Shades of Green

“Get off my case,” Miss Kitty sent to Miles. “I had a dentist appointment with Robert Harrison on Friday. And I have a consultation with them tomorrow.”

Miles skipped up the stairs and slipped beneath the door jam leading to Harold’s lair, thinking about fairy wishes, and Miss Kitty's soon to be revitalized smile. He seemed to remember sliding right under the damn thing when he first arrived at the cabin, but now, he had to force his belly through the opening.

Miles stood up, brushing dust off his shoulders. “We should have Miss Kitty clean your room,” Miles said. “And unlock this damn door.”

Harold, staring out the window, said, “What?”

“Nothing old man,” Miles said. “I have good news. Miss Kitty has seen the dentist, and made an appointment for her teeth repair.”

“What?”

“Harold, what is the matter with you? You’re not paying attention.”

“Sorry, Miles. I think today is my wedding anniversary.”

Oh dear, Miles thought. Miles had removed all calendars in the house, and was glad he had escaped a celebration of the Fourth of July. Harold, terribly moody, became upset at the littlest things. And Miles knew that Harold’s wedding anniversary was not a little thing. Miles worried for Harold’s sanity. “Cats,” Miles mumbled, worried about his own sanity as well.

“I’m not sure how to respond,” Miles said, pulling his left ear. “I mean, does this entail a celebration, or a serious bout of drinking?”

Harold continued to stare out the window. “In the summertime, the grass shines with life in shades of green, sucking moisture from the ground, and the air all around.” 

Miles held his breath and counted to 7, thinking of running with Miss Patches in a field of wild flowers.

“Autumn falls, crushing all,” Harold said.

Miles tip-toed toward the door, and taking a deep breath, forced himself out of the room, and trudged down the stairs to his bookcase, where he decided to take a nap.