Here's Chapter Thirteen of Cartel Cats: Know Your Rights, focusing on breaking taboos, raising the bar, and teaching kids about love and respect—even when the world wants to avoid those conversations.
Cartel Cats: Know Your Rights
Chapter Thirteen: Breaking the Silence, Raising the Bar
In Pawloma, love was a word everyone used, but few really talked about. The alleys were full of secrets—stories of first crushes, heartbreak, and lessons learned the hard way. Barbara Sanders knew the silence could be as dangerous as any storm.
One evening, she found her son, Milo, sitting on the stoop, lost in thought.
Barbara:
"What's on your mind, Milo?"
Milo hesitated, then blurted out,
"My girlfriend… we're getting serious. I know what you always say about waiting, but—"
Barbara sat beside him, her voice gentle.
Barbara:
"Milo, I'm not going to tell you to wait until you're married. I know that's not how life works for most people. What I want you to know is this:
Love, and sex, are gifts. Once you give them, you can't take them back. And you can't give them away for the first time again. That goes for her, too."
Milo listened, wide-eyed.
Barbara:
"If you care about her, raise the bar for her. Treat her with respect. You might be her Northern Star—the one she compares everyone else to, even if you don't stay together. That's a big responsibility, but it's also a chance to do something good."
Scene 1: Breaking the Taboo
Mama Patch joined them, carrying a tray of cocoa.
Mama Patch:
"We make love and sex so taboo, kittens get scared to talk about it. That's when mistakes happen. If you can talk about it, you can make better choices. You can learn from each other. That's how you keep love from turning into pain."
Barbara nodded.
Barbara:
"Don't expect every relationship to last forever. Most won't. That doesn't mean you failed. Every relationship is a lesson—a chance to raise your bar, and to leave someone better than you found them. If you do that, it was never for nothing."
Scene 2: Experience, Not Shame
Sneezy Lila shared her story.
Sneezy Lila:
"My parents never talked to me about love. I had to figure it out on my own, and I made a lot of mistakes. I wish someone had told me it's okay to learn, to mess up, and to try again."
Barbara smiled at Milo.
Barbara:
"You saw a lot of pain growing up, but you chose to show your girlfriend kindness—a rose petal bubble bath, not just what you saw from others. That means you're breaking the cycle. That means we win."
Scene 3: The Real Lesson
Barbara:
"Love isn't about rules or shame. It's about respect, honesty, and learning as you go. If you can leave someone better than you found them, you've done something right. And if you ever have questions, you can always talk to me. No secrets, no shame."
Milo hugged her, relief and gratitude in his eyes.
Scene 4: The Moral
Mama Patch looked at the crew.
Mama Patch:
"Don't let fear or silence be your guide. Talk about love, talk about respect, talk about what matters. That's how you raise the bar for yourself and for everyone you care about."
Rights Recap Song
🎶
Love isn't shame, love isn't fear,
It's learning and growing, year after year.
Talk about feelings, talk about pain,
Break the silence, break the chain.
Raise the bar, be the star,
Leave them better than they are.
Every lesson, every scar,
Is how you find out who you are.
🎶
Spoken Outro (Barbara)
Kittens, don't be afraid to talk about the things that matter.
Love, sex, respect—they're part of life, not something to hide.
If you can talk about it, you can make better choices.
And if you ever feel lost, remember:
You're allowed to learn, to change, and to raise the bar for yourself and others.