When the cat's away...

I think Troy was a little worried when I suggested this topic! :) He’s in Gothenburg (he left yesterday) until late Monday. I don’t know what trouble he thinks I’ll get into. Mainly I can go to bed as early as I want and not scratch anybody’s back. Oh wait. Last night after I put the kids to bed, Nic called me into his room, and said “Mom, can you scratch my back?” I kid you not. He had even taken his shirt off in readiness for the scratching. ARGHGHGHGHGHGHGH. He is his father’s son. Oh, the irony.

I don’t mind having some time to myself every once in awhile as long as it’s not for too long, although being a single Mom even temporarily is no luxury. Thankfully Meg is old enough to help with the dog-walking.

I think Troy was mainly nervous because of the ideas HE gets into his head. Early in our marriage, when we were living in Chicago, I went to Bolivia for my Dad’s 50^th birthday. Troy dropped me at the airport, went straight to Jewel and bought Captain Crunch. When he got home, I called him from the airport to say I apparently needed a visa to go to Bolivia so he needed to come back and get me. He HID THE CEREAL IN THE CLOSET but then broke down and confessed when we got home, lest I find it and bust him.

At least I don’t HIDE my sushi consumption!

On Tuesday, Heather told me the topic for Friday would be "When the cat's away, the mice will play." It wasn't the name of the topic that concerned me as much as the Cheshire Cat smile on her face that accompanied her pronouncement. I'm still wondering what she'll be up to while I'm gone these next few days.

Last night I caught a glimpse, however. Vanessa and Memo were over.

Vanessa is starting a massage business. And she told Heather that she would come over to our house on Thursday to give her a massage, free of charge. And there it was again: that smile that's "naughty" and "nice" at the same time.

I am writing this in the airport, longhand, in my little notebook. And right now I am thinking of that smile, those eyes.

She is full of life and the sense memory of her face will be my home away from home this weekend. I will picture her smiling, laughing, playing, And my love for her will grow stronger despite the intervening miles. And when I return I will hold her face in my hands and I will play once again.