Simon and the Grumpy Musician

“Simon?” Bayley called, pulling up the flap of fabric that covered the bottom of the couch. “Simon?”

Bayley had been the ginger kitten’s human for just over a day and a half. He was an adorable long haired ball of fluff but he also enjoyed disappearing.

“Simon, come on!” She pleaded, standing slowly. “Please come out.” She sank to the couch and buried her head in her hands. “Gosh, everyone’s right. I’m a terrible cat mother!” Tears formed and threatened to fall. Suddenly, the loud strumming of a guitar filled the apartment. “Oh come on, Elwood. Not now!”

Bayley lived in a small studio that had been converted from a mansion into multi-family housing. It was just right for her. There was enough room. The rent was cheap enough. Yet, due to the price, it sometimes attracted a more interesting sort of people.

The man above her (Elliot? Elwin? Elwood?) was a sometime guitarist-slash-thrift store employee. She hadn’t had many chances to talk to him. Every time their paths crossed, he just looked so grumpy!

His playing gradually grew louder and more intense. Now, Bayley was fuming. She rarely got mad but her kitten was lost and his playing was giving her a serious headache.

What the heck was she supposed to do?

Suddenly, a loud mew came from her kitchenette. She stopped, not believing it. It couldn’t be...could it?

“Simon!” She squealed, jumping to her feet. She scooped the kitten up and furiously kissed the top of his tiny head, ignoring his pitiful cries. “My goodness- where were you?”

—-

It’s the strangest thing- Bayley realized. Simon hid every night until Elmer? Played . By the second time he played through Wonderwall or Freebird, Simon would come out of his secret hiding place and join his owner.

She had never been so grateful for her annoying neighbor.

“I’ve got to thank him!” Bayley declared, walking home from the bank where she worked as a teller. “Pretty sure Mr. E is the only reason why I haven’t lost Simon yet.”

She was determined. He couldn’t be grumpy all the time. Maybe she just needed to be nice to him?

“Here we go,” she whispered, mumbling under her breath. Shaking, she reached out, pulled the door open and walked into the small thrift store.

“Hello. Can I help you?” A male voice called. A man with a bushy dark beard and equally dark eyes appeared from behind a rack of women’s underwear. Bayley took the opportunity to read his name tag.

Hello. My name is Elias. Let me walk you to the best deals!

Elias. Not Elwood. Not Elwin. Not Elmer. Elias That made way more sense.

“I’m Bayley. I live in the unit below you.” Bayley knew she spoke more confidentially than she felt.

“Howdy,” Elias said, giving her a half-smile, half-smirk. “Hope my playing doesn’t bother you. Alexa knew I was a musician when she rented to me.”

“Oh no, it’s actually been helpful.” She quickly recounted the tale of her skittish kitten and how Elias’ playing always brought him out of hiding. “I’d like to cook dinner for you. Nothing fancy- just roast chicken and vegetables but I owe you.”

“Sounds good. I’ll be by after we close. Always appreciate a fan.”

Bayley doesn’t have the heart to tell him his playing actually gives her a headache and it’s her kitten that’s the real fan.

That seemed almost cruel.

—-

Dinner went better than Bayley had originally anticipated.

Elias was a little self-absorbed but only slightly. Bayley didn’t mind. Musicians were naturally a little narcissistic. It came with being talented.

He’d brought dessert (Boston Creme Pie- her favorite!) and his guitar so they could have music after dinner.

Bayley was grateful he hadn’t seen her cringe. That would have been embarrassing.

She cooked a simple meal of roast chicken and vegetables. It was nothing fancy but she knew she could cook it and cook it well.

“Best meal I’ve had in ages!” Elias complimented, placing his plate in the sink. “I’ll do the dishes.”

“No, you’re my guest. I’ll do the dishes. Why don’t you play?” She wasn’t in the mood for Oasis but she also hadn’t seen Simon since this morning. It would be killing two birds with one stone.

Elias nodded, walking over to his guitar and picking it up. He settled onto the couch and started playing the opening chords to Wonderwall.

Today is gonna be the day...

Suddenly, a ball of orange fur darted past Bayley’s feet. She turned, and realized he’d been hiding in the curtained part of the kitchen cart the entire time.

Of course he’d hide in the one place she never thought to look!

She draped the dish towel over her shoulder and turned to her living room area . Her eyes followed Simon as he ran and jumped up on Elias’ shoulder.

“You like Oasis, Simon?” Elias cooed, watching the kitten settle on his shoulder and meow. “Guess I can play one more time.” As he began to strum again, the kitten turned three times and curled into a tight purring ball.

Something told Bayley she’d better get used to Oasis because it didn’t look like Elias was going anywhere.

Bayley was strangely okay with that .

Who knew what it might turn into?

-fin-