When I got home from work, the cat was nowhere to be found.
Jack was a modest bloke, never one for bad habits. On his 25th birthday, his parents gave him a flat. Well, not exactly handed it overthey helped him out with enough money for the first deposit. That meant Jack could finally live on his own. Working as a software developer, Jack preferred a quiet life and didnt really socialise with anyone.
To stave off the boredom, he decided to adopt a kitten. The little cat had a problem with his front paws. The couple who owned the mother wanted to put him down, but Jack felt sorry for the poor thing and took him home. He named him Handsome. Life was good for the two of themJack would rush home from work to Handsome, and the cat would always be waiting for him on the doormat outside the flat.
After a while, Jack started seeing a girl from his office. The girl, Emily, was bright and wasted no time winning Jacks heart; less than a month later, she moved in with him. Right away, she didnt take to Handsome and asked Jack to give him away, but Jack refused, explaining Handsome meant the world to him.
Emily didnt let it go, and kept asking Jack to get rid of the cat. Jack told her firmly that Handsome was staying. Emily argued that the cat ruined their image, since their guests would always recoil at his twisted paws. Jack felt torn between Emily and Handsome, because he cared for both.
Coincidentally, Jacks parents didnt approve of his choice. They thought Emily was rude and a bit cheeky. They asked their son not to rush into anything serious and to pay closer attention to her.
One day, when Emilys parents came for a visit, Jack finally realised he didnt want a future with her. Emilys dad burst into laughter the moment he saw Handsome step into the hallway, calling him a freak. Jack immediately defended the cat, but all evening, Emily and her father mocked his looks and suggested Jack get rid of him. They spent ages inventing silly places where they could dump the cat, and Emilys mum joined in, laughing at poor Handsome.
The next day, when Jack got home from work, Handsome was gone. Jack asked Emily where the cat was, and she told him shed taken him to the veterinary clinic and left him there.
Jack set off straight away to search for Handsome, spending five hours scouring different places. He finally found him. Handsome, purring softly as Jack lifted him into his arms, was delighted to be reunited with him.
When Jack got home, he told Emily to pack her things and move out. He never wanted to see her again; she was, to him now, repulsive.
The next morning, Emily quietly gathered her belongings and left, wounded that shed been replaced by a cat. She never imagined Handsome would matter more to Jack.
Now, Jack and Handsome live together, and every evening Handsome happily greets his owner when he gets back from work.
