Scaggy the cat blends into the dark wood paneling of my grandparents’ living room. Scaggy the cat who’s older than I am and came from nowhere. Who I’m told to leave alone. She’s invisible except for a fat boil on her forehead that threatens to burst. That glowers at me from across the living room. That watches me grow up. Open presents on Christmas. Learn to read. Lie to my brothers. Get the chicken pox on Easter Sunday. Become bolder and more afraid all at once.
Never, ever am I brave enough to touch the leper cat.