I am being abused by my cat..

People have recently noticed that I have scratches on my arms from handling my cat...

When I try to remove him from in front of my Mom's fireplace, to go home, he gets really pissy and gives me a good swat......


I find my self lying to people and telling them I was picking fruit or doing someother 'dangerous' job in order to keep them from thinking my little boy is a heat hogging pig, with no respect for his father's wishes......"come on Eddie, we are going home.....Eddie......EDDIE........"

I have already tried gloves...He just attacks my shirt and pulls thread out or scratches my chest!

What can I do?