Recently, I had the honor of attending the San Diego Writer's Festival. It was a wonderful event where I got to meet new people and learn about writing, but as an introvert, there was a point where my people meter started to dial back. The happy bustle and excitement got to be a bit much, and I needed a quiet moment to regroup. I stepped out a workshop and scanned the grounds for a secluded table to sit and eat the cheese and crackers I had brought. I spotted one at the edge of the courtyard in the shade away from all the vendors and food trucks, and made a beeline for it. As I sat down and began to munch on mozzarella sticks and sliced bell peppers, I heard something I hadn't expected to hear at a busy festival.
A Meow.
I blinked and set down my food, looking around. The festival was set up inside a high school, so we weren't close enough to a residence or even a street to expect to see a pet. I walked around to the other side of the table and found this beautiful grey tabby blinking at me.
The kitty had an airtag on their collar and looked well fed, so I wasn't worried they were lost, but I was pleasantly surprised to see them. I offered them some of my cheese, but they just wanted to hang out. I happily accepted their offer of companionship for the remainder of my meal. They seemed calm despite the proximity to the crowd. Two other ladies joined us, and we agreed that the kitty probably belonged to the school. A little later, the school custodian came by and carried the cat away, confirming our theory. I don't know the kitty's name, but a cat was the perfect companion for a quiet lunch between workshops.
Animals offer us company while taking so little of our energy. They demand so little of our attention and focus while still giving us unconditional affection and sharing space with us. It's no wonder that so many bookstores have a cat attached to them, and it appears that so did this school. This little grey tabby made my day by coming up to me and offering their quiet and undemanding company.
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