Dear Sam,
It’s Milo. I know you still check the windowsill.
I never once came when you called, so listen, because I’ll only say this once.
“He woke me up at four every morning by walking on my face.”
Yes. That was me. I’d do it again tomorrow.
You keep thinking you should have done more. You didn’t miss anything. You were the whole thing. 13 years of you, and I never once wanted a different person.
Leave my things where they are for as long as you want. Cry in the car. Move them when you’re ready, not when someone says you should. And when you catch yourself laughing again, don’t feel bad. I’ll hear it.
Nothing hurts here. I’m not tired anymore. There is a sunny spot here, and it is mine.
I was the luckiest cat there ever was, not that I ever let it show. Go easy on my person. That’s an order.
Love, always,
Milo