Alone Again...
I was so proud of me as to how I had managed to find my own way back to my rooms. I've never really had to put myself to that kind of test before--tracking indoors.
Before I decided to go in, I remembered Dad's trump and decided to give him a call as I still had not heard from him since he had to leave so abruptly earlier this afternoon. I pulled out the card and had to take a few steadying breaths before concentrating on it. This time, it didn't seem to take much at all before I got contact, but this time, I couldn't see him. I could hear him just fine, but there seemed to be a kind of interference in the background.
~Yes? Tabby? Is that you?~ he answered.
~Yes, it's me. Missed you at dinner. Are you not back yet?~ I asked.
~No, not yet,~ he replied. I was getting a very distinct impression that he was grinning at me. ~I have some more business to handle before I return. Is everything alright?~ Concern seemed to take over his tone.
~Yes, everything's fine,~ I replied reassuringly, returning the smile and wondering if he could tell. ~Just missed you was all. I was heading to bed and wanted to check in. I guess I'll fill you in in the morning? Otherwise, I'll see you when I see you. Have a good night!~ I figured I didn't have to tell him right then about my earlier spending spree. Out of my guilt I was considering giving him back that little note so I wouldn't be tempted to spend like that again. But my uneasiness was instantly dissipated when I heard a soft chuckle coming from his end.
~Alright. Just try and stay out of trouble until I get back,~ he said and paused for a moment, coming back in a serious tone. ~Tabby, I have to go now. I'll see you soon.~ And with that, the contact was gone.
I guess there's a little getting used to his sudden and abrupt exits. I replaced the card carefully in my pocket and opened the door, heading straight to the bedroom, figuring that some sleep would probably be in order, but I really wasn't all that sleepy. I was definitely relaxed from the wine, but not sleepy. If anything, I was feeling excited for having met the girls and Martin earlier.
I opened the door to my rooms and had a secret wave of relief wash over me as my ever-attentive Maria met me at the door.
“Good evening, My Lady,” she greeted.
“Yes, it is!” I returned with a smile. “What I day I’ve had!” I made my way around the sitting room and saw that the few things I had purchased in town earlier today had already arrived. I kicked off my boots and stood on the rag-rug with my stocking-feet, reveling in the sensation of the little nubs of the uneven knots underneath my feet. I made a mental note to order a few more of those for the entryway and my bedroom and possibly the bathroom. I carefully sat down in the custom-made rocker next, instantly feeling comfortable and smiling over how the specifications I gave turned out just so. I noticed I could easily let my tail dangle out the back slats if I so chose with no trouble at all. I also took note of the little knick knacks I had also purchased that were already on the wall. I smiled at the little handmade sign that was a mere slat of wood with a carved kitty hanging from it that said “Get a Grip” with little paw prints around it. It made the place feel a little more like home. I also couldn’t help cracking a smile at the other little sign that had a hound dog carved out of wood hanging from it stating “If you want the best seat in the house…move the Dog”.
Maria had momentarily disappeared and returned with a tray of steaming hot mint tea and placed it on the little table nearby.
“Maria, did the other packages arrive as well?” I asked.
“Yes, My Lady. The grooming set I have placed in your bathroom on your vanity and the collars are tucked away in your wardrobe, but as for the odd squeaky toy, I was not sure where it should go, so I left it on your writing desk next to your bed,” she replied. I could tell feel that there was some question there. Maybe my guilt was fueling it.
“The collars. Well, here’s the thing. Dad had to leave suddenly while we were in town. Before he left, he gave me this note saying I could do a little shopping if I wanted to,” I began producing the slip of paper now ragged from my constant handling of it and launched into one of my one-breath ramblings. “I don’t know what came over me! I’ve never spent like that! It was pretty, and I wanted it, and the next thing I knew, I was making a purchase! Well, it wasn’t like he put a spending limit on me, but then he was in a little bit of a hurry. I was walking by the shop and saw the rich lady and her rich-looking poodle coming out so I go in there and there it was in the case! I don’t need a collar—let alone two, I’ve never had a need for a collar, never owned a collar and suddenly I’m buying collars—fancy collars! Although the spiked one was more for laughs,”—breath—“I had managed to rationalize it as maybe it would make for a nice accessory for special occasions. And then the grooming set! Well, I’ve never had one of those before either—Granny Dan had always taught me to make do with what I’ve got. Oh, she’d ground me for life! I’d be in so much trouble! Do you think my dad would be upset for my having spent so much?”
“I can’t really say,” Maria began slowly as she tried to process what I had just said. “My guess that that you don’t usually get to indulge your lupine self too often. That would be why the grooming set and the squeaky toy were purchased as well.” She seemed to suddenly understand a bit better.
“That would be so,” I conceded. “I find the things that squeak fascinating. While I didn’t do much to hide it from others so much back home, I’ve had to since I’ve arrived here. It’s one of those things you don’t normally spring onto people the first day. People who don’t really get it seem to shy away.” Maria nodded in agreement. I finally reached for the tea and dropped a couple of sugar cubes in while she went about picking up after me.
I took silent notes about my sitting room. I liked how much it reminded me of home. It was almost as if I expected Gran to come in and try to shoo me off to bed at any moment. I sipped at the tea and took a glance out the window. Night had already fallen. Part of me wanted to be up and prowling around. Part of me was just emotionally exhausted.
I drained about half of what was in my cup and shuffled off to my bedroom. Maria had already laid out the pj’s and turned down the bed. I set the cup down on the desk and found the squeaky toy. I couldn’t help in giving it a few squeezes. Hearing the squeak made me smile.
I headed back into the bathroom to find that indeed my grooming set was set out on my vanity. I ran a cautious finger along one of the silver-plated combs and picked it up, carefully weighing it in my hand and set it back down again before returning to my bedroom.
I picked up the pj’s and headed for the dressing screen. I finished off the tea and crawled into bed, sinking into the down of the mattress and feeling the deliciousness of the cool sheets and soon off to Land of Nod.