Act of Charity

A Thursday Prompt story
© 2018 by Walter Reimer


prompt: jacket


The feline footfalls could be heard on the stairs, and Jim tried to ignore the approaching sound and stay focused on his computer. The term paper wasn’t going to write itself – well, he could cheat, but all papers were washed through two specific websites by his professor. He’d get a failing grade if the sites fingered him for plagiarizing.

“Hey Jim!” The rabbit tore his gaze away from the computer, pushed his glasses back up his nose, and gave the cat a look that could turn fresh milk into yogurt. “Can I borrow your coat?”

The look quickly changed from turning fresh milk into yogurt into turning fresh milk into aged Parmesan.

In seconds.

The rabbit’s grayish-brown fur bristled and he shook his ears at the feline. “What?!” he barked in an aggravated tone.

“I said, can I borrow your coat tonight?” The cat’s ears canted forward and he looked at Jim’s computer screen. “You’re not going anywhere tonight, and I just got off the phone with Candace. She got two tickets for Steel Raptor, and she wants me to come with her!” A wistful look crossed the fellow’s muzzle. “I might even get laid afterward.”

Jim repositioned his glasses again. “Shakespeare said, ‘Neither a borrower nor a lender be,’ Sam.”

There was a brief moment while Sam tried to recall if there was anyone in their class with that name.

“What do you need my coat for?” the rabbit asked.

“Dude, it’s an outdoor concert – and I’ll freeze to death,” the hairless Sphynx said, and inspiration struck him. “Besides, the Bible says that if anyone asks you for your coat, give him your cloak as well.” This wasn’t the exact wording, but the furless feline had heard it that way before somewhere.

Jim glowered at him and threw up his paws. “Fine! It’s in my closet. Now, go away and leave me alone, okay? I have to get this finished.”

“Sure, dude,” and Sam practically jumped to the closet, where he pulled out a thickly-padded parka with an attached hood. “Thanks, Jim, I owe you one.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever,” the rabbit said irritably as he went back to his work.

The Sphynx shouldered into the parka and zipped it up before he reached the front door of the building. The forecast that night was for temperatures in the fifties, and without fur he wouldn’t have a good time at all. The heavy coat would help keep him warm so he could enjoy the music and Candace’s company.

Not in that order, of course.

He hurried across the quad to Candace’s building and waved as the Siamese/calico stepped out, car keys in paw. “Hey, Sam!” They kissed and started for the parking lot. “Nice coat.”

“It’s not mine,” the Sphinx said. “I haven’t got one yet, so I borrowed Jim’s.” He stuck his paws in the pockets, and suddenly brightened. “He’s more generous than I thought.”

“Why do you say that?” Candace asked as she circled around to the driver’s side of her Tucker Ariel.

Sam held up a crumpled piece of paper. “He left me – twenty bucks! – in the pockets.”



end