Megan purrs. She lies in a soft warm hollow in the Meadow, and Cheeper is whispering to Katie while Snowman dabs at Mini's tail. She leans against Snowman, a little bit heavier than necessary, to get his attention.
"Yes," Snowman giggles, "I know you're here!"
Mini headbonks Megan. "And we are sooo glad!"
"Settle down," calls Katie. "I need my beauty sleep!"
"Boy, and does she!" sasses Cheeper, and Katie promptly races after him, giggling at the surprise on her brother's face as they roll over and over in the Meadow.
"That looks like fun," says Megan carefully. In life, toward the end, moving was very difficult, and breathing after a tussle like that would have been impossible. She is a little afraid to try it, even here.
"Why aren't you joining us? Running is fun!"
"Yes. Why don't you?"
"Don't you want to play?"
The small faces of her friends surround her.
"Because it used to hurt when I do things like that."
"Not anymore." At the rumble of that voice, Megan turns around. Her dear friend, the Wolf, smiles down at the pretty gray-striped cat. She smiles back with relief. Where the Wolf is, there is no danger or sorrow, and all the memories of hurtful times gradually fade.
He leans toward her and nuzzles her soft cheek with his nose.
"There is no pain here, sweet Megan," he says, "and even now the memories are fading."
"But, but I remember my mama." and Megan's chin quivers.
"And you always will."
"I miss her, Wolf," says Megan softly.
Katie and Snowman, Mini and Cheeper move closer to Megan, and Snowman bows his head. His mama's face is always familiar to him, and he misses her, too.
"She will be here in good time, dear one. All of you know that, don't you?" says the Wolf.
The little heads begin to nod, gazing upward at the great Wolf.
"Yes," says Mini. "She will come for all of us! And then she will take us across the Bridge!"
"But how will she hold all of us?" asks Cheeper, frowning.
"Oh, Cheeper, that is easy. Your mama has arms like mine!" laughs the Wolf, sweeping them all up into his great embrace.
"And now, go play with Max and Kinker. Max is new here, too, and Kinker is showing him the great Tree next to the Brook."
There is a soft thunder of small paws as the five young cats run toward the Brook, with Megan in the lead. Max, a lovely and good-natured cream and orange cat, is in deep conversation with Kinker, who has been waiting to welcome him to the Meadow.
The seven cats play in the early afternoon sun, watching the reeds dance. They race up and down the Tree, and Max dabs a paw in the sparkling water.
"It's so nice here," whispers Max to Megan, who sits next to him.
"I know," says Megan, watching her new friend, and taking a deep, deep breath of air.
"We're in the Meadow now," and Megan smiles in perfect joy.