As he and his sister Pillar huddled, hiding in the undercarriage of the mobile home, Timmy knew that he should be the brave, manly brother. Still, as a baby, it was hard to be manly. Still, both kittens expected Mama to be back any minute. After all, she’d always stayed close. She’d always fed them, even as she faded herself.

This time Mama never came back. The starving kittens used several of their nine lives waiting, day after day. At first, they were quiet. Finally, they made noise. Finally, someone knew they were there. Finally, someone took them to the shelter.

There the kittens found Mama. There they stopped being afraid. Now the family is together again. Still, they’re homeless, but it seems bearable together.