Tranquility, by Amy Friedman

Kathleen turned her gaze from the fire to the window. The feral cats were doing well – they had come out from under the porch. The kittens bounced around in the sunshine while Mama Cat padded along the window sill, miaowing to be let in. “Not so feral anymore, are you Mama?” said Kathleen as she opened the window. Just a few inches. She loved watching Mama Cat shimmy through the gap, trying vainly to balance on her paws before slipping to the floor with a thud. Kathleen knew she was being mean, but an old woman needed her small pleasures.