Querencia (noun): a sanctuary where you feel safe

The arrival of autumn covered the city in a veil of soft winds and fallen leaves. Her favorite time of the year.

Quietly stepping into the warm cafe, she cheerfully greeted her favorite employee.

A white cat whose nose, ears, and paws were the same creamy color as the cafe’s milk latte.

Today, her small friend was asleep on a table, with her face buried in her little paws.

She ordered her usual cappuccino and sat down next to the cat.

The cat’s beautiful hazel eyes looked up at her before it stretched its jaws into a lazy yawn. With the same majesty as an empress, the cat nodded gallantly at her. Then, with little elegant steps, it padded over to her cappuccino cup and plopped down next to it.

It fell back into slumber in seconds. Against the warm coffee, its cream-colored nose twitched in sleepy satisfaction.

The sight of the sleeping cat brought swells of joy and nostalgia into her heart. These were her favorite moments as a vet.

Since the day she rescued it from the frozen streets, it had been able to find the peace it always deserved.