The cat jumps up into my lapand settles in. Good morning,all is cozy here in the kitchenunder pattering rain. She purrslike a mourning dove, gripsmy thigh with gentle claws,cocks her head back to gazeat me through half-closed eyes.It’s as if we two were alleither of us needed now, always.I rise for more coffee, my catat my bosom, rock her like a baby.