A Ridiculous Cat Bill and a Missing Friend

On Christmas Eve, my friend, Lenny Gibson, sends me a text message.

"I've rented a Maybach for our cat so that we can go back to our hometown for the holidays. It'll be seven thousand dollars per person. The car is fitted with air conditioning and security cameras. Don't you think this is a good deal?"

I glance at my bank app, which has just deducted my monthly house mortgage from my account.

"Nah. Bebe isn't a spoiled princess. I can't afford to rent such an expensive car."

The next day, I receive a selfie of Lenny hugging Bebe while seated in the Maybach.

"It's such a shame that you aren't here, Noah. The Maybach's owner is a hot chick, not to mention she's kind-hearted enough to give me a ride home as well!"

On the evening of Christmas, I hear sounds of rapid knocking coming from the front door as soon as I enter the house.

Lenny's anxious parents can be seen standing on the doorstep.

"Is Lenny here with you? He hasn't come home at all! He told us yesterday that he wanted to prepare a birthday gift for you, so he had us give him 20 thousand dollars!"

Before I can recover from my shock, the police come knocking on my door as well.

It turns out that I'm the last person Lenny has contacted…

I was just getting ready for a nap when Lenny's message came through.

"Seven thousand dollars—what a lucky number. It's the Christmas season, so of course we can't shortchange our furbabies. This is my bonus. Our cat is a little princess, and she deserves only the best."

I didn't read the rest of his messages, because the moment I saw seven thousand dollars, I was so shocked that all my sleepiness vanished.

I quickly typed back, "Seven thousand dollars?"

"Yeah," Lenny replied immediately. "Our cat is a little princess. Just imagine how jealous the other cats would be if they rode back in a Maybach."

I stared at this message, still reeling in disbelief.

Even I, the owner, had never ridden in a Maybach. Yet, Lenny expected me to spend seven thousand dollars so my cat could ride in one?

Seeing that I didn't reply, Lenny immediately sent a voice message.

"Why aren't you replying? I'm doing you a favor here."

I sighed and screenshotted the message my boss, Zane Hampton, had sent me that morning to show Lenny.

It wasn't like I was trying to be difficult. The company wasn't doing well, and I was worried about getting laid off.

Thinking of this, I wrote, "Lenny, I'm about to lose my job. So, I'm definitely not in the same boat as you, who's getting a year-end bonus. I'd love to go back with you, but I really can't afford to split the fare, nor am I shameless enough to tag along."

The "typing" indicator showed for quite a while.

Then, Lenny replied, "I'd like to help cover your share too, but my bonus is just enough for me to buy my parents new clothes."

After I said I understood, he stopped sending messages.

When I got home late after working overtime, Bebe, my cat, meowed at me.

I cradled her in my arms.

"You're my little princess, Bebe. But I don't have the money to let you ride in a Maybach. I can only send you by air freight. Sorry, my little princess."

Bebe nestled docilely against my chest, and my heart absolutely melted at the sight of it.

It'd only cost one thousand dollars to fly Bebe back by air freight. Besides, I wasn't exactly rolling in money, so why would I choose to spend seven thousand dollars on a ride home?

Bebe was my furbaby, so it was only natural that she could understand where I was coming from.

I felt relieved that I'd managed to save the seven thousand dollars. That was an entire month's pay, and I'd have to go without eating to save it.

That night I dreamed, and even in my dream I was happy that the seven thousand dollars hadn't gone to waste.

Early the next morning, I checked Bebe in for air freight and set off on my way home.

On the plane, I was already planning what gifts I'd buy for my parents with the remaining six thousand dollars.

By the time I got home, dusk had fallen.

My mother, Josephine Frost, had filled the house with the aroma of her cooking.

My father, Malcolm Freeman, took the gifts from my hands and couldn't stop smiling.

I hadn't even sat down to eat when the loud, frantic banging on the door began.

I opened the door and found Lenny's mother, Briana Hall, standing outside. Her eyes were frighteningly red, her hair messy and disheveled.

"Lenny? Where is he?"

I was completely confused. "Mrs. Gibson, I didn't come back with Lenny."

She shoved past me and pushed open the room doors one by one to look inside.

"Lenny, come out right now. Your dad and I are here to pick you up."

But the only reply was the hollow sound of the wind.

I walked over and asked, "Mrs. Gibson, I think there's been a misunderstanding. Lenny's not with me."