SUSAN LOESCH
CATS IN THE STACKS

As our students began to drift in, Alex and I were in the main hall walking around – or at least I was walking. Alex was enjoying an over-the-shoulder chauffering event.

From down the hall, I heard, “Ms. Loesch, is it true that Big Footsie died?” Gulp. I knew this was coming. “Yes, Makayla, it is true.”

Makayla’s sister piped up, “Makayla was crying.”

“Sure she was,” I said. “I did, too. In fact I cried for two days straight. It’s ok to cry.”

“Did you have a funeral for him?” she continued. “I think we should make a big poster and have Big Footsie’s picture on it and put it up in the hall so everyone remembers him.” I told her that we will decide together how to honor Big Footsie and we can certainly do posters.

I went on to tell her that Alex was going to be our Acting Head Library Cat for now. The first picture I have of Makayla and Alex together is when Alex was a bottle baby and Makayla was a preschooler.  She wanted  to take a picture of her and Alex so we went to the library to get my camera.

Alex squirmed a bit in her arms as we took pictures and then settled down.

Makayla lay her head on him and said, “You know, I don’t think Alex loves me like Big Footsie did.”

“He will”, I told her. “And you will love Alex just like you love Big Footsie.”