This month, I’m sharing my Whisker Wisdom Caterview with Tau, one of the newest members of the Baga Shores feline family. After Alika, the contrarian, eloquent, who-knows-how-old black cat, and Rhea’s familiar left, the Tanner household felt a void that even Brett Austin’s loveable golden retriever, Rex, couldn’t fill.
In the series, Rex is Brett’s loyal sidekick, running mate, and confidante. Robbie’s son Sam loves Rex, for sure. But he missed Alika fiercely.
Enter Tau the tabby!
We meet Tau in CHARMING SABRINA (Book 2 in the series). He makes a brief appearance in ENCHANTING ROBBI (Book 3). But we don’t know much about him other than he’s young. Maybe six months or so old. And he goes out of his way to butt into people’s business.
The Caterview is an excellent way to learn more about him.
I’m expecting him to show up any minute. He’s famous for appearing in odd places at strange times. He’s also very private, so coaxing answers from him might be difficult. I might be the only human who knows he can speak at all.
Today, I’m waiting for him in Mimi Tanner’s herb garden behind her multi-story Pepto-Bismol pink beach home.
Did you hear that? I swear it was a cat’s soft meow coming from a spot between the Cuban oregano and the rosemary.
There, I heard it again.
***
ME: Tau, is that you?
TAU: I’ve been here listening.
ME: Well, come on out and meet our friends. Let’s sit on the bench near the shady side of the house.
Tau tentatively emerges from his hiding place, joins me on the bench, and jumps into my lap. His marmalade orange-striped fur begs petting and I comply.
M: Thank you for agreeing to this.
TAU: (Purring loudly) I prefer to observe. Watching is so much fun. You humans get yourselves into the biggest messes.
M: Truth. In Sabrina’s story, I recall Colton James finding you in the beach grass over a mile from your home. Can you explain that?
TAU: He was heading into trouble. Somebody needed to distract him from disaster. So I tracked him down. I’m not crazy about laying in the sand; those grass blades drive me crazy. But I did it for him.
M: Your ‘poor lost kitty’ act worked. You could have found your way home easily. And then you showed up on Sabrina’s doorstep. What was the reason for that?
TAU: She was too savvy for her own good! She’d had so much bad luck in the past that she didn’t think she deserved happiness. She didn’t like opening up to people, but I knew she needed a good listener. Cats are good for that, you know.
M: You have a gift for knowing what’s in a person’s heart. That will make you a valuable member of the Tanner household with all their quirks and personalities. How did you happen to end up in that family, anyway?
TAU: I believe you spoke with Alika before. Didn’t he explain ‘assignments’?
M: Not really. I’m still unclear about who made the assignments and how a cat is matched with a human.
TAU: Ah, ha. I won’t be explaining that part, either. It’s not a human concern. I can tell you that we are matched based on what you call our gift and what the human will need. Alika is a rock star in our world. There was no other feline who could tackle an assignment to be Rhea’s familiar.
M: I’ll have to live with that. But you’re a young cat. I don’t think you’re a year old yet. Isn’t that unusual for an assignment? Yet you sound like an adult. And where did you come from?
TAU: I was left on the doorstep of the Baga Shores Veterinary Clinic. Nobody knew anything about me other than that I wore this collar with the blue stone. After a couple of weeks, and I got a clean bill of health from Dr. Emily, Mimi brought Sam to meet me. Love at first sight, of course. Just as planned.
M: I love the lapis lazuli stone on your collar. It’s appropriate for you since it’s the stone of wisdom and truth. But it seems odd that you sound so old for a young cat.
TAU: (I notice he slightly shakes his head and rolls his eyes.) Our age at the time of assignment is deliberately adjusted. This isn’t my first rodeo, lady.
M: Wait. What?
TAU: I’m at this age because it works best for my human. Sam is a young child who doesn’t speak. Isn’t it reasonable that he was matched with a non-verbal, young cat? So far, this assignment hasn’t required me to speak, but that could change.
M: I need a minute to process this.
TAU: (Turns cocks his head to meet my gaze.) You surprise me. Of all people, you should understand this.
M: (I manage is a slow headshake. Finally, I find words.) You’re a lot more complex than I first thought, Tau.
TAU: No surprise there. Mystery is required in my assignment. Being Sam’s familiar is only part of this job. Everybody in this town needs someone like me. For now, it’s on me. Do you honestly think that dog will be of any help?
M: Rex? He’s a sweetheart.
TAU: Yeah. Whatever. Everybody loves the Goldens. Loveable floppy dogs. Pffft! While they are fetching balls on the beach, I’m helping humans save themselves from themselves.
M: I’m certainly glad you straightened that all out for us.
TAU: Now, now. Let the cats be the snarky ones, okay? Sam’s life is going to be challenging. And complicated. He’s non-verbal. He’s a brilliant artist. He’s a freaking Draiocht wizard. What a combination for a little kid. His family is supportive and loves him dearly. Mimi, his great-grandmother, is a respected witch and wants him to flourish. After a nasty divorce, his mother, Andie, is finally getting her life back together. Even though she’s a witch, too, she’s still having a hard time getting a grip on his magical gift. His grandmother? Everyone knows Rhea has a heart of gold and the flighty spirit of an old hippie.
M: You have your hands—I mean, paws, full. Alika evolved in his assignment. At first, he wasn’t excited to be with Rhea, but now they are inseparable. How about you so far?
TAU: I’m okay with it. I’m the center of attention in Sam’s world. Except when that dog’s around! But, overall, I’m pleased.
M: Good to hear! I’ll check back to see your progress with Sam. I’m sure there will be more stories ahead.
TAU: You can bet on it.
***
There hasn’t been one Caterview that went in a predictable direction. Tau’s right. As the author, I should have known about his past. But he arrived in Baga Shores with very little fanfare and no history. You heard more about him today than anyone else has, including me!
We’re coming to the end of the Caterviews. Next month, Blanco is our final star. Most of you met him in CONVINCING EMILY, the free read for signing up for this newsletter. If you have any questions you’d like me to ask him, email me, and I’ll work them in. If you need to catch up on the previous Caterviews, check my blog at https://candacecolt.com/a-blog-full-of-whimsical-thoughts/