This week’s prompt at 100wcgu is …but even when I listened carefully…
***
Over time and to the lucky ones, animal-friends and their humans can become acutely aware of one another’s subtleties. A curious twitch of her tail, a breathy purr a nano-octave higher, or even my teary sigh never goes undetected and unattended.
One night before I fell asleep, Bonnie touched my cheek with her paw and gazed into my eyes.
It was an unusual look: a sad, meaningfully serene, almost apologetic look.
I thought she was just being cute, so I smiled and stroked her cheek until she fell asleep.
Even though I listened carefully—
always—
always, to her heart
my heart failed to hear Bonnie’s goodbye.
