Park After Dark

What was it that made the night so inviting after dark? There was a chill of November, which meant it was indeed Sweater Weather. Of course, Mae had shed her bra as soon as she got home from the dentist's office, where she worked as a dental hygienist. Funny how something like a bra still made her feel trapped after all this time. Really, she wasn't a bad girl, but she liked the freedom of being home alone. Her husband was on the night shift this week at the emergency room, so it was just her and a cup of soothing ramen.

Even so, when she went to check if her car was locked (which it was), there was something so tempting about the night. It was as if she'd been a cat once upon a time and needed to be on the prowl.

Sure, there were the lights on the street to guide her on a walk. Although, the farther she got down the street, the woozier she became. A certain excitement pulsed in her veins. Yes, Mae was right where she wanted to be.

It was as if a beat of excitement made her feel one with the night. She shoved her hands into her hoodie and walked past the high school to the old park she remembered from high school. Back then, it was Smoker's Hill. Now it was a jungle gym, swings, and of course, a slide.

She thought she heard something. Probably a cat. Yes, that's what it had to be. Funny how she thought life would be better if she had a cat. Still, she pondered there might be someone looming in the dark in the chest of the jungle gym.

Mae certainly wanted to run away, but she was curious. Before she could turn to go, someone slid down the slide. Mae gasped, thinking this was the time to run, but she didn't. All she could hear was the pounding of her heartbeat.

Instantly, like eyes of glass on her, he blinked. He was a little scruffy, but the shoes he wore looked as if he could get by. There was some agility about his presence.

"Oh, don't tell me you're a scaredy-cat?" His smile was terribly inviting. He could be a vamp, and he looked hardly homeless in his black suit.

Mae couldn't speak. She shook her head no, thinking she could be back home swooning over Johnny B in Outer Banks on Netflix. Mae turned to walk away. He followed.

"There's nothing to be frightened about," he said.

"Well, who hangs out in a jungle gym after dark?" She wouldn't look back.

"Some of us take different shapes at night, that's all!" he shouted back, but she ran, ran as fast as she could back home.

Of course, her door was unlocked at the basement door. She looked back and didn't see him in the driveway. Finally, it was a relief to be inside. She bolted the door and looked at her lovely home. The basement was her friend. This was where she stayed most evenings, to rest and watch TV alone.

But who would appear as soon as she got comfortable on the couch with the TV on? Someone was there to greet her. And he looked a little scruffy from the night. A coat of black. The ragdoll kitten cuddled up to her, purring.