And finally, he has accepted that I will honor his space, to speak softly, to move slowly, to provide him with connection for just as long as he requires and not a second longer and in return, I am reminded of my departed whiskered companion, sleek black fur hot from laying in the sun, thick frame breathing deeply, white belly the softest trap. I fell into an early groove this week with work, helped by provided isolation and long hours inside my own head to sort out problems that nobody will ever know I solved.