Ken waited by the door, his round belly pressing against the wood. Tail tip flicking. The key clicked. He scrambled up and trotted to the entryway.
Kaelyn stepped inside with wet hair and a mouth turned down. Ken bumped his head against her ankle. She kept walking.
Ken followed her to the sofa. She sank into the cushions, pulled her knees up, and stared at the dark TV screen.
Ken jumped up and dropped his toy mouse at her feet. He looked up with wide eyes. No response.
Ken tried to climb onto her lap, but his belly was too round and he slid off. He let out a long meow.
He tried again, curling tight against her side. His purr started like a little engine. The vibration traveled through her arm.
Slowly, the corner of her mouth turned up.
Kaelyn's hand found his fur, scratching behind his ears in long slow strokes. The purr rumbled louder.
When she finally looked down at him, her smile was as round as his belly.
The TV stayed dark. The purring didn't stop. Somewhere outside, the rain kept falling.