After it ended she kept writing.
Never contact me again.
Leave me alone.
And I would.
Of course I would.
And then she would write.
Warmth, as if nothing had been said.
And then: my life is worse when you're in it.Never contact me again.
And I would.
And then she would write.
I know she is not a cruel cat.
She's not circling with intention —
just carrying more than she can hold
and not always knowing
where she's setting it down.
I want her well.
That part is real.
And also —
I flinched when her name appeared.
Those few seconds before I'd read it
where I didn't know which version was coming.
The mouse learns the pattern
even when the cat means no harm.
And I was still down there
hoping she'd land softly
while I figured out
how to get up.