WENDY, A BENEVOLENT WOMAN SUBSISTING ON A HUMBLE INCOME, had a fondness for the neglected and forsaken. When a shelter-dwelling acquaintance informed her about Lucky, an elderly feline unwanted by all, Wendy promptly chose to adopt him — oblivious to the trials looming.
Lucky’s health suffered a rapid deterioration, but Wendy invested her soul and scarce resources towards his recuperation. Despite expectations, Lucky flourished. But soon, something peculiar started to transpire — currency materialized upon Wendy’s flooring. Initially, she assumed it was her own. But when it persisted in occurring, Wendy realized Lucky was bringing home enigmatic funds from his outside excursions.
Perplexed, she observed Lucky during his open-air walks. Through her window, she witnessed a vehicle halting near his preferred location, and an individual alighted…😳👇… it was an elderly woman. Wendy squinted, trying to discern more. The woman knelt, and Wendy’s heart melted as she saw her gently stroke Lucky. She spoke softly to him, words too faint to reach Wendy’s ears, but her tone was clearly affectionate. Then, Wendy watched in astonishment as the woman placed a folded bill on the ground near Lucky, patted him one last time, and returned to her vehicle, driving away.
Wendy rushed outside, scooping up a bewildered Lucky and the crisp twenty-dollar bill. Back inside, she examined the money she’d been finding. It was always twenties, always new-looking. The pieces started falling into place. This kind woman, whoever she was, was the source. But why? And why leave it for Lucky?
The next day, Wendy positioned herself by the window again. Just as before, the familiar car arrived. The elderly woman emerged, greeted Lucky with a warm smile, and repeated the same ritual – petting him, whispering to him, and placing a bill near him before departing.
Intrigued and touched, Wendy decided to approach the woman. The following day, as the car stopped, Wendy gently opened her front door and stepped onto the porch. The woman, noticing Wendy, paused. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, then softened into a kind smile.
“Excuse me,” Wendy began hesitantly, “I couldn’t help but notice you… with Lucky.”
The woman’s eyes twinkled. “Oh, you must be his owner! He’s such a sweet boy.”
“Yes, I am Wendy,” she replied, extending her hand. “And you are?”
“Eleanor,” the woman said, shaking Wendy’s hand warmly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve been… well, I’ve been leaving a little something for Lucky.”
Wendy smiled gently. “I know. I was just wondering… why?”
Eleanor’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a touch of melancholy. “My Thomas… he passed away last year. He was a ginger tabby, just like Lucky. He used to wait for me by this very spot every day after my errands. Seeing Lucky here… it reminded me so much of him. It brought me comfort, you see. Leaving a little something… it felt like I was still doing something for Thomas.”
Wendy’s heart ached for Eleanor. She understood the pang of loss, the comfort found in familiar routines, even in a cat that wasn’t quite the same but echoed a cherished memory.
“Eleanor,” Wendy said softly, “Lucky is very loved. He has a warm home and plenty of food. You don’t need to leave money.”
Eleanor looked at Lucky, who had now rubbed against Wendy’s legs, purring contentedly. A tear glistened in her eye. “I know, dear. But it’s not really about the money, is it? It’s about… connection. About feeling like I’m not completely alone with my memories of Thomas.”
Wendy understood. She saw not just an elderly woman and a cat, but two souls finding solace in a shared space of grief and unexpected kindness. Instead of stopping Eleanor, Wendy offered a different kind of connection.
“Eleanor,” Wendy proposed, “Why don’t you come in for tea sometime? You could pet Lucky properly, tell me all about Thomas. We could share stories.”
Eleanor’s face lit up. “Oh, Wendy, I would like that very much.”
And so, the mysterious money stopped appearing on Wendy’s floor. Instead, Eleanor started appearing on Wendy’s porch, not with folded bills, but with stories of Thomas and homemade cookies. Lucky, basking in the attention of two kind women, purred contentedly, unknowingly bridging a gap between loneliness and friendship, all thanks to a little bit of unexplained currency and a whole lot of benevolent hearts. Wendy’s humble income remained humble, but her life, and Lucky’s, were enriched beyond measure by the unexpected connection forged through a simple act of misplaced kindness.