It was hard not to make eye contact as he sat on the shelf grinning.
I thought I knew him, but a sensation akin to being unplugged
jolted me from my stupor and I stared back.

​

I grabbed Linda’s hand. “Is Fishcake giving you Cheshire Cat vibes today?”
“Oh honey, that precious cat sends me to Wonderland evvvveeryyy day!”
she replied, flouncing away dementedly,
the sound of her mad cackling trailing in her wake.

​

Something’s off.
He’s still staring at me.
And grinning.
Did he always have that many teeth?

​

I looked over again. But this time,
I grinned back. Wider and wider.
My lips stretching across my face.
I whispered “stop it” and with a hiss
unleashed my snake’s tongue, grey and forked, reptilian, across his feline face.

​

He’s not grinning anymore.
Two can play at this game.