text: I sat my mug gently on the desk, watching the steam rise from my freshly made cup of tea. Marcus was so sweet to have made me a whole pot of my favorite tea before work. As I settled into my chair and began proofreading the latest novel to come across my desk, Willow hopped into my lap. Scratching her behind the ears I quickly became absorbed in my work. As I absentmindedly went to take a sip of my tea, the cat suddenly jumped up and knocked the mug out of my hand. “Willow!” I exclaimed as I nudged her to the floor. I sighed deeply, picked up the mug and went to the kitchen to fetch some more tea. As I approached the counter where the teapot had been resting, I could see it had spilled all over the counter and kitchen floor. “I guess I wasn’t meant to have tea today” I lament to the likely culprit of tea destruction. I opt instead to make myself a pot of coffee. As I wait for it to brew, I begin to clean up the spilled tea, all the while Willow winds around my feet. I carefully try to pick my way around the kitchen without stepping on her paws or her tail. A sudden ringing in my left ear tells me it’s time to take my migraine medicine. I set the pills on the counter as I fill up a glass from the tap. Willow hops on the counter to inspect the contents of the bottle. “Aww are you my little pharmacist?” I cooed at her. When I turned my head back to the sink I heard the unmistakable skittering of pills as they were knocked down the garbage disposal. “CAT!! You’re starting to get on my nerves today!” I scolded her. As I inspected the drain for any salvageable pills I heaved a sigh of exasperation. I had accepted my fate of spending today in bed with the inevitable migraine that was on its way. I downed the water and some Excedrin, set my computer status to busy and trudged up the stairs to my room. Sleep came quickly but fitfully. I tossed and turned with dreams I couldn’t quite remember but that left me breathless when I woke confused and in total darkness. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t alone. Willow yowled and hissed at something in the dark, making the hair on the back of my neck rise. When I flipped on the bedside lamp, we were alone in the room. Willow was staring at the pillow on the end of my bed like it offended all of her ancestors. She pawed it lightly then knocked it onto the floor. “You’re so weird” I muttered to myself as I swung my legs to the side of the bed preparing to get up. Just then the door banged open and my dear sweet husband walked in with a tray laden with soup, grilled cheese, and a fresh steaming cup of tea. “I suspected you were feeling under the weather, so I thought you could use a pick me up!” Marcus said as he laid the tray on my lap. I kissed his cheek as a thank you and happily began to spoon some soup. Just as it reached my lips Willow pawed the spoon, making it spill down the front of my shirt. “Bad kitty! What has gotten into you today?” I exclaimed as I tried to dab away the hot soup. Marcus lifted her off the bed, which earned him a swat and hiss from Willow, and placed her outside the bedroom shutting the door on her. The look on my face must have betrayed my sadness, as he said “Just while you eat darling. Then I’ll let her back in.” Marcus watched as I ate every last bite, kissed my forehead then took the tray away. I settled back into bed as Willow hopped onto my chest. She started nudging my hand so I scratched her in the spot behind her ears she likes so much. “Ouch” I yelped as she suddenly bit my hand. “What is wrong with you?!” She looked at me intently then nudged my hand again, mewling with displeasure. Something was seriously wrong with her but I couldn’t figure out what. But I didn’t have time to ponder anymore as I doubled over in pain. There was a sharp pain in my stomach that wouldn’t subside. I rolled out of bed as I tried to crawl to the bathroom. I couldn’t make it. I collapsed on the floor, rolling in pain. I began to heave, trying to vomit whatever had offended my stomach. But I couldn’t make my stomach give back what it had taken. I lay there as the pain grew worse and my body grew weaker. I could feel Willow’s distress as she nudged me and mewled loudly. When Marcus came in he approached me slowly. Was it my foggy brain, or was he really approaching me with a lazy calmness that did not match my current situation. As I faded out of consciousness, I heard him say “Finally, it’s done.” And then it was black.