Consequences

After all the years, I still sit and stare at her every morning while she's sleeping and I'm supposed to be getting ready for work. The way she moves entrances me. An occasional feline stretch breaks the silence and she sighs, settling again into her dreams. Her little noises of sleep comfort me. I sit, stare and wait.

I've always known it wouldn't last forever. She wasn't made for me or my life, wasn't made to dwell in this land that baffles her, but she stayed here with me. It's more out of duty than love, I imagine, remembering the days when I didn't drink without her and she didn't step out on me.

But it's over now, I remind myself. No one leaves me and makes it away alive.