Kleo of the Trees: Episode 4
Written and Created by Vember Judgement

The silence at the dinner table was deafening. Grandma Shaw sat there with a stare that could burn through steel. Terry sat there stunned, not knowing what to say. Sitting next to him was Scratch, who couldn't take her eyes off him. Sitting at his opposite side was Cathy, who mostly poked at the soul food on her plate. Wesley ended up stuck sitting next to Grandma Shaw, turning away from her in a mock disgust. Standing a few feet away was Kleo, wondering what to do next.

"So sonny-boy...Don't you think it's time to send away the maid and say grace?" Grandma Shaw said, thumping her bible down on the table. Terry could feel the sweat drip down the back of his neck.

"Um, sure nana...Um, Kleo, you are dismissed now."

"Dismissed? Can't I eat with the rest of you?" Kleo said in a huff. Grandma Shaw raised her left eyebrow.

"Such insolence! You should fire this young tart immediately!" Grandma Shaw said out loud, slamming her hand on the bible and causing everyone to jump. It felt like a river of sweat was now running down Terry's back.

"Um, Kleo...Please leave so we can go on with our meal."

"But Terry, I'm hungry..." Kleo whined. Cathy quickly got out of her chair and walked up to her. She grabbed Kleo's arm and lead her out of the dining room. Terry sighed and tried his best not to have direct eye contact with his grandmother.

"Cotton-headed old biotch..."

"What did you just call me!?" Grandma Shaw said, turning to Wesley He just sat there and smiled.

"Um, nothing Nana! That was my stomach growl'n!" he said. Grandma Shaw's lip curled.

"Boy, wipe that stupid grin off yer face, I know what you said! You should be ashamed of yerself, treating an old widow like that..."

“I'm so sorry, I'm a bit tired from working all day. Forgive me?” Grandma Shaw's lip curled even tighter.

“Boy, you ever speak to me in such a way, I'll whack you into next Tuesday, you hear?”

“I hear, and I obey..” Wesley said with a mocking tone. Terry buried his face in his hands.
“Speaking of work, how is that ghetto styled excuse for a shoe store holding up?” Grandma Shaw said, glaring back at Terry.

“Business is really good, actually. Sneaker sales are always good in this city.”

“Hmmm, yes. Thuggish footwear for boys who can't keep their pants up.”

“There not all thugs...” Scratch whispered, fidgeting in her chair.  

“Sure, whatever, missy. Terry, why don't you close down that two bit store and set up shop at 5th Avenue? You're sure to make a mint there.”

“Nana, I've told you before, I'm not into that scene. Just because I have money doesn't mean I have to be a snob.”

“Harumf! Snobbery has nothing to do with it. It would do you good to deal with more refined clients...”

“Nana...”

Cathy promptly returned and sat back at the table. Once she did so, Grandma Shaw commenced with saying grace. Terry bowed his head and wanted to pray, but he was more worried about Kleo.

"Don't worry, I put her in my room for now. She's sad though..." Cathy whispered to Terry. Hearing that broke his heart a little.

"Grace. Now dig in !" Grandma Shaw suddenly shouted and began devouring the food in front of her. Everyone sat stunned and watched her eat as if she hadn't had a good meal in ages. Terry took his fork and was about to dig in hen he heard the faint cry of  cat's meow.

“The Hell?” While everyone was preoccupied with their meal, he took a quick peek under the table to find Kleo at his feet on her hands and knees, wearing some sort of sexy cat outfit. It barely covered her up, with bits of red fur covering her chest and lower regions. On her head was two huge cat ears made of the same material. On her hands and feet were paws.

“Meow! Gimmie food!” she said playfully, curling her hands in a paw like manner.

“Another pet?” Grandma Shaw said, her mouth full of food. Terry eyes widened.

“Um, yeah, a kitty cat...”

“Since when did we own a cat?” Cathy said, also with a mouth full of food. Terry made a motion for her to look under the table.

“don't you remember when we picked her out the other day?” Terry said, pointing downward with his fork. She quickly looked under her table and came back up with a shocked look.

“Oh crap, she found my sexy cat suit...”

“Sexy what?” Grandma Shaw said in shock. Cathy scratched the back of her head.

“I didn't say anything!” she said with a grin on her face. More meowing started to emanate from under the table.

“Kleo, what are you doing? Are you nuts?”Terry whispered down to Kleo. She smiled.

“Feed your cat, dammit, she be hungry!” she whispered back playfully.

“What's with all this whispering?” Grandma shaw asked, about to take a peek herself under the table. Terry quickly stood up.

“It's okay Nana, I'm just talking to my cat. Lemme go down and shoo her away...” Terry proceeded to go under the table while Grandma Shaw stared at him strangely. Kleo immediately crawled up to him and rubbed her face against his.

“Meow...”

“Look Kleo, this isn't funny...You got to get out from under here before my nana sees you.”

“But whyyyyy...Meow.”

“Because I don't want that ball buster on my case, okay?”

“But Terrryyyy...”

“Go, now!” In one sudden move, Kleo pounced on to of him and began to purr. Terry stared up at her lovely face and started to blush.

“What the heck is go'n on under there!?” Grandma Shaw said angrily. She attempted to peak under the table again when Cathy stood up and shoved some iced lemon pie in her face.

“Here's some more of that delicious pie, Nana! And I'll sing for you while you eat!” she practically screamed out. Grandma Shaw cocked her head before accepting the dessert.

“..Why thank you dear. And I do love hearing your voice. Sing that song I like so much.”

Cathy stood up and began to sing as loudly as she could, reciting the lyrics to 'The Dukes of Hazard'. Wesley twisted a smile before looking under the table out of curiosity. He let out a huge laugh upon seeing Kleo leaning over Terry.

“Aw yeah! Terry, you absolute baddass! I didn't know you were into the whole furry thing!”

“What the...Stop looking and eat your meal!”

“Aw c'mon man, I wanna see you pet the pussy!”

“Would you two please leave that cat alone and eat your meal!” Grandma said while devouring her pie. Scratch brought her left fist to her mouth upon looking under the table.

“Oh..my...Is that an appropriate thing to do during dinnertime, Mr. Shaw?” she said in her usually mousy tone.

“Yayy, let everyone play under here, Terry, let's have a 'under the table party!” Kleo said,  moving her butt back and forth to make the tail attached sway back and forth.

“That sounds like a good idea, fuck yeah!” Wesley screamed out, starting to crawl under the table. Grandma Shaw threw down her fork.

“This is very disruptive, I'm going to lock that cat up in the bathroom so we can finish our meal in peace!” She bent down and saw everyone there and let out a great gasp. Terry, in a total panic attack, pushed Kleo aside and stood up, knocking the entire table over. Food flew in every direction, with a bit of ginger ham landing square in Cathy's mouth and ceasing her singing. The remaining bit of the black walnut meat loaf landed on Grandma Shaw, getting entangled in her bushy hair.

“Nana...I can explain...” Grandma Shaw's face reddened.

“What in the sam-hell's going on here!? What kind of depraved perverted activity is go'n on in this apartment!”

“Well, you see, we picked up this homeless girl, who I saved from getting hit by a truck, and-”

“That would be me, meow!” Kleo said happily, sitting on the floor and looking up at everyone. Grandma Shaw grew even redder.

“Picking up homeless girls and dressing them up? What kind of a sick freak have you become!? Your parents, God rest their souls, must be turning in their grave knowing their son has become a class one screwup!”

“Okay, that's enough!” Terry screamed out, shocking everyone in the room. He walked up to Grandma Shaw and pointed a finger at her.

“I'm getting just a little sick and tired of you badmouthing my business, my friends, everything! I'm busting my butt trying to lead a good life here, taking care of Cathy and doing right by my parents! But no matter how hard I try, you crap all over me! Why don't you get out and roll your old bones back to Jersey and leave me alone, you...Loud-mouthed windbag!” Grandma Shaw began to breath very heavily. She stared into Terry's eyes and save his anger towards her. She then put on an angry smile and let out a chuckle.

“About time you grew a pair...”

Shrugging her shoulders, Grandma Shaw headed for the door, picking out bits of meatloaf from her hair. Terry and the others stood stunned.

“Your grandfather and father were tough men. They knew how to handle themselves in any situation. But you, I thought you were nothing more than a spoon-fed coward, the way you took my crap. Looks like there's hope for you yet...” With that said, Grandma Shaw walked out of the penthouse.

“Wow...You finally slayed that old dragon, boss...” said Wesley, walking over and putting an arm around Terry.

“I...I guess I did.”

“Um..Mr. Shaw? That homeless girl disappeared...” Terry looked over at Scratch then saw that Kleo had indeed disappeared. He pretty much had an idea where she ran off to.

“Okay, I'll go look for her, while the rest of you clean up this mess for me. Consider it overtime.”

“Aw yeah, time and a half pay!” Wesley cheered, immediately starting to clean., As Scratch joined him, Terry pointed at Cathy.

“And you, young lady,  I want you to give me any so-called sexy clothes you have hidden away. I'll give them back when you're 45 or something.”

“Hey, I spent good money on them!”

“No buts, or I'll tell your goth friends about your Bratz fetish.”

“Meany!” Cathy said, sticking her tongue out.

------------

The night was cool and pleasant, the lights of the city illuminating the sky. Terry found Kleo sitting up in the tree, looking a bit sad as she peered up at the half moon.
“Hey Kleo...What's up, you ran off so suddenly.” She didn't respond. Terry let out a sigh and knew what he had to do. He proceeded to climb the tree and sit next to her.

“Hey, what's the matter?”

“I'm sorry...”

“For?”

“I'm barely in your life a whole day and nearly ruined it. I'll understand if you want me to leave.”

“But you...You don't have anyplace to go, right?”

“No...I'll have to go back to sleeping in Central Park, up in the trees...”

“You seem like a very nice girl..A bit on the wild side, but nice. How'd you end up on the street?” Kleo stopped her moon gazing and stared into Terry's eyes.

“Well...My parents died when I was 16, and they died in debt. They were my only family, so I didn't have anyone who'd take care of me. So before the town had a chance to put me in foster care, I ran away and came to NY. I want to be a singer, it's always been my dream. But of course dreams don't always come true. So since I arrived, I've been sleeping in the trees and singing for quarters on the street. Pathetic, huh?” Terry could see tears welling up in her eyes.

“Chasing dreams isn't pathetic. Most people don't have the strength to chase them. I find it highly respectable that despite your situation, you are still trying. You're quite a girl, Kleo.”

“Really...You think so?” said Kleo, wiping the tears away. Terry gave her a warm smile.

“Well now...Seems since I saved your life and all that I'm somewhat responsible for you. Besides, I'd feel bad turning away such a cute girl like you, despite the chaos you seem to create.”

“So, you won't throw me out on the street?” Kleo said innocently. Terry shook his head.

“No, I won't. So here's the deal. I'll let you live here until you can afford to live on your own. I'll set you up with a job at my shoe store and pay you extra for the little jobs needed to be done here. And I'll help you with your singing career if you want. Sound good?”

“Oh Terry!” Kleo cried out, hugging him. Terry could feel her soft breasts pressing against his side, causing him to blush.

“I promise to work hard for you..Really really hard!”

“Speaking of hard...Mind not hugging me so tight in that outfit...”

“Awww, you're blushing! 'm not too...Sexy to work for you, am I?”

“Kleo...”

“I saw how you looked at me when I was dressed as a maid, so I know what you like...” Kleo hugged tighter.

“So what, do I call you 'master' like I did earlier? And how best shall I 'service you', huh?”

“Terry...is just fine...” he said, his face resembling the color of a tomato. Kleo let him go and slapped him on the shoulder.

“Look at you, all red from embarrassment! I'm gonna have so much fun teasing you!” Kleo leaned over and kissed Terry on the cheek. Not prepared for that, Terry ended up leaning backward and fell off the branch.

“OH no, Terry, or you okay!?” Kleo cried out. Terry lied on the ground and smiled.

“I'm fine, Kleo. Really. In fact, I already have a job for you to do...”

“Meow?”

“Be a dear and call a doctor for me. I think I broke my ass bone...”

End of Episode Four