This has been the longest I have gone without posting. I feel like an ass. A lazy ass. It's not for lack of material, believe me. I am simply a lazy ass. But if you read my last post (which I know you did) then you know that won't be happening again. Because I will from now on be an industrious, diligent, and dedicated ass.
Tyler has--basically--adopted my cat.
Look, I am a person who will never have children. I have no want or need of them. I do, however, have a lot of love to give which is why I adopted my cat, Milly (aka Millicent Andromache Moneypenny) from a former co-worker who was moving away and couldn't take her along. Even though I was single and lived alone, I figured one cat was okay. As long as only had one. Once you let them outnumber you, you tread into cat lady territory. And since Milly was female, that also meant she wasn't a replacement boyfriend; she was a friend and roommate of sorts.
On my third day of work at my new job (where I met Tyler, btw), he said something to the effect of "You seem to be in a rush to get home every night. Do you have a cat?" I was shocked by this question because how could he know? Did I stink of feline urine? Was there cat hair all over me? Did I ooze the desperate vibes of a cat lady? I had no choice but to say "Yes, but I only have one. You can't let them outnumber you. Then you become a cat lady."
I was impressed (and a little freaked!) that Tyler knew me so well so quickly. We had been flirting before that and I was nervous that the admission of having a cat would cause him to lose interest in me. I heard somewhere that a third of men won't date a woman who has cats. Was Tyler a part of this third? No, he was not. Phew! Eventually I learned that he once had a cat too. And then when he started coming over to my apartment, he met Milly for himself.
I know I'm making this sound like a bigger deal than it is. I am not trying to seem like a single mother introducing her child to a possible stepfather. And it's not like Milly is one of those devil cats who needs a warning. It was just important for these two to get along. Back then, Tyler was at my house 50% of the time. And if things were going to get serious (like they are now), it was best that he understand that Milly and I are a package deal.
Luckily, they got along swimmingly. Milly, like most cats, is independent and aloof towards strangers. Sometimes she is even this way with me. She was tentative at first but eventually came around to laying on top of Tyler and I at night. And Tyler didn't just put up with this, he enjoyed it. When I used to stay at Tyler's, I would feel guilty for leaving Milly on her own. So when it came time for me to spend two consecutive nights at Tyler's, he invited Milly to stay as well.
This eventually became a common thing; I would lug Milly in her carrying case, her food and water dishes, her cat food, and her litter box over to Tyler's and then lug her and everything else back the next day. Then for one my 12 Days of Christmas gifts, Tyler got me (and Milly, really) a new litter box and pair of food dishes to stay at his place permanently.
Eventually, because he was totally fine with it, I left Milly with Tyler while I was at work. When he got home, I would receive texts like "Yay! Milly's here!" In my absence, he has put up with several annoying meowing jags, a few hairball incidents, and one litter box mishap. And those are just the things I know about.
Tyler and I are planning to live together in a few months. I am grateful he has not only accepted but embraced this important part of my life. I am grateful there was never even the suspicion of a "it's-me-or-her" type conversation. We wouldn't have gotten as far as we are if I had. It's just another reason I love Tyler and proof we are meant for each other.
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