Shadow regretted how she treated Rocky about his eating disorder. She knows he is not trying to be bad, that he has an addiction to food. She realized she treated Rocky the way her mom treated her, with distaste. As Phoebe her BFF would tell her, she needs to make amends, She hates when she has to do that, but she knew she needed to clear her side of the street if she was to stay off drinking iced tea to cope with her feelings. She called Phoebe for support “Hi Phoebe, I need to make amends I don’t want to make. It’s involving Rocky. I sprayed him with water when he was having a fit we wouldn’t feed him. It’s something my mother would do to me,” said Shadow. Phoebe said, “You’re doing the right thing. We as teaholics can’t afford to have resentments as it will take us out. Ask your spirit animal for the strength to make the amends,’ said Phoebe. “Ok, I will. I will pray on it also. I know I need to do it. Thanks for the support,” said Shadow…
Shadow heard Rocky’s temper tantrum and she had had enough. She got up from her bed and headed for her bathroom for the water bottle sprayer she brought last week. She stormed into the kitchen and began to spray water at Rocky. Startled and surprised Rocky stopped acting out over wanting food. “Why’d you do that. You know cats hate water,” whimpered Rocky. “I’m tired of your behavior around being fed. I’ve had it up to here,” said Shadow angrily as she put her hand up in the air. Shadow realized part of her anger was she couldn’t control Rocky, just like she couldn’t control her mother. And that made her pissed. “From now on, every time you carry-on about food, I will spray you with water. Enough is Enough!,” said Shadow as she headed back to her room to think about how much of her anger was due to talking about her mother at her therapy session today…
On the drive home after their therapists’ appointments, Shadow and Rocky sat in silence neither one speaking to the other. Rocky was angry at Shadow for making him go, and Shadow was too upset about her mother issues that she didn’t wish to speak to anyone
When they got home each went their separate way. Rocky made a beeline to the refrigerator and began to whine he was hungry, Shadow went to her bedroom and laid down on her bed where she began to cry.
Thom heard Rocky crying for food and meowing loudly. He went to the kitchen and found Rocky on the flood having a hissy fit to no one in particular. “Had a bad therapy appointment, huh, little guy?” said Thom to Rocky withering on the floor. “Yes, and I am hungry.” It’s only 10:00 AM. Lunch isn’t for a couple of hours,” said Thom. That remark caused Rocky to get louder and put on more of a show on how desperately he has hungry. “You can wait until lunch,” said Thom as he left the room.
After Thom left, Rocky made his way to the kitchen trash bag. He sniffed at it and smelled the sweet essence of food. He then attacked the bag and found morsels of chicken meat inside. He ate the chicken as if he had never eaten before…
Shadow and Rocky made their way up the long walkway to Suite 310. Shadow tentatively opened the door to the suite. Inside she saw there were seats but no receptionist. Another patient was waiting in one of the chairs. Rocky noticed the walls hung serene pictures of flowers and mountainscapes. Shadow and Rocky took their seats and waited for the therapists to come and get them.
‘Shadow, good morning. Please come with me,” said Shadow’s therapist, Mr. Ruthless. He led her down a hallway to the third door. Please have a seat. Shadow nervously took a seat directly across from Mr. Ruthless.
Meanwhile, a short while later, Ms. Hardnose came and got Rocky. Rocky followed her to the second door down the hallway. Ms, Hardnose had Rocky take a seat.. “Tell me why you are here,” said Ms. Hardnose. “My sister made me come. She keeps telling me I eat too much. I can’t help it. I am also hungry. I’m still a kitten,” said Rocky. I see. Do you think you overeat?” said Ms. Hardnose. “I don’t, I am growing and need food constantly,” said Rocky. Can I tell you my observation?” said Ms. Hardnose. “I don’t like the sound of that,” said Rocky putting his head down. “I see a scared kitten that is eating to hide his feelings. You look like a bowling ball. A kitten should be lean. I am concerned for you,” said Ms. hardnose. “If you’re tired of eating your feelings, we have some work to do. That’s all the time we have. Will I see you next week? “Yes, I think so, said, Rocky. Rocky got up and went back to the lobby.
“Shadow what made you come in here today?” asked Mr. Ruthless.. “I’ve been feeling sad about my mother. She has dementia and Alhiemzers and is close to the end of her life,” I have mixed feelings about my mother. She sexualized me at a young age and molested me. I one side I’m happy she is dying and on the other I am sad, “I understand where you are coming from. I feel I can help you. We will need to talk about your kittenhood and your upbringing. Are you ready to do that?” asked Mr. Ruthless. “I think I am. I”m tired of running front it. I never truly feel happy most of the time. I have nightmares at night due to her behavior,” said Shadow with tears running down her furry face. Our time is up Shadow. I look forward to working with you. Same time next week?” “Yes, thank you, doctor. I am scared but I know ai need to address my mommy issue, said Shadow as she stood up to head back to the lobby.
When Shadow got to the lobby, she saw Rocky sitting by himself. The lobby was empty now. “Come on Rocky, let’s go home,” said Shadow as she reached for his hand to pull him out of the chair. The two held each other’s hand as they headed to the car to head home…
Shadow woke up excited this morning. Today her and Rocky meet their new therapist. She got Rocky up early and had him groom himself. He still had bandages on his head where the horns were removed. Since it was Winter, Shadow told him to wear a beanie to cover up the bandages.
Breakfast this morning consisted of omelets and dry cat food. She even gave Rocky extra, so he wouldn’t whine he was hungry. After they ate breakfast, they were ready to head out to their therapists in Encino. Rocky was nervous and didn’t want to go. “There is nothing wrong with me. I’m just hungry all the time,” said Rocky rubbing his stomach, as shadow put his seatbelt on in the front seat. “There’s something behind your eating non-stop and want to be fed constantly. You are eating your feelings away, I believe,” said Shadow. “I need to see a therapist just as much as you do YOu aren’t doing this alone. We are both seeing one,” continued Shadow.
Shadow turned on the ignition and began to drive to Encino. Rocky began to cry-mumble to himself, “I don’t want to go,” he whimpered as shadow made her way down Reseda Boulevard. “Too bad, you are going. Thom wants you to see a therapist also,” said Shadow as she turned into the parking lot of the therapist’s office. “We are here, she said. Come one let’s go. Our future awaits us,” said Shadow as she stepped out of the car door…
Shadow started making calls to find a therapist for both her and Rocky. She went over her list and found two that seemed reasonable in cost due to a sliding scale. Rocky’s therapist was a female by the name of Kathy Hardnose who specialized in eating disorders, and shadow’s was named Jim Ruthless, who specialized in childhood regression therapy They both have their first appointment on Monday. Shadow was having a difficult time because she heard from her Mother’s caretaker that her mother was nearing the end of life. Shadow had not talked to her mother since 2014 due to differences in opinion and because she moved away when Thom, her owner, moved to Reseda, a suburb of Los Angeles. Shadow had mixed feeling about her mother, and Rocky was triggering some of these feelings toward him. She knew she needed to address her feelings toward her mother and her childhood before she started drinking Iced Teas again to cope…
Rocky got home from receiving the antidote and having his horns removed. He is to rest in bed for a few days but should be back to normal in a couple of days.
Meanwhile, Shadow is searching for a therapist for her and Rocky to deal with their issues. Shadow’s issue being she won’t punish Rocky when he does something wrong and Rocky for the eating disorder that causes Shadow to want to punish him. Deep issues indeed lie ahead…
Dan, the Director of the lab at the FBI, hidden, headquarters, called Baudelaire this morning. “They have found an antidote to reverse the horn growth on Rocky, and I apologize for the mix-up,” said Dan. “Rocky will need to come back to the lab so we can give him the antidote. Can you bring him up here today? The sooner we get rid of the horns the better for all concerned. On a side note, Nurse Blissful has been fired. We looked at the tapes and discovered she was hurting Rocky at night. I’m truly sorry for all of this,” said Dan.”Thank you for the apology. I’ll get Rocky up there this morning. Shadow will be so happy,” said Baudelaire. “I’ll see you shortly, ” he continued. “Goodbye.”
Meanwhile, back at Shadow’s home, Rocky is throwing a fit because Shadow won’t’ feed him beyond what she already has. “I’m hungry,” meowed-cried Rocky. “You just ate, NO!” said Shadow. Rocky began to meow loudly. “I’m hungry!”. “That’s it. I’m taking you to a therapist. There is something behind your eating constantly. You’re only nine months old, and already you look like a bowling ball and getting bigger every day,” said Shadow in response to Rocky’s cries. Just then Shadow’s fake diamond-encrusted cell phone rang.
“Hello,” Said Shadow. “Hi Shadow, I have good news for you and Rocky. They have found an antidote that will shrink Rocky’s horns,” said Baudelaire. “I’ll be there in an hour,” said Baudelaire. Please prepare Rocky for the appointment,” concluded Baudelaire…
Rocky and Shadow waited outside for Bauldel Asa iire
Upon reaching the hidden lab, Baudelaire and Shadow dropped off Rocky. Shadow insisted she stay, so that wretched Nurse Blissful could not harm Rocky again. Baudelaire followed suit and said he, “was staying also.” Rocky was brought into a lab where more blood was taken from him and they removed a piece of his horn. It all took a total of 30 minutes. Rocky was moved from the lab room to the waiting room where Baudelaire and Shadow were waiting.
“You can take him home now. Here are some pain pills for him. We had to remove more of his horn, so he may be in pain. “Rocky, you are free to go now,” said the orderly “You don’t have to tell us twice. Come on Bauelaire let’s blow this popsicle stand,” said Shadow as she stood up and started heading to the elevator. Rocky and Bauldelaire followed suit.
Once in the car, Baudelaire had Rocky and Shadow put the black hoods on their heads. As Rocky was putting his on, he started to meow and complain that he was hungry. “You just ate breakfast,” said Shadow exasperated with Rocky’s eating disorder. Rocky threw a temper tantrum, started kicking and screaming he wanted to be fed. “No, Rocky. You already look like a bowling ball. NO,” said Shadow. Rocky began crying. “I’m hungry,” said Rocky. “Tell yourself you just ate, and you don’t need to eat, Mind over matter,” said Baudelaire.
When they got to Shadow and Thom’s apartment, Bauldlair removed the hoods. “Welcome home,” said Baudelaire. “I have to go to a modeling job. I’ll check up on you later,” continued Baudelaire as he started to drive away.. Rocky threw himself down on the ground, crying he wanted food. “Get up and go to bed. I’m not feeding you. You already ate. I will not be responsible for you getting fat and dying from it.,” said Shadow. Rocky continued to cry and kick and scream on the ground. “Enough, get inside. Rocky refused. Shadow grabbed his paw and started dragging him into the house. Shadow thought, “how embarrassing.” as neighbors watched the show…
“Morning, Rocky. We have to take you back to the lab for further testing,” said Shadow. “I don’t want to go. Can we please not go. They hurt me there,” whined Rocky. “Nurse Blissful has been removed from her care over you. You’ll be safe now. I think they just want more blood and samples of your horns,” said Shadow. “Now, go groom yourself. We don’t want you smelling dirty,” Shadow said. Rocky began grooming himself, starting with his head.
Baudelaire showed up on time. “Are you ready,” asked Baudelaire as Shadow opened the front door to let him in. “Yes, I just have Rocky grooming. I’ll see if he’s done. I’ll be right back,” said Shadow as she headed toward the living room. Rocky was manically cleaning himself. “Baudelaire is here. We need to go now,” said Shadow as she entered the family room. Rocky reluctantly stopped cleaning and made his way to Shadow.
Baudelaire was waiting outside, the back door to his Volvo was opened. Shadow and Rocky got in the back seat. “Please put these on,” said Baudelaire, handing Shadow and Rocky black hoods to place over their heads. Baudelaire got in the driver’s seat, started up the car, and starting making his way to the secret FBI headquarters up in the Los Angeles mountains.
