The short walk to her bedroom felt like miles. She managed to pull her nightgown from under her pillow, fumbling with the buttons of her blouse. The pendant slipped beneath the cotton of her nightgown, still radiating that peculiar warmth against her skin where it lay between her breasts.
Her bed had never looked more inviting. She barely registered Mozart and Bach following her into the room as she collapsed onto the mattress, not even bothering to pull up the covers. Sleep claimed her before her head fully settled onto the pillow.
Chapter
Two
Mandy blinked awake,disoriented by the bright sunlight streaming through her bedroom window. Mozart lay curled against her hip, while Bach had claimed his usual spot on the pillow next to her head. Her mouth felt like cotton, an after-effect of the pain medication from yesterday.
She fumbled for her phone on the nightstand, squinting at the display. 3:47 PM.
"Oh, for heaven's sake." She dropped her head back onto the pillow. "I slept for almost twenty-four hours?"
Bach chirped his agreement, stretching languidly before hopping down from the bed. Mozart remained firmly planted against her hip, clearly expecting his usual morning pets before allowing her to move.
Her back twinged as she shifted position, but the knife-edge agony from yesterday had subsided to its usual dull roar. Still uncomfortable, still present, but manageable.
"Okay, buddy. Mama needs a shower." She gently displaced the cat, who gave her an offended look before joining his brother by the bedroom door.
The pendant swung loose from her nightgown, the gem catching the morning light as she sat up, the blue stone seemingto glow from within. Mandy touched it gently, remembering the strange but oddly charming woman who had given it to her. Yearning for a shower to wash away the grunge of yesterday, she removed it, setting it on her dresser.
Steam filled the bathroom as she turned the shower on full blast, letting the water heat while she stripped off her nightgown. The hot water sluiced over her shoulders as she stepped under the spray, and she groaned in appreciation as some of the lingering tension melted away. Sitting on the built-in shower seat, she stayed under the spray longer than usual, letting the heat work its magic on her tired muscles.
By the time she stepped out, wrapped in her favorite fluffy towel, she felt almost human again. Her cats waited impatiently outside the bathroom door, their demands for breakfast growing more insistent.
"Yes, yes, I hear you." She slipped the necklace with the pendant over her head, then made her way back to the bedroom, pulling on comfortable loose pants, a soft t-shirt advertising I'M ONLY TALKING TO MY CATS TODAY - complete with two cartoon kitty faces - and fuzzy chenille socks.
Bach led the parade to the kitchen, his tail held high like a banner, while Mozart brought up the rear, occasionally bumping against her legs to hurry her along.
Mandy opened the cabinet where she kept the cat food, pulling out two cans of their favorite salmon pate. Bach wound figure-eights around her feet, as usual, and Mozart made cute little hops, acting as if they hadn't eaten in days.
"You do realize, you have a full feeder of kibble right over there." She shook her head at their dramatics as she divided the wet food between their bowls.
The cats dove into their very belated breakfast with enthusiasm, tails held high in contentment. Mandy's ownstomach growled loudly, reminding her that she hadn't eaten since yesterday morning.
Standing at the counter was too painful to cook anything proper. She pulled a package of instant oatmeal from the cabinet - not ideal, but quick and filling. While the microwave hummed, she poured a glass of orange juice, then leaned on the stool she kept in the kitchen, taking weight off her aching spine.
The cats finished their breakfast and wandered off to their morning grooming routine while she stirred brown sugar into her oatmeal. Taking small, careful steps, she made her way to her recliner. The familiar whir of the motor adjusting the chair's position brought a sigh of relief as she settled in with her breakfast.
The oatmeal wasn't gourmet dining, but it filled the hollow feeling in her stomach. Mozart hopped up onto the arm of the chair, eyeing her breakfast hopefully.
"Not for kitties." She took another bite. "This is people food."
His disappointed chirp made her chuckle. She finished the last few bites quickly, setting the empty bowl on the side table.
Mozart settled into her lap, his warm weight familiar and comforting. Mandy stroked his long orange fur, smiling as he started his thunderous purr.
"You know, most people would think I'm certifiable, having full conversations with my cats." She scratched under his chin, earning an even louder purr. "The classic crazy cat lady, living alone with her fur babies."
Bach appeared on the arm of the recliner, his regal presence demanding equal attention. She obliged, reaching up to stroke his sleek head.
"But who else am I going to talk to?" The words came out softer than she intended. "It's not like I get many visitors. And phone calls with my daughter once or twice a week don't really count as socializing."
Mozart head-butted her hand when she paused in her petting, making her laugh.
"At least you two are good listeners. You never interrupt, never judge." She smiled as Bach settled into his favorite sphinx-like position, his tail curling around his side. "Well, okay, you do interrupt sometimes. Usually when food is involved."
The quiet of her apartment wrapped around her like a familiar blanket. Just the sound of purring cats and the gentle whir of the air conditioning. Sometimes the silence felt oppressive, but right now, with her boys keeping her company, it felt peaceful instead of lonely.
