by Detergent
The sun felt rather warm for April but this was Indiana, so seasons didn't matter. Outside, the daffodils were blooming, along with the hyacinths and the crocuses, the forsythias curving in blazes of golden yellow. In the neglected places, the deadnettles purpled, the chickweed became dotted with tiny white stars, and the dandelions opened their cheery blossoms. In the forests, Dutchman's breeches hung laundry out, the violets were winking purple, white, and yellow. The fine weather had caused all of the windows at the Farm to open like a big bird airing its plumage after a long sleep.
Sören led his partners into the kitchen where they had been invited to a small party. Today was Eugène's birthday and he was so well-loved that Yeyette gave a party for him every year. All of the other felines of the household were in attendance and were seemingly behaving in their places on the kitchen floor. Someone had placed a cone-shaped party had on Ramen and he sat, tail moving languidly, looking very pleased with himself. Yeyette and Victor stood behind one of the chairs at the table and behind them stood DeKalb and Dara. All of them had dressed up a bit for the occasion. Eugène came into the room and twined himself around his parents' legs before spying a two-layer cake made of canned cat food and decorated with Greenies sitting on the table beside another two-layer cake that was more to the taste of people than of cats.
Also on the table sat Yeyette's open laptop and beside it laid a pencil. Eugène leapt onto the chair Victor pulled out for him and curled his tail around his paws looking expectantly from the laptop's screen to the two cakes that sat further away on the table. He tilted his face up and allowed Yeyette to put a small golden crown of starch-stiffened lace on his head.
"We're every inch a Prince today," commented Dara, grinning as he recalled Eugène's declaration months back that the cat's profession was, in fact, being royalty.
Eugène's eyes went almond-shaped with happiness. "Did you ever doubt me, mon cher ami?" the cat asked him, absolutely basking in the attention.
"You have your birthday money and you may use it as you like," Victor gestured towards the laptop. He and Yeyette stood behind the cat's chair, hands linked as if they were the proud parents of a human child.
"Thank you, Maman. Thank you, Papa. Thank you Papa DeKalb. Thank you, brother."
The pencil floated into the air and tapped the keys. First, Eugène made a donation to the local humane society. Then, he typed in another address with the eraser and donated to the local food bank and the local pet pantry. He typed in yet another address and hit enter, sending money to World Central Kitchen, then Médecins Sans Frontières and lastly, the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Sören boggled at this. He knew Eugène was Forceful and very intelligent but he never thought that the cat did charity work besides.
Across the table, Yeyette was making much of her cat, removing his crown and showering his head with kisses, praising his altruism.
Eugène felt Sören's eyes upon him and stretched a paw out. "I am from the barn. I was lucky because Papa and Maman found me. Others aren't so lucky. It is important to give the luck back. I show my love for my parents and my gratitude by doing this. I'm happy to be alive. I want other people to be happy." He accepted more pets from his parents.
Sören looked up at Anthony, who then looked over to Nicholas and Maglor. Nicholas nodded and Maglor's face was touched by a rare, warm smile. Sören took out his phone and typed in something, then he came around the table and extended the device to the cat.
"Now you have birthday money from us as well."
Eugène reached out a paw and touched Sören's hand, his eyes almond-shaped again.
"Thank you. It is good to give back." The pencil floated towards the keyboard again as Eugène distributed funds between local and international charities. The screen flipped over to a local grocery site for a moment and the cat made his selection.
Sören blinked. "Is there a local food drive?"
"Non,", replied the cat, licking his lips as he eyed the cake made of cat food. "Do you recall last year when Dara was forced to eat your cereal?"
"Hey, I replaced that," Dara protested, laughing.
"He did," Sören affirmed.
"I also had some loops. I did not replace your cereal. I have bought you loops, Uncle."
"I didn't get any loops," whined a small voice from under the table.
"Edmée, you weren't even born yet," came Mibal's reply.
Noodles jumped up onto the chair with Eugène. "Hard food birthday, brother!" he gave the other cat a strong headbutt.
Eugène headbutted him in return, leaving his forehead against the other cat's for some time. "Merci brother."
As everyone's attention was turned to the adorable sight of the two brothers, the cat food cake began to inch towards the edge of the table. DeKalb heard the small scrape of the china against the wood and rushed over, picking up the plate with both hands.
"Little girl, you have the biggest appetite I've seen. We'd better get this cut before it winds up on the floor and in your belly," he admonished the little tortie cat, though his dark eyes were twinkling and amusement crinkled at their corners.
"I'll cut the other cake," offered Anthony, eyeing the two-tiered confection.
Both Sören and Yeyette snorted at his enthusiasm. Both cakes were cut and Eugène used the Force to distribute the plated pieces to his guests. DeKalb sat a good slice of the cat food cake before him.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..." everyone sang, although from the floor they heard Edmée warbling around mouthfuls of food.
Everyone dug into their cake, including Eugène, who got a little food on his snoot.
Eugène surveyed the scene and then looked up at his parents.
"I am so happy," he said just before he found himself being cuddled between Victor and Yeyette.
"So very happy."