Rodie sat on the top of the baby grand absolutely fascinated at Ian’s fingers dancing along the keyboard. Actually, to his chagrin, the cat was fascinated by Ian in general. Since he had arrived home, he was rarely out of her sight.
Ian tried to take it in stride. He still drew the line at his bedroom, although she constantly tried to move that line in her favor. She knew better. All Ian had to do was lock eyes with her and she’d drop her tail and slink out.
The cat didn’t think it was fair that the dog got to be in Ian’s bedroom and she didn’t. Ralphie on the other hand didn’t seemed to know he had special privileges. Whenever Ralphie was in there with Ian, Rodie would sit as close to the threshold as she could without getting the door slammed in her face and just seethe.
Ralphie and the cat got along just fine. They played together and kept each other entertained when Ian or Ronnie were too busy to pay attention to them. Of course, Rodie preferred having the house all to herself without the dog around. It was her domain and Ralphie seemed to accept that.
Tonight, Ralphie was not around; so Rodie was pleased the place was all hers. She had searched the house thoroughly. There were so many people to keep her entertained. She loved it, but it was Ian’s fingers on those black and white keys that enraptured her at this moment. The vibrations the piano made when his fingers struck the keys made her purr.
At first it was his face. It was a look of sheer delight that made her jump up on top to get a better look. It was a look of contentment and happiness, true contentment and happiness. He didn’t have that often. There wasn’t much Ian could hide from her.
She had perched back far enough so that Ian couldn’t swat her for getting too close. There were too many humans around. He wouldn’t let her get too close, but when it was just the two of them; well that was a different story.
Ian would talk to her. He’d say things to her in ways he would never speak to the humans. Rodie would wait until Ronnie fell asleep before she’d gently wonder from the pillow next to him and go find Ian. They’d have their little time together.
Usually he’d be in the study or the living room and she’d jumped up on the arm of whatever he was sitting on and wrap her tail around herself until he was finished. He’d always sigh and rub his eyes, then smile and rub under her chin with one little finger. Then they’d have a chat.
Ian would tell her things and she would listen. Rodie loved the sound of Ian’s voice, even when he was growling at her. Sometimes, he’d lean back on the couch or the chair and sigh. That was always her cue that it was fine for her to curl up in his lap. As long as it was quiet and no one was around, they’d stay that way until Ian was ready for bed.
He’d reach for his cane and pick her up. Rodie just loved that. Ian would carry her to Ronnie’s room and gently lay her on the pillow next to the boy’s sleeping head. Ian would lean over and kiss his little boy, then smile and chuck Rodie under the chin one last time before disappearing up the stairs. She always listened for the tap of the cane to make sure he got there safely.
Of course, she’d nap awhile, then get up and make her rounds. Someone had to watch the humans. It had been her experience that they weren’t capable of doing it themselves. It was a nightly routine for her, several times nightly as a matter of fact.
First she’d check on the big guy, the new one they called Ripley. At first, he scared her but as soon as she heard him talk, she knew the big guy was going to work out just fine. He slept in the room by itself off the kitchen.
Of course, after checking on him, she’d check out the kitchen. One by one each room on the first floor would be inspected. Ian and Ronnie were very clean, darn it, but it had become her task and joy to check around just to make sure nothing that could spoil had been dropped and missed. That was something she needed to take care of. A spotless floor made her humans happy.
Finally she’d creep up the steps and into Ian’s room. She’d pace the perimeter and make sure he was safe. That was a big concern for her. She had to save the dumb human’s butt she loved one time too many.
Of course, now the big guy was here. If anything were out of place she’d run and wake him up. She’d practiced it several times, running down the steps of Ian’s room, dashing into Ripley’s room and pouncing on his face. Rodie thought he found it annoying but it always worked.
She’d jump on his face, careful not to scratch him, although she would if she had to. He’d always react the same, he’d mumble a few words Ian told Ronnie never to say, cradle her in one arm, grab that metal thing that seemed to break glass when you pulled that lever and walk around the house checking everything out. She had him trained well.
Most of the time, Rodie would just jump lightly on Ian’s bed and sit on the pillow next to him. She'd slowly slink over to feel his breath on her face. Once she was sure he was resting soundly, she’d quietly retreat back downstairs to her spot next to Ronnie. Some night’s when she was lucky, Ronnie would end up with Ian and she could sleep soundly between the two of them, her two favorite humans.
Tonight Ian was smiling and entertaining her by dancing his fingers across that keyboard. She couldn’t help but purr she loved it so much. She forgotten how much she enjoyed it and Ian had never let her get this close while he did it before.
She looked up from his dancing fingers and looked in his face. Their eyes connected and Rodie got ready to make herself scarce, but Ian smiled and winked at her. Rodie purred in contentment, wrapping her tail around her body and resting on the piano. They were both happy.
Now if they would only buy some fish…
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