The MAN was making sounds again, looking at her and gesturing with short, nervous movements. Was he, Cassie wondered, communicating with her? The sounds, though familiar due to their frequency, were also still quite foreign to her discriminating ears. After years trying to teach the MAN how to communicate properly, his noise was only decipherable by its tone.

Blahblahblah, Cassie, blahblah.

Today’s tone sounded angry? No, not loud enough. Frustrated? Perhaps.

Cassie sat motionless and stared intently, mesmerized by the MAN , his gestures and the sounds he made. Soon, however, her thoughts began to drift. She stifled a yawn as her eyes glazed over. Great frolicking felines! Was he still going on? She had to end this.

Inhaling, Cassie stood, arched her back and walked towards the MAN . Very deliberately, she climbed into his lap. He began to stroke her long, black hair as she rubbed her head against his chest. Yesssss, she purred to herself contentedly, this was more like it.