(June 25, 2011)

When I woke, it was morning. The sun was out and there was nothing left of the storm clouds except a faint haze to the east.
Scar was still slumbering peacefully, her ears twitching. Her soft breathing was so peaceful that I wanted nothing 更多 than to go back to sleep and cuddle up against that soft fur, but I had to stay up. I hadn't put anything in the car and I needed to get it all packed for the trip.
I dressed quickly and left the room silently.
On my way through the house to the 厨房 to get some coffee started, I heard an unusual noise that at first, I couldn't identify. It seemed to be coming from Kate's room.
I silently cracked her door open. Based on the way her room was arranged, she couldn't see the door from the bed.
I stopped when I realized that the sound was her crying softly. Feeling embarrassed, yet relieved that she hadn't seen me, I retreated. The door swung shut silently.

I made the coffee like nothing was wrong, scooping the grounds into the machine, filling it with water, and turning it on. As the machine brewed the extra-bold coffee, I went into the master bedroom and grabbed a pair of the bags I had packed for us and moved them into the back of the Nissan.
After 45 minutes, I had all the bags packed and the coffee was waiting in the pot for me.
I poured myself some in a mug that read "Instant Human: Just Add Coffee" and whitened it the way I liked.
Kate came out of her room. She was using her paw to rub her eyes.
"Good morning, Kate," I said, feigning oblivion.
"Morning, Colby," she 说 back. She seemed a little better than the night before.
"How'd 你 sleep?" I asked.
She shrugged.
"Not good, huh?"
She nodded.
Sensing that she needed a hug, I walked around the island and gave her one.
She melted into my hug and I could feel her quivering breath on my shoulder.
Scar came out of our room, ready and raring to go. Her 毛皮 was a little disheveled, but she still looked adorable.
"Hey, Scar, can 你 do me a favor?" I asked.
She nodded. I threw her the car keys. "Can 你 go start the car for me?"
She left.
"Kate?" I asked.
She looked up at me, her big brown eyes filled with tears. "Yeah?"
"You ready to go?"
She nodded. I carried her to the car, put her in, and went back for my coffee.