Thursday

The cats weren't bad last night. It was the first night that the cats have spent in the house since Coco's death a little over a month ago. It was unusual, too, in that the cats were denied the big room with Victor sleeping there. I was afraid that might set them howling all night. Ash was insistent that I get up early, at around seven, but I didn't mind that, since early mornings have become my routine while Vic is here, enabling me to get my breakfast out of the way before Pop and Vic get up. That rain didn't fall, though, but the forecast now calls for an 80% chance of rain today and tonight, and it kind of looks it. ... ... Only 2:10 and they are already back from their rounds. I was counting on them to continue the pattern of staying out until after five. My little room is especially hot on these afternoons. ... I guess Pop just wanted to save ten, twenty bucks by eating at home. When I woke up from my nap, they were gone. And I had to put on the air-conditioner. I was tired of struggling with the heat. ... ... Fucking weather! The forecast cleared away the call for rain tonight, and so I let the cats go. Now guess what? the old forecast is back, and it's actually starting to drizzle already. Better yet, Victor and Pop are in the kitchen for a big leisurely dinner. I'm not anxious to get them in right now, but we're kind of close to that. ... Not more than fifteen minutes later, it starts coming down harder, not stormy really, but more than a drizzle. However, I got the cats in without any trouble. I don't think they noticed Victor until they were inside already. ... One can feel the Coco difference in this. More often then not, she would get caught further out in the bad weather. I suppose, not being as close to Ash and Sammy as they are to each other, she would go further out into the neighborhood looking for more of a life of her own, and so it was usually more of an ordeal to get her back in the house. Twice, she didn't make it back until the back yard was flooded out and turned into a lake, so that I had to wade through the water to grab her at the fence. I miss my baby. ... ... In the kitchen, Pop is doing an especially bad job staying up at the table, and Victor is witnessing this. I suppose Pop hasn't been getting a good night's sleep and he's waking up much earlier than he was wont to do. Still, it's a little scary seeing Pop dozing off in his chair like that. You have to wonder: how much time do we have left? ... ... Pop and Vic will be going on another trip, after all: back to Shiner. It's only an overnighter, though. But I will take it! They want to see the old high school football team, as though they must have been really close to that circle in their high school days. I bet there wasn't one latino on the team, not back then, and perhaps not today. Whatever! What matters to me is that I get a little breathing space during Vic's last week here. I am forecasting a 99% chance of serious wankery tomorrow.