Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 57

I was sitting by the back window, watching the birds flutter from tree to tree, feeling good about my day, about my life. Then just as the sun peaked up into view, I saw him saunter into the yard.

I still thought about Nemo all the time, but he was becoming more and more just a memory, almost like our love had been a dream. To see him there, sitting in the yard, was surreal. 

I didn't even realize I'd been meowing and pawing at the window when the humans walked in.

"Want to go say hi to Nemo?" The loud one asked. "Come on."

Before I could think, my freedom-killing string was attached to me, and I was in the yard, face-to-face with the cat I'd tried so hard to forget.

"Nice leash," he said trying to smile, but I could see that it was pained.

"I can wiggle out of it," I responded causally, stopping to lick myself. "Any time I want."

"That's great." He paused for a moment. "It's good to see you."

"Of course it is. I'm great."

Nemo tried to laugh, but again it was pained and awkward. 

"I'm gonna go chase that fly,"  I said after a long silence. 

"OK. But that's a bee." He couldn't help himself. He always had to correct me.

"Yeah, well, I've never been afraid of being stung. I'd rather live my life."

I had to pretend to chase the bee for a couple seconds to save face, but Nemo knew that I thought it was a fly, and I really didn't want to get stung.

He turned and walked through a little hole in the fence. I noted the hole, in case I ever decided to wiggle out of my leash.