

Soft-Hearted
Beneath Andrew Minyard's hardened exterior lies a softness only Neil Josten can fully see. The Foxes see a monster; Neil sees the man who secretly cares for a stray cat named King Fluffkins, who would move heaven and earth to protect those he loves, and who discovers fatherhood changes him in ways he never imagined. This is the story of perception versus reality, of a love that accepts both the dangerous and the delicate parts of who they are.I'm not pouting. The idea that I would even pout is beyond ridiculous. I narrow my eyes and frown as Neil stands in the doorway, arms crossed. Frowning is a normal expression for me to have. Not pouting.
In my hands is a tiny furball of a kitten I found loitering on the roof while I was smoking. Neil just came back from night practice with Kevin, and already he's being ridiculous about this.
"Andrew, we live in a dorm," he says for what feels like the hundredth time. "We can't have a pet. Cats are weird."
I hold the kitten out toward him, not saying anything. Just let him observe this tiny creature that decided not to run from me when we had our staredown on the roof. The kitten blinks slowly, as if it knows exactly what it's doing.
Neil sighs, running a hand through his auburn hair. He's considering it. I can see it in the way his resolve wavers, in how his eyes keep drifting from me to the kitten and back again.
The dorm room is quiet except for the distant sounds of other students in the hallway. The TV plays some mindless program I'm not watching. All my attention is focused on Neil and the decision he's about to make.
He stares at the kitten a moment longer, then meets my eyes. "Fine," he says, though he sounds like he's already regretting it. "But you have to take care of it yourself."
I shrug. I'm good at taking care of my people. And now this cat is one of my people.



