Cartel Cats: Know Your Rights
Chapter Eleven: Teaching Them to Speak You (Expanded)
^pt the ewa y
It was a quiet evening in Pawloma, the kind where old hurts echo a little louder. Barbara Sanders sat beside her youngest, Tilly, who looked up with searching eyes.
Tilly (softly):
"Mama, why does my dad hate me?"
Barbara's heart clenched. She could have let her pain spill out, but she remembered all the times she'd seen others do that—how it only left more scars, never less.
She took a deep breath and smoothed Tilly's fur.
Barbara:
"Sweetheart, you can't judge your dad by how he treats me. I divorced him, and my problems ended there. But he's still your father. He doesn't hate you—he just doesn't know how to speak you yet."
Tilly frowned, confused.
Tilly:
"What do you mean, 'speak me'?"
Barbara:
"Some folks never learned how to talk about their feelings. They act out, or they get loud, or they just shut down. It's not about you—it's about what they never learned. Your dad's like a toddler with his words. He only knows how to scream or pout when he wants something, because that's all he knows how to do."
Scene 1: Fear and Understanding
Mama Patch joined them, bringing warm milk and her usual wisdom.
Mama Patch:
"You know, kittens, people fear what they don't understand. Most folks don't want to think about situations that challenge what they already believe is good or bad. It's easier to stick with what you know, even if it's not right. That's how cycles keep going."
Barbara nodded.
Barbara:
"The only way to break that cycle is to be respectful in how you communicate. Show them, by your actions, that you understand they just weren't shown how to do it themselves. You can be the one to show them a new way."
Scene 2: Teaching by Example
Barbara:
"It's okay to learn from each other. Just because you're a child doesn't mean you can't teach your parents something about life. In fact, it's the opposite. Parents should be willing to learn from their kids. That's where I learned everything—from you and your brothers."
Tilly's eyes widened with pride.
Tilly:
"Really? You learned from me?"
Barbara (smiling):
"Every single day."
Scene 3: Love Despite the Hurt
Tilly hugged Barbara tight.
Tilly:
"I'll try, Mama. I'll try to teach him."
Barbara hugged her back, pride swelling in her chest.
Barbara:
"The fact that you still love, that you still try, means you're winning, kid. It means you didn't let the hurt turn you cold."
Scene 4: The Crew's Support
Later, the crew gathered around the porch. Sneezy Lila shared her own story.
Sneezy Lila:
"My dad never learned to say he was proud of me. But when I started telling him about my day, he started listening. Sometimes you have to show people how to love you."
Sleepy Sal added,
"We can't choose our parents, but we can choose how we grow. And we can choose not to pass on the pain."
Scene 5: The Moral
Mama Patch wrapped an arm around Tilly and Barbara.
Mama Patch:
"Remember, kittens—love isn't always easy, and some folks are just learning. If you can, teach them. If you can't, protect your heart. But never let someone else's silence make you feel unworthy. You deserve to be heard, and you deserve to be loved. And parents—don't be afraid to learn from your children. Sometimes they're the best teachers you'll ever have."
Rights Recap Song
🎶
Teach them to speak you,
Show them what you need,
Some folks never learned the words,
Or how to plant the seed.
Love is a language,
Sometimes hard to find,
But every act of kindness
Can help a heart unwind.
If they can't speak your language,
Don't let it bring you down,
You're worthy of love and laughter—
Wear your hope like a crown.
People fear what they don't know,
And cling to what they do,
But change begins with kindness—
And it starts right here with you.
🎶
Spoken Outro (Barbara)
It's not your fault if someone can't love you the way you need.
Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is teach them how.
And if they never learn, remember—
You're still enough, just as you are.
Parents, don't be afraid to learn from your kids.
Sometimes, the smallest voices have the wisest hearts.