She looked up up expectantly at Edna, who was nervously mulling over what do I do now? Edna picked up the phone, dialed, and strummed her fingers on the receiver as she waited - forever, it seemed - for an answer.
"Hi, it's me. I have a question -- No, I can't come to dinner tomorrow -- Liz, would you be quiet and listen to me!"
"I think I'm about to have kittens -- no, I'm not losing my mind, Liz."
Edna took a deep gulp of air and lowered her voice, aware that Mary was watching and listening intently. "There's this cat, you see -- never mind how I got her; I don't really have her, but she invited herself in, you see. And I think she's about to give birth. Liz, quit laughing! What on earth is so funny? Can you please tell me what the devil I'm supposed to do now?"
Edna listened, nodded, and took notes while her daughter talked. Finally, she hung up the phone, and turned to look at Mary. "It looks like you and I are going to have quite a night of it, my friend." Mary looked at her knowingly and slowly blinked her eyes.
Outside, a brilliant star made its way across the sky as snow fell softly against the window. The Gift of the Magi had finally come on, and Edna watched it in between checking on Mary. She felt the warmth of Joe's presence as she poured a glass of milk and raised it to toast the birth of the new day. And then she remembered that the first gift of Christmas had been a child.
This story is dedicated to HOSTDes, HOSTKel, my dear friends Eileen and Suzy, and all the other countless unsung heroes who selflessly dedicate their lives to saving the lives of homeless cats. They are my role models, and the world is a better place for all of them.
