My neighbor, Ed, was ninety one. Lived alone. Had a cat named Mr. Buttons.
Ed died three weeks ago. Heart attack. Quiet. Quick.
I didn't know him well. We'd wave. Small talk about the weather. That's it.
Two days after he died, there's a knock on my door.
It's Ed's daughter. I'd never met her.
Ed's daughter: Hi. I'm Rachel. Ed's daughter.
Me: Oh. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Rachel: Thank you. I'm here about the cat.
Me: The cat?
Rachel: Mr. Buttons. My dad left instructions. He wanted you to take him.
Me: What?
Rachel: He left a note. Said you were the only person on the street who didn't hate the cat.
Me: I don't even know the cat.
Rachel: Apparently you fed him once.
I tried to remember. Then it clicked.
Six months ago, Ed was out of town. He asked if I'd feed Mr. Buttons for two days. I said yes. I fed the cat. That was it.
Me: I fed him one time.
Rachel: Well, he left the cat to you.
Me: I don't want a cat.
Rachel: Neither do I. I'm allergic.
Me: So take him to a shelter.
Rachel: He's eighteen years old. No one's going to adopt him.
Me: That's not my problem.
Rachel: Please. I'll pay for his food. I just need someone to take him.
My wife appeared behind me.
My wife: We'll take him.
Me: What?
My wife: We'll take the cat.
Rachel looked relieved.
Rachel: Really?
My wife: Yes. Bring him over.
Rachel left. I turned to my wife.
Me: We're not cat people.
My wife: Ed left you his cat. We're taking the cat.
Me: I don't want a cat.
My wife: Too bad.
An hour later, Rachel showed up with Mr. Buttons. He's the ugliest cat I've ever seen. One eye. Half a tail. Looks like he lost a fight with a lawnmower.
Rachel: He's very sweet.
She handed me a carrier and left.
I put the carrier in the living room and opened it.
Mr. Buttons walked out, looked at me, and hissed.
Me: Great.
For three days, the cat hid under the couch. Wouldn't eat. Wouldn't come out.
My wife: Maybe he's grieving.
Me: He's a cat.
My wife: Cats grieve.
On day four, I'm sitting on the couch watching TV and Mr. Buttons jumps up next to me.
Just sits there.
I didn't move.
He curled up and fell asleep.
Now he follows me everywhere. Kitchen. Garage. Bathroom.
My wife thinks it's hilarious.
My wife: He loves you.
Me: I don't love him.
My wife: Yes you do.
Last week I took him to the vet. Spent $300 on bloodwork.
The vet said he's in good shape for eighteen.
I told my wife.
My wife: See? He's going to be around for a while.
Me: That's not comforting.
Yesterday I caught myself talking to him.
Me: You want dinner?
Mr. Buttons meowed.
Me: Yeah, me too.
My wife walked in.
My wife: Are you talking to the cat?
Me: No.
She smiled.
I'm a cat person now.
I hate it.
Christians played FIFA.
Muslims played FIFA.
Sikhs played FIFA.
Jews played FIFA.
Atheists played FIFA.
But 1.2 billion Hindus? Zero players. Why??
Becouse these cow-eating pagans are busy r@p!ng women, lynch!ng and butcher!ng minorities every single day.
Blood-soaked hands can't kick a ball.
My debut World Cup… it hurts to wait 4 years to compete at the highest level our sport has to offer. I want to say sorry to our fans it was not good enough when it mattered most and we let you down
Soccer in America will only become bigger the belief, the talent, and the passion is continually growing and I know the best days are in front of us, the future belongs to those who never stop believing, this moment will fuel us. We will be back
Why not us?
For the nation. For the flag.
🇺🇸🦅
B
"More Muslim girls will be raped to teach a lesson." ~BJP leader Shantanu Mondal.
Dear World, Look here: a Muslim girl was raped and murdered & supported by ruling regimes.
A Muslim, 11-year-old girl left home to buy a gift; she has been raped and murdered by BJP worker, and her body was found stuffed in a sack in Surjyapur Haat. 🤬🤬🤬
Imagine if this girl were Hindu & the rapist were supported by any M leader.
Any outrage from @RubikaLiyaquat and other godi media ?
Shame on You @WBPolice
@FabrizioRomano@drkouser_ Subhana Rabbi al-A'la (سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى) is a beautiful Arabic phrase meaning "Glory is to my Lord, the Most High". It is recited during Sujud (prostration).