My boy hisses at me with surprisingly threatening teeth for somebody that small. I have tried to be an affectionate and supportive father to him, and also a friend and caretaker, but it seems to make no difference. It is a question of temperament, I suppose, his and mine, and beyond either of us to change. I know very well that I am not the only man to have had this kind of difficult situation with his kid.

There are a few factors that complicate our relationship as well, and I’m aware of these. He’s not my natural son, I had nothing to do with his coming into the world and that lack of biological connection can be a factor. I basically found him, helpless and hungry, and we adopted him. Sekhnet is very attached to him, and the two of them cuddle, snuggle, and are thicker than thieves, but he has always regarded me with some distrust. There’s another thing, and I know this adds a poignant note, and may strike some as hyperbole but I mean it literally– we are of different species. This does not affect his relationship with Sekhnet, but it seems to come into play in his and mine.

When I reach out to him he hits me. Softly at first, then with his claws unleashed. Sharp damn fingernails the wild little bastard’s got. Then there’s the hiss, resembling a cobra’s hiss more than anything else, the mouth wide open and those sharp canine teeth ready, like fangs. He will not hesitate to sink those fangs into a hand, if it comes to it. Rough little bastard, and outside of making his feelings perfectly clear by his expression and actions, he never says a word.