If I had Norah Jones music, I think I'd listen to it right now. A few months ago, I listened to the copies of songs I had borrowed from Yanthor, but never really got into the music, so eventually, I deleted them. Good stuff, but not really my style. Not normally. Now might be an exception.

But what I have been getting into, I think I left at my dad's place. (I'm at mom's right now.) My memory is good enough.

Patches vanished from my life as quickly and randomly as he had appeared. I might be convinced to believe the whole thing a dream, were it not for the evidence of cat hair that still covers my shirt.

After cleaning the feces in the bathtub (thank heavens he did it there, instead of on the carpet, couch, or my computer), I put on my shoes, picked the little loveball up off the kitchen counter (where he knew he wasn't supposed to be), and carried him out into the hall. While I was locking the door, he leaped onto the floor and started clawing at the carpet.

He followed me down to the second floor, and then stood there, exactly where I had first seen him. "Do you live in here, or somewhere else out there?"

As I went down and opened the outer door, he scampered after me and stepped outside. I left the door ajar, and walked a few meters away to see what he would do. From my car, I could see that he was trying to get back in, but couldn't squeeze through. I went back and opened the door, wondering if he really did live with somebody else in the same building. But once inside again, he didn't go to any of the doors. Instead, he wanted back out again.

I opened the door again, and said, "This time, whatever you decide is final." He chose outside. I let the door close and latch. He looked up as he heard it snap shut, but then started sniffing the wind again.

"Goodbye, little kitty."

He did not try to follow me as I walked to my car. I think he understood that ours was a short term relationship.

I watched for a few moments before pulling out, as he jumped off the other side of the porch. I drove around the corner to see if I could see him walking around the building, but he had vanished.

As I drove home, I shed a few tears. Now there are more coming to my eyes. I am humbled.

The universe is the story of the life of a little cat. I am a minor fleeting character, occupying at most half a chapter. I have played my part, and now I am gone. This is the only way it could ever be.