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An elderly Black woman in glasses sits on a pickup truck tailgate, petting a black cat sitting beside her near a farm field. 18 / 36

The Truck Wasn't Going Anywhere. Grandma Odessa Found Out Why.

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The old pickup is parked at the edge of the yard where the grass gives way to wide open farmland. Grandma Odessa sits on the lowered tailgate in a sage fleece jacket and jeans, glasses on, reaching over to scratch Licorice under the chin. The black cat sits upright on the truck bed, leaning into her hand, his eyes half closed with pleasure. Behind them stretch a white farmhouse with a covered porch, a coiled hose, a few potted plants, and rows of crops fading into a soft, hazy sky.

Truck beds and cats can be a tricky mix, so it's worth a quick word of caution. A parked tailgate on a calm afternoon can be a lovely perch, but cats should never ride loose in a truck bed, where sudden stops or a startling noise could lead to a fall or a bolt. For any trip, a secured carrier inside the cab is the safest option. It's also a good habit to check around and under vehicles before starting the engine, since cats are known to seek warm, sheltered spots. In colder weather, a gentle tap on the hood before getting in can give a hiding cat a chance to move.

Today, though, nobody is going anywhere. Odessa has a cat to pet, Licorice has a warm hand to lean into, and the field isn't changing anytime soon. Sometimes the best seat in the house is the back of a parked truck.

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