It gets lonely here sometimes. Right now, here is Anaheim, CA, and it would be understandable since I'm just visiting and hardly know anyone. But here seems to be wherever I go, and with it inevitably comes the loneliness.

I know two people in LA. Iris got engaged the week before I came, and Dave recently started dating a girl from work. Last week Rhea visited from DC to spend some time with her new boyfriend. I've mostly been sleeping when I get home from the hospital. But I've been asleep a lot longer.

When I wake up in the morning, it's still night. And the house is quiet as I get ready for work. When I open my bedroom door, the orange tabby looks up at me. We don't say a word to each other, but I make a silent offer: I will wake for you if you will wake for me.

I don't wait for an answer. She will be here tomorrow morning.