My alarm went off at 4:30 in the morning. Instinctively, I turned it off and rolled over in my bed. I closed my eyes for what seemed like a minute, but when I opened them again a half hour had gone by.
Upon realizing I should get up and start the day, I staggered out of bed with a blanket tangled around my leg. I hopped on one foot across the floor trying to get the blanket off. Finally when I unwrapped it, I tossed it back onto my bed. Should I bother making it? Nah.
I stood in front of my dresser and got changed into the outfit I picked out for myself the night before. I brushed my hair, unplugged my phone from the charger, and exited my bedroom. I went downstairs into the kitchen.
Everyone else was still asleep, as they usually were—even the cat was passed out on the couch. I snickered knowing that wasn’t going to last long.
I turned on the coffee maker and turned around. The cat was suddenly sitting on the floor behind me. I smiled happy to get back into my routine this morning, even though I was about a half hour later than usual.
The cat meowed as he walked closer to me. I picked him up and placed him on my hip stroking the back of his head. We swayed from side to side as I waited for the coffee maker to heat up.
I pushed the button to brew causing the cat to jump at the sudden spitting sound. It scared him every morning. Yet, he stayed in my arms and watched me as I one-handedly poured cream into my coffee, put it back in the refrigerator, and brought him and the coffee mug back upstairs.
I entered my den putting the coffee down on my desk. Then I placed the cat down on the couch on the other side of the room where he curled right back up and fell asleep.
I sat down at my desk turning on my computer. As I waited for it to boot up, I took a sip of my coffee watching the cat breath steadily as he drifted into a quick deep sleep.
Every morning was the same. He would wait for me to come make my coffee and then get a free ride upstairs only to sleep on a different couch. We were in a rut, but it was calm and relaxing for both of us.
I looked away from the cat when my computer screen came on. Then I began to work.
