I enjoyed the story, DC, though felt really bad for the cat. He must have been frantic to get back to familiar surroundings. My cats are iffy, in that sometimes they like to cuddle but most times, they like to do their own thing. They are nosy, so are underfoot whenever I want to get something done.
Every night, they will lay around in the living room, but as soon as I turn off the lights and go to bed, they are right there. Both cuddle then, and Lizzie likes to nuzzle and purr, while kneading my neck. She puts her face up to it, and I can't stand it. I have to allow her to do it, or she will pester me all night to get her nuzzling time. I learn something new about them every day.