Between the two of them there was no pretense, but it was easy because one of them was a cat. It is a lovely thing for one of a twosome to be a cat. At least half the duo purrs with happiness when offered the leftover turkey. She meows heartily when it is time to open the back door and check on the snow depth and wind chill before deciding to spend the rest of the day in bed on the blue sweater that the other one forgot to hang up.
Everyone is free to sneeze, or burp, or swear as the situation warrants, but only the cat will swish her tail in a fit of pique. In the absence of pretense, the human being half can belt out “Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog” as loud as a rumbling snow plow, even though she knows she cannot hit even half the notes. The cat does not need to be polite, doesn’t say “I always loved that song.” She merely blinks and goes back to sleep.
There is more, of course. Much of it having to do with watching Project Runway without checking to see if anyone wants to watch something else, maybe something about cars or weight-lifting. Or maybe someone is sharpening her claws on the antique desk that belonged to Great Uncle Noah which causes the other one to clap her hands and yell, “No! Bad cat!,” but neither of them feels guilty after.
Then they discover that everyone needs a nap on the sofa under the green striped comforter, feeling cozy and content and they both do their own version of purring. Some are better than others. Sometimes it sounds like one or the other is doing a snoring sort of purr, but it is all okay.
***
The opening phrase, "Between the two of them there was no pretense," is borrowed from the novel Offshore, by Penelope Fitzgerald.
