiet "shh" as he stepped inside.

 

Navigating through the aisles, he paused briefly in the liquor section, glancing at the small amount of change he had before continuing on. Soon, he found himself in the pet food section and spotted a can of tuna specifically for cats. The cat peeked out from inside the hoodie and let out a small meow. Kyle quickly shushed him and pushed him back out of sight.

He examined the price tag and realized he didn’t have enough money. Despite this, he decided to take the can to the cashier. 

The cashier was an old, bald, and angry-looking man. As Kyle handed over his money, the cashier counted it, his expression remaining stern. Just then, the little cat’s head poked out from inside Kyle’s old, dirty hoodie. The old man glanced at the cat. Then, perhaps feeling a twinge of sympathy, took some spare change from the register. He handed Kyle the can and directed him toward the exit.

With a spark of joy in his eyes, Kyle happily exited the store, grateful for the unexpected kindness.

Once outside the store, Kyle scanned the area for a place to sit. He noticed an old wooden bench just a few feet away and made his way over. Sitting down, he gently pulled the cat out of his hoodie and placed it on the table. He then opened the can of cat food and set it next to the cat, expecting it to eat immediately.

However, the cat seemed uninterested in the food. Instead, it focused on showing affection to Kyle, rubbing against him and trying to get picked up. Kyle attempted a few times to guide the cat's head closer to the food, but the cat, despite its apparent hunger, continued to seek Kyle's attention instead.

Realizing the cat wanted something more than food at that moment, Kyle decided to give in. He began to gently stroke the cat's cheeks and offered soothing pets along its dirty fur, from head to tail. Feeling the comfort and connection it sought, the cat seemed satisfied. Finally, it turned its attention to the food, eating with vigor.

After finishing its meal, the cat moved to the far corner of the bench and began to clean itself in that graceful manner that cats naturally possess. Kyle watched the tiny, dirty creature with a newfound sense of usefulness, a sense of being needed, a feeling unfamiliar to him until now. He rested his elbows on the table and his face in his palms, admiring the cat as it continued to clean itself.

For a brief moment, Kyle was lost in a tranquil trance, appreciating the simple, calming presence of the feline.

However, the cat soon redirected its attention back to Kyle, meeting his gaze. This brought Kyle back to reality, and he remembered he had to continue with his plan. 

Reluctantly, he stood up and turned away from the cat, intending to leave.

As Kyle began to walk away, the cat had other plans. Not wanting to part ways, it leapt onto Kyle's old, dirty jeans and climbed up until it perched comfortably on his shoulders once again.

Kyle found himself at a crossroads�"should he postpone his plans to savor this unexpected companionship, or should he move on and leave the cat behind? The thought of ignoring this tiny creature seemed impossible. So, with a gentle smile, he lifted the cat with both hands, raising it toward the sky. As he did so, a name began to form in his mind.

While gazing upward with the cat in his grasp, Kyle caught sight of the moon, which inspired him with the name "Monty." He said the name out loud, and the cat responded with a loud meow. Pleased, Kyle repeated the name "Monty," and again, the cat meowed in return. This exchange confirmed the bond between them.

Cradling the cat close to his chest, Kyle gently stroked its fur. In that moment, a new plan began to take shape.

Kyle gently placed Monty back into his hoodie, allowing the cat's head to peek out as they began their walk. Together, they moved through the night, crossing a bridge illuminated by the moon's glow. The journey was calming. Each step brought them closer to a sense of companionship that neither had anticipated.

Eventually, they reached a park where Kyle found a bench to rest. A sudden cold breeze swept over them, causing Monty to retreat further into the warmth of the hoodie. Instinctively, Kyle curled into a small ball, drawing his knees closer to his chest and wrapping his arms around Monty to shield him from the cold.

 

While Kyle had experienced many chilly nights before, this one felt different. Despite the biting cold, he was comforted by Monty's presence. The realization that he was no longer alone brought him a quiet happiness, as he and Monty shared this moment of warmth and connection.

 

The following day, Kyle woke up to the sun's touch on his face. As he opened his eyes, he remembered his little companion. He straightened himself on the bench and checked inside his hoodie for Monty but didn’t find him. After looking under the bench, he stood and surveyed his surroundings for Monty, but Monty was nowhere to be seen. Kyle face shifted from worried to disappointed, feeling alone once again. 

Kyle sat down, exhaling deeply, as if acknowledging this was a sign to proceed with his plan. Suddenly, he heard a playful rustling in the nearby bushes. He followed the sound and discovered Monty playing with a dry leaf. He stood there, enjoying the sight, relieved that Monty hadn’t run away.

Kyle patted his shoulders as if signaling Monty to climb up.

Monty, behaving as though he had been trained, ran to him, jumped onto Kyle's dirty jeans, and climbed up to his shoulder.

The day had just begun, and Kyle felt a sense of contentment, even though they had nowhere to go. He relished the warmth of the sun as he approached the bridge. Looking up, he noticed the moon had vanished, and the remnants of the previous night had begun to fade. When he reached the bridge railing, he paused to take in the horizon�"a breathtaking view he had never fully appreciated, despite seeing it many times before.

 

Suddenly, a gurgling sound from Monty's stomach, quickly followed by a similar rumble from his own, brought him back to reality. With no money and a growing hunger, an idea began to take shape in his mind.

He recalled the “Help wanted" sign from the store window where he had bought food for Monty the night before. Before heading there, he attempted to tidy himself, using his fingers to comb through his unruly hair. As he walked past a parked car, he caught sight of his dirty face in the tinted window. Feeling the need to wash up, he decided to walk under the bridge to find some water.

At the river’s edge he kneeled down to scoop some water, and examined his reflection. He saw a pale, thin young man with red curly hair and large green eyes looking back at him. For the first time, he viewed himself differently, as if he was discovering a hidden potential within himself. This day didn’t feel like any other; it felt like a rebirth. He realized he wanted something more from life and was finally ready to work for it. Yet he wondered where this newfound perspective was coming from. He shouldn’t have even been experiencing this day at all; his plans from the night before could have led to a much darker outcome. That reflection in the water could have signified a life extinguished. But here he was, alive and filled with a sense of purpose. The weight of that realization sank in, each meaning resonating within him.

After rinsing his face and hands and brushing the dirt off his clothes, he walked to the store with Monty on his shoulders. He felt unsure, nervous, and afraid of rejection, as that was all he had known all his life. But now he felt firm because fear wasn’t going to stop him this time. Fighting for Monty felt more important than fighting for himself. As he arrived at the store, he paused for a moment. 

He grabbed Monty and placed him on the outside table where they had been the night before. With a gesture of his finger signaling Monty to stay there, Kyle took a few steps backward to ensure Monty stayed on the bench. But as soon as he moved farther away, Monty dashed off the table. Before Monty could run up to him, Kyle stopped, and with a firm face and posture, signaled Monty back to the table, saying "stay." Miraculously, Monty understood and reluctantly jumped back up onto the table.

As Kyle entered the store, the old man at the register glanced at him. He knew Kyle, though not by name, as a regular customer. Before last night, the only thing Kyle bought from the store was liquor. It was a surprise and a relief to the old man that Kyle hadn't bought liquor the night before. When the old man saw him there again, he knew it was too good to be true. The old man had sympathy for Kyle because Kyle was young, and despite his addictions, Kyle had a calm nature. He never spoke much and was never seen smiling, always alone�"except for last night. When he was able to get food for his little friend, there had been a spark in Kyle’s eyes.

Kyle grabbed the "Help Wanted" sign from the window and brought it to the old man at the register. The old man looked at Kyle with surprise. He took the sign from Kyle, placed it on the counter, and tapped his fingers on top of it, as if trying to make a decision.

Outside, Monty had his gaze fixed on the entrance door, eagerly waiting to see Kyle exit the store. Suddenly, the door opened, and there was Kyle. Monty’s ears perked up. When Kyle looked at Monty, Kyle’s serious face turned into a big smile, and with both hands, he gave Monty a thumbs up. Monty then ran toward Kyle, jumped into Kyle's open arms. As Kyle held him close against his chest, Monty began to purr and rub fiercely against Kyle’s face.

The next day, Monty again waited for Kyle on the beach. When Kyle exited the store, he was carrying some trash bags, which he took behind the store. There, Kyle spotted two big raccoons, similar to the ones he had encountered the night he found Monty. He dropped the trash bags on the ground and startled the raccoons, causing them to scurry away.

 

Just then, Kyle felt Monty’s body rubbing against his legs. Concerned for Monty’s safety, he attempted to bring him inside the store. However, as he was about to enter, the old man shot him a disapproving glance that made Kyle hesitate. Reluctantly, he took Monty back to the outside bench and said, “Stay,” before turning back toward the store. While Kyle began restocking the fridge with beverages, he frequently glanced outside to ensure Monty was still where he had left him.

 

The night had come with a beautiful full moon. It was nice and quiet except for the occasional sounds of crickets and the occasional cars speeding by. Monty was focused on a noise coming from the other side of the road where there were just weeds and some trash left behind by passing cars. His ears and whiskers twitched as he got ready to check it out, but just as he was about to move, Monty heard the store door open.

Monty quickly turned, forgetting about the noise that had caught his attention moments earlier. There was Kyle, wearing a broad smile and holding what looked like a couple of cans in his hands. As Kyle walked over to the bench where Monty was waiting, Monty instinctively stretched his body.

Kyle placed two cans of food on the table�"one filled with tuna and the other with ravioli. He then gently lifted Monty by his front paws, giving Monty a good stretch.

Kyle sat down on the bench, looking exhausted. It was his first job, and there was so much for him to learn. He pushed himself hard, even though he wasn’t used to being on his feet all day. Before Monty had come into his life, he had never felt the need to force himself to do anything right. Yet, despite his fatigue, he was determined to do whatever it took to keep Monty safe.

He opened a can of tuna and placed it in front of Monty. He then proceeded to open a can of ravioli for himself. Before they began their dinner, Kyle took a moment to give Monty some attention, caressing his fur from head to tail. This routine was to become a ritual for Monty before mealtime, as he preferred to have this affection before starting his food.

As Monty began to eat his food, Kyle, feeling exhausted, put one arm on the table and rested his head on it as his tired eyes began to close. A sudden car horn sounded, waking him up abruptly. It was morning already; the sun touched Kyle’s face causing him to cover his eyes from the bright light. He was then greeted by Monty, who bumped his head against Kyle’s face. He could hear Monty’s loud purring and watched the tiny antics Monty displayed when he felt content.

The days went by as Kyle and Monty navigated this world, having once been alone and incomplete, now experiencing a perfect fusion to each other as heroes often do. The moon and sun come and went. As they ventured farther into the city,

Kyle, with Monty on his shoulder, walked past a nice neighborhood with clean streets and green grassy yards. It had been a long time since Kyle had experienced the comforts of a warm place; in fact, he couldn't even recall such a place. Sometimes, the memories seemed like mere fragments, and he couldn't tell if they were real or just his imagination.

Kyle stopped as a building caught his attention�"a two-story structure with large windows facing the street. He couldn't help but let his imagination run wild; he envisioned a cat tree by that window, with Monty perched atop it, sunbathing and resting comfortably. He saw himself inside that same apartment, approaching Monty and gently kissing him on the head, just between the ears. It was as if Kyle was looking through a window to the future. He stood there for a while, savoring that thought.

Now Kyle had a goal: building a home for himself and Monty.

As night fell, the store was busy, and he was occupied at the register with a customer. Suddenly, the loud screeching of tires outside created a commotion among everyone in the store. Kyle immediately remembered Monty and frantically rushed outside, fearing for Monty’s safety.

When he exited, he looked directly at the bench where Monty was supposed to be, but he didn't see him. Panic set in as he scanned the area. Just then, the headlights of a car illuminated the other side of the road, revealing Monty�"but he was not alone. The two raccoons that had been roaming around earlier were back. Monty was in a defensive stance, his back arched and fur puffed out, while the raccoons, triple his size, loomed over him.

Kyle whistled and started running toward Monty, yelling,“Leave him alone!” The raccoons hesitated, caught between leaving Monty or attacking him. As Kyle got closer, they decided to back off�"but a car was approaching quickly. The night was darker than usual with clouds obscuring the moon.

Kyle signaled Monty to stay, but Monty, impatient, ran toward Kyle’s arms. The car, traveling at high speed, had little chance to see such a small creature in time. Miraculously, the driver spotted Monty just before impact and swerved, avoiding him at the last second.

Monty stopped in the middle of the road, frozen by the screeching tires and the loud horns of the cars. when the noise subsided, he could only hear the sounds of people murmuring around him. Suddenly, loud voices startled him. He tried to look for Kyle, but the car's headlights were blinding. Unsure of what to do, Monty retreated to the bushes.

When the car lights faded, he saw a group of people surrounding something on the ground�"it was Kyle. Monty let out a tiny meow, confused and frightened. He didn't understand what had just happened or why his person was on the ground, not moving and not calling for him. He watched as people loaded Kyle on a vehicle and took him away. Monty attempted to follow the vehicle then hesitated as it disappeared quickly. 

The only thing he could do was hide in the bushes in hopes that Kyle would come to get him.

Kyle was gone, and Monty found himself alone once again. But different; he was alone and longing for something he couldn't quite grasp. He missed Kyle deeply, unable to understand why Kyle had left or the concept of time. All he knew was that Kyle's absence left a void that only his return would fill.

Monty felt a fear of the unfamiliar people around him. He instinctively kept his distance, wary of anyone who might approach. Yet, he was determined to wait on the bench where they used to sit together; if he remained patient, he believed Kyle would return sooner or later. Each day, the old man, moved by Monty's solitary vigil, left a can of tuna on the bench for him.

As the years passed, Monty waited faithfully, growing bigger and more self-reliant. He learned to fend for himself, even standing up to raccoons that ventured too close. When he wasn't perched on the bench, he had made a home among the bushes across the road, a makeshift sanctuary where he could keep watch, ever hopeful for Kyle's return.

Not a day passed that Monty didn't wait on the bench for Kyle. Rain or shine, he remained steadfast, his body marked with scars from the many battles with the raccoons. The old man who feed him was also aging, their bond strengthened by the memory of Kyle, despite their limited interaction.

Ninety-eight moons have passed, and the challenges of life outside were beginning to take a toll on Monty's fragile body. One day, the old man’s granddaughter arrived and during her visit, she noticed Monty waiting on the bench. She looked at Monty with curiosity. The old man had told her about the loyal cat waiting for his friend. Intrigued, the girl approached Monty with caution. Monty shifted from his calm, relaxed position to one that suggested he was ready to escape. Yet, something in her presence made him hesitate. As she drew closer, her eyes widened and filled with a warmth that echoed a love Monty had felt in the past.

Monty observed her with caution, a mix of curiosity and uncertainty swirling within him. Who was she, and what was it about her gaze that held him captive, despite his instinct that told him to flee? He found himself rooted to the bench, grappling with the unexpected connection that seemed to bridge their worlds.

As the girl got closer and closer. Monty fought the urge to escape as she extended her hand in the same way Kyle had when he first met Monty. A memory of Kyle flooded back. He wasn't sure whether to escape or to lean in to sniff the girl’s hand. 

Monty’s heart was racing with doubt, but he decided to go for the sniff. Just then a car whizzed by, startling Monty and making him jump off the table.

As he was about to cross the road to his hideaway, he turned to look back at the girl. For a brief moment their eyes met. Monty wanted to trust her but his fear of people was bigger than the desire to feel love again. He decided to go anyway.

The girl could have let Monty go and moved on with her life, but something about Monty had captivated her. For a year, she tried to get closer to Monty. She attempted to win him over with food in hopes he would let her touch him, but Monty didn’t trust anyone. Not even the old man who used to feed him was able to get close. Now that the old man was tired and too old to keep an eye on Monty, the girl took over his care. However, she wanted more than just to feed him. She wanted to earn Monty’s trust.

Every day was always the same. She would walk out of the store with the food for Monty and set it on the table. Monty would notice her and assume a wary position, then move away. However, each day, Monty seemed to linger a little longer before retreating to his hideaway. He would later return to eat the food when she was gone and it felt safe for him.

Until one day, as she left the food and stood there, thinking that at any moment Monty would run away, she looked at him, sighed, and looked down in disappointment. She was never going to get close enough to touch him. Suddenly, she heard Monty gulping his food. As she looked up, she saw him right there, within her reach�"all she had to do was lift her hand. But she resisted the urge, knowing this was enough, a big step for Monty. She just stood there, not even wanting to breathe hard in case it might scare Monty away.

With each passing day, Monty seemed more relaxed. He allowed her to stand by the table close to him as he ate his food. He even became comfortable enough to clean himself in front of her. One day, she decided to sit and enjoy watching him eat. She placed the food in front of him and waited. As she sat there, Monty slowly approached. He got so close to her face that she felt paralyzed; she didn't want to move. Then, the miracle she had been waiting for happened�"Monty came closer and head-bumped her. She lifted her hand and reached out to touch him. Finally, Monty had allowed himself to feel the warmth of a loving hand again.

The girl noticed the scars of life on Monty, evidence of the challenges he had faced in his outdoor existence. She was determined that Monty could no longer fend for himself. Now that he had her, she was committed to taking care of him. 

She planned to bring him home, to give him a safe and loving environment for the rest of his life.

One night, Monty saw her approaching with something more than just a can of tuna�"something he had never seen before. It was a metal cage. She placed the cage on the table and put the can of tuna inside. Monty watched intently, sniffing and rubbing against the cage, yet he hesitated to step inside.

She waited patiently, not forcing him in. Monty circled the cage, sniffing and rubbing against it repeatedly, but he couldn't break the threshold of fear. Occasionally, he would place a paw inside, only to back out, unsure of what would happen.

Finally, the combination of hunger and the instinctive pull toward the tuna overcame his hesitation. He stepped inside the cage and began to eat. The sudden sound of a click startled him, but it was too late�"he was trapped. Fearful, he meowed softly, but the girl spoke to him in a soothing voice, reassuring him that he was safe.

She then securely placed the cage with Monty inside on the passenger seat of her car. She proceeded to get in while Monty meowed desperately, wanting to get out. She couldn't help but overthink whether she was doing the right thing by forcing Monty out of the only place he had known. More than once, she thought of releasing him, but as soon as she placed her eyes on Monty's beat-up body, she remained firm in her decision to take him home. She started the car and began to drive, ignoring Monty's loud cries. As she approached the bridge, Monty's cries began to lose strength. She turned to look at him and saw Monty gazing at the full moon through the window, becoming completely silent once the car went over the bridge.

Once she arrived home, she carefully took Monty out of the car. To her surprise, Monty had been quiet since she had driven over the bridge. Now he was very alert; his pupils were large and black, and his ears were flat. A clear sign of fear of the unknown. Monty was in an unfamiliar place, or so he thought. The more he looked around to try and get a sense of his new surroundings, the more he felt that there was something familiar about this place�"the same building, a big window, the green grass-all look familiar to him. Somehow, he had a feeling of having been there before.

As the girl got closer to the building, Monty remembered Kyle; it was the place Kyle and Monty had frequently passed on their walks when Monty was happy�"hungry but happy�"because he was on his person's shoulders and didn't need anything else. Kyle was all he had, wanted and needed.

It was the same building where Kyle once dreamed of a life with Monty.  It was now occupied by the girl. 

Once inside the apartment, the girl put Monty in her room where she had prepared a space for him, a space with a few cat toys, a huge cat tree, a pair of ceramic white bowls for his food, and a round, soft, plush faux fur cat bed. She placed the cage on the floor and sat down just in front of it. She then opened the cage. Monty remained quiet, not making any sound, just alert to his new surroundings. She tapped the floor, inviting him out, but Monty retreated even further back into the cage. She spoke to him in a sweet, soft voice, asking him to come out, but Monty didn't seem to want to leave his cage, now a safe place for him.

Again, doubts began to crawl into the girl’s head. Was she doing the right thing, or was she causing Monty too much stress? Would he accept his new place as a home, or would he be miserable for the rest of his life? She left the room, hoping that Monty would gather the courage to explore on his own once he was alone.

After a few hours, she returned with a piece of chicken in her hand. As she entered the room, she hoped to see Monty peacefully sleeping on his bed or perhaps playing on his cat tree. However, Monty was not in plain sight. She went to the cage, thinking he might still be inside, but he wasn’t there either. She began to call Monty’s name, but received no response. Kneeling down under the bed, she found him hidden and crouched in the far corner.

"Monty," she called softly, extending her hand and offering the piece of chicken. Monty just looked from afar with his big, beautiful eyes, now full of fear at the strange smells and unfamiliar place.

For three days, Monty made the space under the bed his home. The girl would bring him food, water, and treats�"new flavors he never had before. However, he wouldn’t come out until she left the room. She spent time with him, reading and talking to him, even trying to play by coaxing him with a wand toy and throwing toy balls under the bed. Despite her efforts, Monty remained at a distance, watching but not wanting any part in her games.

Then, one day, as she entered the room with Monty's food, she was surprised to find him patiently waiting by his food bowl. Thrilled to see him out from under the bed, she walked toward him, praising him as a good, brave boy. As she knelt down, Monty began to rub his body against her while purring.

With each passing day, Monty felt more comfortable. Initially confined to just one room, he eventually had the entire apartment to roam around, which he explored thoroughly. Over time, he adapted to his new routine. He would have breakfast with the girl, and afterward, he would stay home alone, often sleeping on top of his cat tree. 

The tree had been moved from the room to the front window in the living room, where he could safely view the outside world. From there, he watched squirrels, people walking by, and cars, enjoying the view. On sunny days, he loved how the sun bathed his body from now his favorite spot.

The girl became important to Monty, and he would follow her around the apartment. Every time she sat down to relax, Monty would jump into her lap and start making biscuits. He loved sleeping on her bed along with all the pets he received from her. Monty was happy, and that made the girl happy, too. It didn’t even matter that Monty would wake her up early in the mornings even when she wanted to sleep late�"whether by crying in her face, knocking everything he could off the shelves, or nibbling on her hands or feet�"all to make her get up for breakfast.

One day, the girl woke up on her own, which was unusual since Monty was typically her morning alarm. Surprised and worried, she looked for Monty in his usual spot on the bed, by her feet, but he wasn’t there. She called out for him, but with no response or sight of him. She got out of bed and went to Monty's favorite place in the apartment: his cat tree by the window.

Monty was there, looking out, very focused on something. She gently touched Monty’s head and gave him a soft kiss between his ears, trying to see what had captivated him, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. Not giving it much thought, she headed to the kitchen to prepare his breakfast. Usually, Monty would follow her there, crying desperately for his food, but not this time; he remained on his cat tree. Not even the smell of his tuna seemed to coax him away from his post.

Worried about Monty's new behavior, she brought the food to him, but he didn’t seem interested. His gaze was fixed outside, and whatever he was watching appeared more important than anything else. She left for work, feeling anxious about Monty, but hopeful that he would return to his normal self by the time she got back.

When she returned home, she spotted Monty in the window in the same place where she had left him. Normally, he would get up and stretch, preparing to greet her, but this time he remained in the same position, almost immobile. Her worries deepened when she entered the apartment and found his food untouched.

What's wrong with Monty? She began to question herself, trying to recall what Monty had done or eaten the day before, searching for the cause of his behavior. Feeling helpless, she decided to call the vet and make an appointment for him, hoping they could help.

 

Afterward, she picked Monty up and brought him to the couch. He stayed close while she embraced him, but as soon as she let go, he returned to the top of his cat tree. Before curling up, he sat there, gazing out the window. This time, she approached him to see what had captured his attention. It turned out he was looking at the moon.

What was it about the moon that seemed to attract Monty? She wondered what he saw up there. But for Monty, the moon held a special significance. It was the first celestial body he had noticed when he found love in Kyle's eyes�"the moment he first truly saw the moon. This night was particularly beautiful, with a full moon shining brightly, marking the 99th moon for him.

The girl stood there, caressing Monty with affection, and soon he began to purr in contentment. Feeling reassured by her touch, he meowed and then jumped down from the cat tree, heading toward his food bowl. In his usual manner, he cried out, looking expectantly at her. Happy to see him returning to his normal self, she promptly gave him his favorite�"tuna. He devoured it eagerly.

After finishing his meal, Monty cleaned himself thoroughly, not missing a spot in his fur, as if preparing for a trip and wanting to look his best. This gave the girl a sense of relief; Monty was fine.

Monty returned to the top of the cat tree and curled up, maintaining his gaze outside. The girl called to him, encouraging him to join her in bed, but Monty showed no desire to leave his post. She approached him once more, giving Monty a gentle kiss on his head before leaving for the night.

Monty continued to look out, seemingly focused on something or someone outside. In his big, beautiful green eyes, the reflection of Kyle appeared. Monty was watching Kyle, who stood next to him, caressing his fur and scratching his cheeks. At last, Kyle had come back for Monty.

Monty’s soul departed from this world to join Kyle. As the 99th moon passed, a new day began without Monty in it. For last months, Monty had lived a good, happy life. He had experienced the home Kyle had wished for him. Now, they will create a home together in a different place, free from loneliness, hunger, and mean raccoons.