Cat Tales
Becoming Jesse
Real magic works in mysterious ways. Gypsy-cat plays an intriguing part with her own mysterious Magic, spiraling through Jesse’s days and nights. Leaving Stardust clues. Waiting… for Jesse’s light.
Below, find notes for Gypsy-cat ‘s Magic with Jesse.
Gypsy-cat Notes
- P. 4 – Gypsy’s Birthday: Jesse beamed, “It’s Gypsy’s birthday, too. We have the same birthday.” Billy grinned, “Yeah, and you’re both orphans.”
- P. 4 – Gypsy’s Hello: Their black cat, Gypsy, bounced in to join them, and bestowed her trademark “wink”: the tip of her tail and her right ear crooked a salute. It was so fast, it looked like she winked. No one was ever quite sure of it, but it was her own little salutation.
- P. 4 – Gypsy is loyal to Jesse: “Well,” Dearie added, “perhaps Gypsy is a faerie cat, come to watch over Jesse.” Gypsy winked again. “That’d be right.” Billy shook his head with a laugh. “Gypsy follows you everywhere.”
- P. 16 Gypsy comforts Jesse: … the door at the bottom of the stairs opened. In the next moment, he felt a soft padding of cat feet at his arm. “Gypsy,” he whispered, as she jumped into his arms. He felt the Light again. In her eyes. Her glowing cat eyes.
- P. 18 Gypsy is calming: A cup-of-calm was Gypsy, curling into Jesse’s bedcovers. He pet the cat, contritely looking at Dearie from his pillows. / Gypsy sat on Jesse’s chest, staring into his eyes, and Jesse sat up, remembering, “I saw the most beautiful Lights…and I knew…I was safe.
- P. 20 – Gypsy’s favorite treat: Little Gypsy sashayed along behind Jesse and Conor and they looked down, laughing. “Look at Gypsy! I bet she thinks we’re going to the Romanos for her olive treat.” / “Oh, Gypsy,” Jesse smiled, “no Romanos, no olives.”
- P. 20 – Gypsy is wary of Grams Maguire: Gypsy padded along anyway. But at the next floor she stopped. Grams Maguire was leaving her apartment. The little cat hissed, and—pfft—ran back up the steps.
- P. 26 – Vinegar milk from Grams Maguire: “Here’s the milk!” Jesse galloped. But he tipped it over. “Oh no!” he squawked, as the milk slopped onto the floor. / Dearie reached for a cloth as Gypsy dashed toward the milk. But the cat only sneezed and padded away. / Dearie puzzled, “A cat spurning milk?”
- P. 53 – Gypsy likes quiet camaraderie: In the quiet of the kitchen, Conor and Dearie cleaned up the dishes while Gypsy the cat twirly-purred around their legs.
- P. 53 – Gypsy does not like mournful melancholy: “What?” Conor bewildered, soaping the dish. Gypsy prowled away, as Dearie swallowed, and ruefully replied…
- P. 57 – Gypsy hunts, discovers and retrieves: “Gypsy’s the one that found Velvet. She kept pawing at the Maguires’ door, so I knocked there. Grams said, ‘No, they hadn’t seen Velvet,’ but Liam looked in their catch-all-basket—and pulled your Velvet out of the blue.” / “Ohhh,” Jesse drowsed. “Thank you, Gypsy. I’ll thank Grams and Liam tomorrow.”
- P. 63 – Gypsy in the snow: Laughter filled the air and Gypsy couldn’t resist popping out the door. But she instantly sank into the snow up to her chin. Meooow! She yowled like a little banshee. Jesse plowed back through the snow to save her, and she scuttled inside to watch from the window.
- P. 96 – Gypsy loves Love: And then…Conor kissed Aislinn. Gypsy-cat hopped down and bounced to Conor’s legs, twirling in and out.
- P. 105 – Gypsy enjoys sunning herself while the neighbors sing: Gypsy cat followed the Maguires out the door, sitting on the stoop next to Liam. She gave her trademark hello wink and flipped over—stretching out on her back, with her head hanging over the warm step. / Annika Schuyler laughed. “I’d like a cat like that.” / Gypsy gazed at her, as if saying, Thank you. Liam chuckled, “Gypsy magic!” And he sang out a popular song, though he changed one word: “How much is that kitty in the window?” / Grams sang out a long “Meeowww.” The kids looked up, tickled pink, and sang along: “The one with the waggily tail.” Gypsy flipped her tail, and everyone laughed.
- P. 150 – Dearie’s stories of cats: Siobhan remarked, “I didn’t know people thought cats came from Egypt.” She turned to Dearie. “So that’s why you give your cats names from Egypt. Like Pharaoh and Cleopatra and Gypsy.” Her face puzzled. “Wait, is Gypsy a name from Egypt?” Dearie answered, “The word ‘gypsy’ comes from ‘Egyptian’. People thought gypsies were exotic, and Egypt seemed like an exotic place.”
- P. 160 – Gypsy doesn’t like to be hot: Well. The fan was supposed to be blowing on Dearie, but Gypsy had planted herself directly in front of the flowing air; her cat eyes were shut tight and her fur was blown back. / Jesse giggle-burst, “Oh, Gypsy! You look like a faerie cat! Flying, but sitting still!”
- P. 160 – Gypsy knows to stay in the Present Moment: Wiping her brow in the extreme heat, Dearie smirked and looked at Gypsy in front of the fan. Then she looked at her kitchen clock. “Gypsy knows how to be in the NOW.” / Gypsy didn’t move…
- P. 163 – Gypsy is a great hunter: Gypsy had crawled to the edge of the steps, peering into the thick greenery there, and Jesse looked over the stoop. “What do you see, Gypsy?” Something glimmered back at him. “Golly,” he pointed. “Look! I think it’s Mrs. Romano’s gold bracelet!”
- P. 163 – Gypsy will be rewarded: Gypsy leapt into the bushes, and Jesse ran down the steps to find her pawing at the gold bangle. Jesse reached into the bushes and pulled out both the cat and the bracelet. / Mac laughed. “Well! From now on, that Gypsy is going to get all the olives she ever wants!”
- P. 201 – Gypsy dances the Tango: the Tango frolicking in the apartments rose to a crescendo. The grown-ups tangoed. The children tangoed. Gypsy the cat tangoed. Up and down the hallways. Up and down the stairs. Most unexpected.
- P. 209 – Gypsy at the funhouse mirror: Elke laughed. “Look at the cat!” Gypsy was in front of the funhouse mirror hissing at her reflection like a real Halloween cat.
- P. 209 – Cat joke: Teppo Bonheur picked up Gypsy, grinning. “Didja hear the one about the sick cat getting the diagnosis from the doctor? The doc says, ‘Sorry. Bad news. It’s curiosity.’” / Amid the grown-up laughter, Marijke frowned. “I don’t get it.” / Annika explained, “You know! Curiosity killed the cat.”
- P. 245 – Gypsy gets Jesse to pick her up: Conor joined Jesse down in the theater, both smiling up at Dearie on the high flywires. / Gypsy-cat was there, begging to be picked up, and Jesse lifted her, snuggling as he murmeled, “Conor, look at Dearie. She looks…” / “Yes…” Conor reflected. “She looks so…beautiful.” He chuckled, “So joyful… radiant…” His mouth grimmeled, and he added, “Glorious!” / Jesse smiled, “Uhhuh…like an angel.” Gypsy purred loudly while Jesse stared at Dearie in a trance.
- P. 245 – Gypsy seems to have something on her mind: Conor and Jesse laughed with Dearie, but Gypsy leapt from Jesse’s arms, and teased at him to follow her. / “Gypseee!” Jesse chased her up the aisle, through the swinging doors, into the lobby.
- P. 245 – Gypsy wants to ring the theater bell: The little cat headed for the bell tower and Jesse exasperated, “You can’t ring the bells, Gypsy!” But she pounced at the rope. “Oh, you cat!” Jesse laughed. “Okay, just one ring. Just for you, Gypsy.” / He tugged and heard the bell ring out in one glorious peal, like Dearie’s silvery laugh. Jesse felt it humming in his heart.
- P. 246 – What does Gypsy know? He bent down to pet Gypsy and she climbed into his arms, curling against his chest. “Okay, you silly cat. Is that all you wanted?” He stood up. “Let’s go back and see Dearie.” / But from the bell tower to the theater, everything had changed.
- P. 246 – Gypsy has accomplished something… mysterious: Jesse came through the lobby doors, and Gypsy jumped down, resolutely leading him down the aisle. He saw Dearie lying on the stage. But he also saw a slow spiraling, glittering glow all about her. Hundreds of thousands of tiny, dazzling Lights, hovering about Dearie.
- P. 247 – Gypsy calms: Jesse was motionless. His eyes were filled with a beautiful Light. Glowing. Sparkling. Shining. He stared. And stared. At his Dearie. A beautiful expression filling his little face. / Gypsy pawed at his arm. Licked his hand.
- P. 252 – Gypsy calms Jesse: Billy seemed to read his thoughts and he put his arm around Jesse, pulling him close. They stood. Together. Silently looking out at the city that went on about its business, as if the world had not turned into a tangle of upside downs. Gypsy appeared, winding between Jesse’s legs. He picked her up and put his nose in her fur. She purred loudly and Jesse put his cheek to her body, feeling her heartbeat. He breathed. A real breath. He liked the quiet. Just…being.
- P. 262 – Gypsy – is she ignoring Jesse? Or is she helping Jesse? : Dearie’s gone. Jesse thought. I have to go by myself. I have to go. Leave. His breath felt shallow. Leave. Go. Gypsy jumped up to the windowsill, and Jesse stood up with her. “I can go. Find Jessica,” he said to Gypsy. “I can do it.”
- P. 262 – Gypsy runs away with Jesse: They ran swiftly down the stairs and out the door, smack into Grams Maguire. / She startled, “Well! Hello, Jesse! And hello there, Gypsy girl.” / Gypsy didn’t meow and Jesse didn’t answer. They both ran to the sidewalk.
- P. 262 – Gypsy turns back: But Gypsy stopped at the avenue. She turned back, and bolted, like black lightning, back to Mr. Schuyler’s store.
- P. 263 – Gypsy gets the Misters’ attention: Gypsy leapt to Mr. Schuyler’s coattails—but tumbled off. Instantly she clawed her way up Mr. Romano’s pants leg, and he danced like he was in a frying pan. “Help!” he cried. “Gypsy, I have no olives!” He kicked her off. Blister-quick, Gypsy jumped on Mr. Bonhuer’s leg, scratching up to his jacket. “Mon Dieu! What is this?” He yelped and threw her off. Gypsy only turned again and leapt on Mr. Gorecki. He pulled her into his arms and purred to her in his deep voice, “What is it, Gypsy?” The men turned away, shaking their heads. It was time to move on, to open their shops.
- P. 263 – Gypsy gets the Misters’ attention ~ continued ~ But Wit Schuyler stopped in amazement. “Wait! Gypsy is telling us something! Look!” He pointed far down the avenue. There was a stream of holiday shoppers. And there was Jesse O’Neil. Bustling away. All by himself. They all saw Jesse. And someone else. Following Jesse. Tim Braedon.
- p. 273 – Gypsy welcomes Jesse home: Conor rushed to Jesse, picking him up, with Jesse’s arms and legs wrapping around him like the ribbons of a gift. Billy and Mac moved to each side of them: unmatched bookends, holding them up while the inimitable Gypsy-cat purred in and out of Conor’s legs.
- P. 273 – Gypsy celebrates: Conor let Jesse slip to the ground where he was enveloped first in Mac’s embrace, and then Billy’s. Mr. Gorecki moved the others up the stairs, but they all looked back at Jesse, uttering their well-wishes. Gypsy winked at them all.
- P. 275 – Gypsy’s place: Jesse was exhausted. He needed rest, and though it was early afternoon, he snuggled into his bed, holding Velvet to his cheek. He felt Gypsy curl up at his feet…
- P. 279 – Gypsy joins Jesse and Conor on the rooftop: A great laugh hooted out of them and they were off! Jesse pulled on his clothes, sliding his Dearie stone and his music box into his pocket. He ran out to Conor, helped grab some blankets, and rushed to the rooftop. Gypsy followed. / Up on the roof the tinteling air felt fresh and clear. Conor made a cocoon of heavy blankets, and he and Jesse lay, looking up at the night sky, with Gypsy tucked in, too.
- P. 279-280 – Gypsy does NOT like Dog-talk: “The stars are glittering,” Jesse marveled through his frosty breath. “Maybe that’s Dearie’s star, blink-er-ing at me.” Gypsy looked up to where he was pointing, and Conor said, “That’s the Dog Star. Sirius.”
- Gypsy peered at Conor, as if the mention of a dog was forbidden.
- P. 280 – Gypsy will not listen to such Dog-Talk: “I would like a dog,” Jesse blurted. A startled Gypsy stared unbelievingly at Jesse, especially as he added, “Maybe I could have two dogs, to play with each other.” Conor chuckled at that. “You have two dogs right up there: Major and Minor.” He pointed at the fainter star of the Little Dog, Canis Minor. Gypsy got up with her nose in the air and stalked to the door, silently withdrawing from such canine conversation.
