Eden

It was a solemn drive, the over-air-conditioned cold blowing Eden back into her cat carrier. It was a dark night, the occasional street light illuminating Mia’s short pixie-cut. She had cut it into a sorry haircut during a mental breakdown in her senior year. Seeing the disaster, she booked an appointment the next day and kept the style for all of college. Eden, her cat, was older but still maintained her frosted hair and sapphire eyes. It was hard for her to see her lifelong friend deteriorate as she had herself in high school. She made a turn on the road to the treeline, her headlights yellow. She thought back again to the time when Eden had been able to anchor her in her ripping world. It broke her heart to leave Eden behind. Now on their first month back, she was bringing Eden to the vet.

Predicting bad news, she came back from the appointment her soul pulverized. She tried to keep a brave face while calling her parents on the drive home, tears blurring the road. Eden, of course, paid no mind to the telling of her doom and instead curled up in the fuzzy cat carrier. She stopped for food, her favorite was Korean Barbeque, the warm orange glow seemed a stark contrast from her gloom and the server offered the food at a discount in pity. She lightly thanked her and left the pleasant radiance. Driving home in uncomfortable sleepy silence, she reached her barren apartment. Having nothing more than her and Eden’s essentials she sat on the ground and spread her food out. Letting Eden out of the cage, a puff of white detached fur followed her as she made an active dash for the Korean BBQ. Mia, amused, tried delicately to push back Eden’s diving head. Eden always tried to pounce on the BBQ, letting out meows when she was denied. This continued for the rest of the meal as Eden tried to swab the glistening kimchi or jump on the Chicken Bulgogi. She continued to push back Eden’s soft head, saying “Maybe later Eden”

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Mia tried to swipe the rising white fur on her sweatshirt as she walked to her car after a long day at classes. Approaching her car she sadly realized that this wasn’t a common characteristic of Eden’s breed. Although Eden’s coat had turned lackluster due to the thinning body she still had bright blue eyes. Although she was born a large cat with an extensive fur coat she hardly shed, and only began shedding after being diagnosed among her other symptoms. She began to put the car in reverse smoothly driving out the lot towards her favorite restaurant- Korean BBQ. As she drove the sunset-soaked highway she began to think about the long and difficult months she had with Eden. It killed her to see how Eden was withering away, her abdominal cancer medication-taking no effect in reducing her vomiting blood, and her weight loss. She slowly wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, in the back of her mind, she was scared the medicine wouldn't do anything and she would die with no relief. The only time Eden’s ears would prick would be when she could smell Mia’s food, specifically only Korean BBQ. Mia took the exit heading towards the flushed atmosphere for her favorite restaurant. Eden, despite her now lack of strength, would wobble over to where Mia was eating for some of the food, yet to make sure her stomach wouldn't hurt she never gave her any. Eden would sulk and meow showing her fiery personality and flop back on her over the cushioned bed. Now pulling into the driveway of Korean BBQ she wanted to give Eden a taste for what she whined constantly for, she practically bought out the whole store. Buying her favorites and what she assumed Eden’s favorites by her sniffs she accelerated home. When reaching the front carpet in her living room she could tell something was off. She wasn’t greeted by Eden’s meows and moving into the kitchen she only saw blood in the grooves of the porcelain kitchen floor. She dropped the food in a clamor screaming for Eden. Looking for her in a frenzied panic she finally found the white feline laying on the shallow carpeted rug. She was breathing heavily blood outlining her mouth and coating her tongue. Mia put a hand to her mouth in shock, the pain of her childhood friend dying overwhelming her. She whispered in a hush strained voice “It’s okay Eden, I’ll be right back. You’ll be happy to see what I got for you”. She grasped the nearby chair for support and lifted herself, her grief choking her. She returned to Eden’s side and gently started petting her frail and flat body and in blurred eyes she remembered the countless times she’d lay next to Eden her tears soaking her fur, her sorrows getting soaked by her silver cat. She began to unpack the bag of the numerous dishes- ranging from glazed pork to hot sauce dipped chicken wings. Eden’s ears barely pricked up as she opened her favorite, chicken bulgogi. Eden's body moved a little in straining for the food, and Mia held a bit of the food to her nose but Eden's eyes dimmed and she moved her head to her chest. Mia lost sight of her blue eyes as her breath labored. Mia dropped the food and picked up Eden’s vulnerable body just as she felt her heart still. She began to cry hysterically, her tears being caught by Eden’s cold body, Eden’s fur turning wet as Mia and Eden sat in a ring of Korean BBQ.