Three Weeks Out

It's been three weeks tomorrow since Jim was last in the house, and the girls have settled into a comfortable routine with alacrity.

Phoebe is glad to have the upstairs all to herself without an orange dynamo creeping around, sniffing, playing with her catnip mouse. She hasn't hissed very much, really i don't think at all since Jim left. She did take an orange sparkle ball that he unearthed from somewhere and wanted to play with it, having me throw it to her whilst she was near the top of the staircase and i at the bottom. We haven't played that game for years.

JoJo has taken several very long naps where she's comfortably stretched out, secure in the knowledge that no orange blur will jump on her. She has only hissed once in these last three weeks, and that's when she fell asleep on my lap, and i pet her, disrupting her. She also gave me a quick look and did a double-take. It was only then i realized i touched her where Jim would often touch her when he crept up from behind whilst she was sleeping. So, she may have hissed more from habit than anything. She's very glad to have the back yard all to herself again, jumps up on the well, and has run around a bit wanting me to chase her and play.

It's the playfulness of both that surprises me, and they're getting along better than they ever have.

I suppose the only girl in the house with a broken heart is me. It is mending, as i figured it would, but the sadness comes at odd moments, such as when i hung wash on the line, and there was no orange shadow biting the clothes pins or jumping into the washbasket wanting a ride.

Last night, as i was working late, Jo quietly jumped up in the chair beside my work chair. Grace always sat there when i was working late, and after she left, Jo would jump up and keep my company. Jim took over when he was here, and i suppose Jo's taking back the task last night is just another sign that we continue where we left off when given a chance.

The house is much quieter, and i suppose it was this quiet before Jim came. Funny how one little furfriend can create so much difference, both by his presence and his absence.