Chapter 20

BarCat was sitting in his usual spot on the bar in the Zodiac Bistro. It was coming on Christmas, coming on Yule, Solstice, or whatever your holiday is.

The Zodiac Bistro was decked out in its most splendid winter décor, with string lights hung from every available space around the bar. Large, shiny white snowflakes were hanging from the ceiling, and all sorts of garlands were tacked anywhere they could be attached. In the back, a ball of mistletoe was hanging from the ceiling, which everyone seemed to be avoiding. Seasonal music was playing, and the big TVs showed burning Yule fireplaces, all giving the Bistro a soft glow and warmth.

BarCat was at the bar, enjoying all the Christmas Cheer. Patrons are very generous this time of year with tips and drinks. BarCat wore a Santa hat. At first, he hated it. But the ladies thought it was so cute, and they scratched him and bought him drinks or food.

It was a busy evening. BarCat made the rounds several times and enjoyed all sorts of tidbits handed to him. Slices of steak, bits of burger, and a nice piece of fish were just some of the treats he relished.

The talk was mostly about gift-giving. What could someone get for their significant other, or what did this customer dream of getting one Christmas.

These days, it is mainly about the things people need. Many would be content not getting laid off just before the holidays.

BarCat listened. He understood their issues. Most folks at the Bistro were not greedy. One woman hoped she could scrape together enough money to have her mom fly in to visit. Airfare was outrageous for people on fixed incomes or living week to week on their paychecks, and she could not get the time off to see her mom.

A young man wanted to get his son a bike. They were so expensive this year. He and his wife had saved all year to afford one, but they still had not come up with enough, and other bills needed to be paid.

One woman sat in the corner nursing her drink. She was holding a picture of her son in a military uniform, wondering if he would make it home for the holidays this year.

As BarCat wandered around the bar, he heard lots of heartfelt wishes for the holidays, some for themselves, many for others. No matter what the talking heads on the news were saying, the money they claimed people were making did not stretch far enough. This year, the season was not very cheery.

He wandered past a table Pete had just finished clearing. He noticed a bag on the floor. He gave it a sniff, and it smelled sweet. Sticking his paw in the bag, his claw caught onto something. He pulled it out, and it stuck to his claw. He tried to shake it off, but it stuck tight. He bit it. Yum, he thought. Sweet! Tasty with an unfamiliar aftertaste. But he is a cat, so he ate it.

He batted the bag around, trying to get more out, when Pete took it away. "Whatcha got there, buddy?" he asked as he read the bag. He looked surprised. "Did you eat any of this?" Pete looked at BarCat, but he just sat there, licking his paw and cleaning his face. He was pissed, as Pete had taken away his prize.

Pete laughed. "Best tip I've had all year, and it's almost full." He scratched BarCat's head. "Well, if you did, I hope you enjoy it." And he put the bag in his pocket. "It will be a pleasant evening after all."

BarCat had no idea what Pete was talking about. He went back to his place at the bar.

It was about half an hour later that gummy kicked in. BarCat was feeling quite mellow, laid back, and very content. He thought, wow, this is even better than what they give me in the glass.

He sat there, high as a kite, and he thought about the people he had heard talking earlier. He felt like helping a few. The bike will show up as an anonymous gift, so the parents could use the money for other essential things. The young man in the Armed Forces will be home for the holidays. And the mother will win a plane ticket, which she will use to visit her daughter.

But there is always someone who will try to spoil his mood.

He was drunk. BarCat wondered how he was still conscious and walking. The man sat down next to BarCat, making a face at the cat. He ordered a drink. Pete handed him the drink, and he dropped it, splashing it all over BarCat.

"Stupid cat, see what you made me do? Barkeep, another drink, please. Your cat got my first one." He and Pete talked briefly, and Pete got him another drink.

He tried to talk to Pete after that, but it was a busy night at the bar, and Pete ignored him, much to Pete's satisfaction. The customer looked at BarCat. "So, cat, what gives you the right to sit on the bar? Are you one of those animals that begs to be fed scraps?" He took a sip of his drink. "Everyone wants something. It's always I want this, and I want that. Christmas is nothing but people leaching off other people. I hate this time of year!"

He took another sip of his drink. "You know what I want. I want to live in a cave until this whole holiday thing is over." He then slammed down his drink and stormed out of the bar.

Pete came by to pick up the glass. He looked into BarCat's eyes. "You ate one of those gummies, didn't ya, Bud. Sorry about that. Well, enjoy your evening." He smiled at BarCat, scratched him behind the ear, and went to wait on my customers.

BarCat sat on the bar, contemplating the season. So many needs, and yet, here's this guy who just can't seem to see that sometimes humans need to make themselves, or someone else, happy.

BarCat likes happy humans. He gets more drinks and food from happy humans.

He decided. He would grant every person who has been to the bar this evening their holiday wish. Even the guy who dropped his drink on him. He especially needed to have his holiday wish granted so he would also be happy. And if living in a cave for the holidays will make him happy, so be it. Everyone should be happy for the holidays.

Happy Holidays from BarCat and the staff and customers of the Zodiac Bistro. May all your holiday wishes come true.