Response to "Meow" by Cary Bayless

   This story was about a boy, Cyril, who is autistic. His life seems to be filled with rejection and disconnections from people. In the first scene, where our protagonist has creepily snuck into a neighbor's bedroom to read her diary again, it is evident that he lacks consciousness of social conventions and easily gains obsessions, hence his autism. Personally, when I first read the opening scene, I pictured Steve Urkel. Maybe a more serious and deeper character, but Steve Urkel nonetheless. Throughout the story, the narrator finds something he can connect and relate to: kittens. Cyril had always considered his cat, Jimmy-Cat, to be a close friend and when Cyril found out Jimmy-Cat was really a she, and a pregnant she at that, he witnessed the birthing of not only new kittens, but the birthing of acceptance and a connection between a boy and animals that Cyril will never forget.Thus, we find the slight change in Cyril's character from being rejected and feeling disconnected from people, to discovering quite the opposite through Jimmy-Cat's kittens. Cyril's character immediately jumped out to me. I find those with autism or any other type of similar disorder extremely intriguing. I loved that Cyril's disconnection with people contrasted so well with his acceptance and connection with animals in the story. Cary did a great job putting us in the mind of this innocent boy and although it never tells us exactly what is "wrong" or different about Cyril, it is easy to conclude that his mental disability proves an interesting point of view to read from. I absolutely loved the constant incorporation of numbers throughout the story as well which enhanced Cyril nicely. I only thought of a few minor details that you could consider working in: adding how Cyril gets into his neighbor's bedroom at the beginning scene and possibly providing some background information about Cyril's relationship and interactions with people. I thought you did a great job allowing us as readers to really get inside Cyril's head and I found him very believable. Great job, I really enjoyed your story as a whole!