A Faint Cry

As I nestled into bed on Wednesday night, I asked Carolyn if she had noticed our cat, Gracie, in the last few hours. No, she had not, and she set off on a quick house search, but to no avail.

Earlier that afternoon, we'd had a Cox service call and Carolyn had seen the cat then, but we hoped that she had just found a new chair or corner in which to nap. Thursday, I awoke and began my morning rituals with no cat in sight, and later Carolyn called to say that she had searched everywhere without success.

Had Gracie slipped out of the house during the previous day's service call? Was she trapped in the garage?

When I got home Thursday a little after six, Carolyn had not yet returned from her activities and while I opened the mail in the kitchen, I heard a faint cry. Where was it coming from? I couldn't tell and it was only occasional so I couldn't place it.

I checked the garage, outside, the deck, opened cupboards and cabinets, looked behind and under couches and furniture. Nothing! Carolyn arrived home and we heard the cry again. I looked in the neighbor's yard, retraced my steps and called out for the cat.

Gracie cried a bit more frequently and Carolyn followed the sounds to the back room which was open. She called me in. Gracie was caught between two chairs stacked atop each other and couldn't get out! I moved the furniture and extricated her and she bounded out after nearly 24 hours eager for the treats that Carolyn gave her.