It’d been some weeks since I’d ventured out. That morning I found myself on the floor, no longer able to stand. I should have eaten more, but… no food.

After the felony conviction for peeing on the bush, and the subsequent sexual offender listing, no employer would have me. I did avoid jail with a plea bargain; and my offense, such as it was, didn’t exactly qualify me as a threat to anything. Well, bushes, perhaps.

Eventually, my funds dried up, and my friends… conspicuously absent. Still, you’d think someone would stop by and try to introduce me to the Lord or something. Maybe offer me some light-bulbs for the blind.

I guess not.

I spent some time wondering if I could climb back up on the mattress. Be kind of annoying to expire right here on the floor. Wood is hard.

I think it was about then that the cat came in the window. My breathing comes only in the lightest of puffs now, and I can no longer open my eyes… but I can still feel the deep purring against my cheek.

I found a friend after all.