Poppy entered the living room, as composed as a wet cat could, and sat at Daisy’s bare feet. It took a while for Daisy to notice, but Poppy continued to stare ‘till she did.

Daisy looked over the top of her book and adjusted her glasses. What she saw was Poppy’s narrowed eyes peering through sticky multi colored fur.

Well, the cat thought out loud. What you do about this?

“Frank!” Daisy called.

“What?” Frank yelled back from the kitchen.

“What did you do to my cat?”

“I wasn’t done yet,” Frank Replied.

You nephew make me a clown. I supposed to be scary cat.

“Some people are afraid of clowns.” Daisy said trying not to laugh.

Frank rolled his wheelchair into the living room, color soaked from his shoes to his hair.

“I hope my kitchen doesn’t look like the two of you,” Daisy said.

“Don’t worry I’ll clean it. I tried to turn her black but, It’s hard to make black. The best I could to was purple. I added more colors and I think that made it worse.”

He admit his crime.

“I was going to wash her out to start over but she got away.”

Next time he pick me up, I bite him.

“Is she talking again?” Frank Asked.

“She never shuts up,” Replied Daisy.

And scratch his face.

“That’s enough. Poppy, go to your quiet place.”

Poppy plodded out while thinking. I Pull his mustache off.

“Honestly that cat…”

“I’m really sorry about that,” said Frank.

“Don’t worry I’ll clean her up later. You’d better yourself clean up or you’ll be late.”

Frank fidgeted with his chair then looked up, “I was thinking of quitting.”

“Quitting? But you love teaching.”

Frank looked down at his legs. The accident had taken more than his ability to walk.

“I don’t know if that’s true anymore. The kids are rude and don’t listen to me anymore. And it’s not just them. The monitors don’t even visit my class. It’s like I’ve become invisible.”

Daisy put her book on the couch seat next to her, on top of a pile of other books. She looked intently at him without saying anything making him a little self-conscious.

“Okay,” she said. “But what are you going to do instead? I don’t want you moping around here all the time. Just because you can’t walk doesn’t mean you’re allowed to be useless.”

“I don’t know what I want to do yet.” He looked out the window. It was a nice day. “I was thinking. Maybe doing some studies in… magic, like you.”

She sighed, “You know, the best minds have been working on walking injuries for a long time-”

“I don’t mean for that. I just thought, maybe, since you already know so much, you can be my teacher.”

“I’m not accredited.”

“I know. Just informally.”

“That’s illegal and you know it.”

Frank had the most pitiful frown and she knew what was going on in his head. She wanted so much to help him but in her heart she knew the dark place he was in and that the only way out is by his own strength. But maybe…

“Wait here,” she said and left the room.

A moment later she returned with poppy in her arms. Still wet and clearly unhappy.

Put me down. I no do it. Thought Poppy as she squirmed to get down.

“Come on Poppy. He really needs this.”

No!

Daisy held out poppy toward him.

“What are you doing?” Frank asked.

“Well-”

“Hissss.”

“Believe it or not. Poppy is accredited.”

Frank flinched, “Your cat? I don’t think she likes me.”

He right. I- no- like- him.

“It’ll be fine. Poppy, you’ll do this or so help me, I’ll switch you to the dry food.”

Poppy went limp.

“Good. Now just do this.” She dropped Poppy onto his lap where her eyes narrowed up at him with deadly intent. Frank was afraid to move.

“Close your eyes Frank.”

“No?” Frank didn’t want to break eye contact.

“She won’t hurt you. Close your eyes and just clear your mind. Listen to the sounds of the room. The sounds of the day outside. Don’t think about them just… listen.”

Frank strained to listen. The room was quiet but he heard the ticking of the clock, his own breathing, the drip of water from the leaky sink, the birds tweeting outside. It was like trying to hold his breath while at the edge of his mind he could feel his thoughts, muffled. There was just a single thought that wanted so much to be there. He ignored it and listened instead to a motorcycle passing, and shouts of the children next door. His own breathing and then Daisy’s. A thought pushed against his will and the more he tried to listen the louder it got until finally-

Look at me? Look- at- me? Hey dummy!

“I- I hear her.” he said astonished, but her voice faded as he opened his eyes and looked at the cat. “I lost it.”

“It will take some practice but eventually you’ll be able to listen and think at the same time. That’s your first lesson.”

Poppy jumped down and hissed at him. Can’t believe I do this.

“I heard that.” Frank said astonished.

Poppy puffed up and skittered sideways out of the room.

“It might be a good idea to only listen when she wants you to,” Daisy said.

“How am I supposed to know when she wants me to?” Frank Replied.

“Let’s call that lesson two. Now get ready for work. You haven’t quit yet.”