It Begins

What begins? The countdown to Bebo's leaving. I'm sitting here right now in the semi-dark listening to her cough down the hall. Asthma is giving her a little bit of trouble right now. But I'm going to miss that coughing, just like I missed my father's snoring when he was gone. This is our last week here, together. It's been a bit of an adventure - a little trial and triumph. I know there were times when we got on each other's nerves, but we made it without any blowups or arguments with our friendship intact. So I thought I'd write tonight about what I won't miss when she's gone. So here goes:

1) Cat's fighting. There'll be peace in this house from the furry ones for the first time in six years. No, Bebo hasn't been here for six years, but until the loss of Siobhan and Cassidy there has always been dissention in the furry ranks. The four left when she leaves all get along pretty good, so that will be a little different.

2) Those damn boxes in front of her bedroom door. We have them there to keep her cats and mine from fighting under the door and making it rattle all night. Having to get by them down the hall, or stepping over them to enter the room has been irritating. I'll be glad to have that over with.

3) Sharing the bathroom, making sure that I've gone in the morning before she gets up - otherwise I have to just hold it until she's done with her shower. Next time, separate bathrooms.

4) Having only one TV to record my shows on. The networks are always scheduling stuff opposite each other that I want to see, and I would have to beg her to tape one of them for me. Like Tuesday, when I have to ask her to tape a special for me that's opposite NCIS and AI.

5) Having to be quiet - Monday nights Mom and I watch Leno, so I'd have to remember to keep the volume down because the den is next to her bedroom. I also won't miss having to keep Mom quiet on the occasional Sunday morning when Bebo might sleep a little late.

6) Bebo the Fire Breathing Dragon Bitch From Hell. She knows what I mean.

That's it. My that was a short list.

Nothing more tonight - oh, wait. Did I tell you I hurt my back today? It wasn't from lifting boxes either. I was carrying a box of books down the hall and into the living room. I couldn't see my feet (that's important - and no, it wasn't a cat). As I rounded the corner in the hall I tripped over one of those boxes mentioned in #2. I didn't fall, but banged up against the wall and slammed my right foot down to catch my balance thereby wrenching my back. It's pretty painful right now, although the Advil helped. I can't sit at the computer very long. I don't know how it will feel in the morning, but if you don't hear from me for a while, then you'll know why.