Nothing To Say

Mom is in her pajamas, laying on the couch, propped up against a pillow under a blanket and sipping a cup of coffee. Dobby makes his rounds through the living room rubbing against furniture and books watching Mom drink that first cup of coffee. Jumping on to the couch, Dobby makes another quick jump over Mom's legs and on to the back of the couch. Settling himself in a Sphinx like pose on a tan colored lap quilt folded across the back of the couch with his back to Mom. Dobby being a V.I.F. (Very Important Feline) appreciates Mom's extra special attention to the details that make his life bearable. Mom takes a moment away from the coffee to reach up with her left hand and scratch Dobby's back for him. Dobby turns his face to her, glares and slaps at the offending hand with her tail.

“Okay. I get it. Don't touch you,” Mom says pulling her hand away. “I know what you're thinking Dobby. I haven't written the blog for this week yet.”

“You haven't?” Dobby asks. Feigning surprise. “Well you should go do that Mom. My fans are waiting. I'd like the couch to myself. Do me a favor, turn on the television on your way out of the room, one of those home renovation shows is fine. Or a cooking show, as long as it's about fish.”

“I was just thinking. I am not going to write one this week. I really have nothing to say.”

“Nothing to say? Nothing?” Dobby asks.

“Nothing.”

“Mom you always have something to say. Even when you aren't saying anything useful you have something to say.”

“Not today.” Mom reiterates.

“Seriously Mom. You can talk. Some days I pretend to go to sleep just so you will go away and I can get some sleep.”

“That is so obnoxious. Thanks kitty.”

“I do what I can to make your life better Mom.”

“I'm really tired today too. Some quiet time would really be nice after yesterday.”

“Yesterday?”

“I started with exercise and finished with unplugging the drain line in the refrigerator. I was busy for twelve hours...remember?”

“You were, weren't you?”

“Why don't you go write the blog? You will feel like you did something today. Then you can have a...nap.” Dobby suggests.

“A nap. Really?” Mom asks in disbelief. “I like those.”

“I know you do Mom.”

“Just go in the kitchen get another cup of coffee, some dry cereal to munch on and hit the computer room. Remember writing equals a nap.”

“I don't have to do anything else?” Mom asks, getting up off of the couch and walking into the kitchen with her empty cup.

“No Mom nothing else.” Dobby follows her in walking past Aunt Purdy who is standing next to the laundry basket with dirty clothes in it.

“Wow. Nothing else to do all day long.” Mom says dreamily. She takes her tiny bowl of dry cereal and now full coffee cup out of the kitchen walking past Tinkletoes who is holding one of her cookie sheets. Dobby follows gesturing to Tinkletoes to hide the cookie sheet for later.

Mom walks through the living room and puts her coffee cup and snack down in the computer room next to her monitor. She turns around and heads back out of the room. Paige is sitting in the chair next to the window reading the lawn mower manual.

“Wait a second Mom. Where are you going?” Dobby asks.

“I'm cold I want to put on more clothes first.” She answers as she enters the bedroom. Mom does not see Dylan, Peter and Furnatche sitting on the unmade bed playing checkers.

Mom finally sits down in front of the monitor ready to write. “Dobby, I still don't feel like I have anything to say. Even with two cups of coffee my head is full of cobwebs.”

“Why don't you write about how much you love naps so you can take one?”

TP revs an electric sander in the background. “Silly human. No naps for you.” TP says giggling in the background.