Short Story Natasia Sees A Therapist - Part 2 by Melissa Minners   Therapist: Welcome back, Natasia. Natasia: Merrow. Therapist: How have things been working out between you and your <ahem> love interest? Natasia: Mreow, Mom’s beginning to accept him a bit more.  I’ve actually been allowed to stay over his place at night quite often lately. Therapist: Excellent. Natasia: Mreh, I really enjoy his company.  He’s not much of a conversationalist, but he is quite comfortable to be around. Therapist: Good to see that things haven’t turned stuffy between you two <chuckle>. Natasia: Are you laughing at me?!  HISS!  Don’t think I didn’t catch that stuffed animal reference!  My Nuzzle is the plush love of my life!  He’s a TY Classic – his dog tag even says so!  Therapist: Okay.  Calm down.  I didn’t mean to upset you.  Natasia: Anyways, that’s not why I came back.  I have an issue that doesn’t concern my puppy love. Therapist: Oh?  What seems to be the problem? Natasia:  My owner wants to send me to C.F.A.A. Therapist: I’m sorry, but I’m not familiar with that acronym. Natasia: Hiss!  Canned Food Addicts Anonymous. Therapist: I see. Natasia: She says I’m addicted to canned food. Therapist: Why would she think this way? Natasia: Mreow if I know.  Therapist: Well, let’s see…Does the sound of a can opener get you overly excited? Natasia: Mreh, but no more than any other cat. Therapist: Do you run into the kitchen every time you hear a cabinet door opening? Natasia: Mreow, I run in there every time someone walks into the kitchen, just in case they feel like sharing. Therapist: Do you wake your human up at strange hours of the day just to get her to open a can for you? Natasia: I’m an early riser!!  Therapist: I see.  One moment please.  <reaches into desk drawer and fiddles with something> [Pfffft…POP!]  Natasia: Mreow!!  I heard that! Therapist: Heard what? Natasia: Mreow!!  You have a can!! Therapist: Oh no, I was just opening a soda. Natasia: Mreow!!  I know it’s a can!!  Give me some!  Give me some!!!  Mreow, mreow, mreow, mreow, mreow!!!!! Therapist: And you say that your mother is way off about your addiction to canned food? Natasia: Mreow!! Give me that can!!  I have claws and I know how to use them, Sister!!  I’ll drive you nuts with my cat call!!  I do the best impression of an annoying car alarm!!   Mreow, mreow, mreow, mreow, mreow….. Therapist: <sigh> Maybe human therapy wasn’t so bad after all. For feedback, visit our message board or e-mail the author at talonkarrde@g-pop-net.