The next morning bright sunlight came through the café windows as I lifted my cup to drink my coffee. "Oh my gosh, Kelly! I can't believe you lost Whiskerton," Tiff said, her fingers were wrapped around her coffee cup and she starred at me eyes wide with shock. "I can't even imagine what you’re feeling right now.”

"Yeah, I've been pretty upset about it. He was such a wonderful cat, and it just doesn't feel like home without him." I said, taking a sip of my latte. I lied, I actually hate cats. I was devastated when Kelly gave him to me on Christmas. Tiff had said a home wasn't a home without a feline friend.

"I would feel the same way if I lost any of my cats! I can't imagine how lonely it feels to go home without a pet. It was pure luck I gave him to you right around the time your pet mouse Rickey died. I mean, who could have predicted that?"

"Actually, Whiskerton ate Rickey. I'm still pretty upset about that, too. " I said staring at my coffee cup. Rickey was such a fantastic mouse. Before he became dinner, I was training him to do backflips.

"We should get out of here and start hanging up posters or get his picture put on milk cartons just in case someone finds him."

"There's no need for all that. I'm sure Whiskerton will find his way back soon."

"But what if he doesn't!? Do you want me to come with you to get another one just in case he is lost forever!?"

"No, I don't think another cat could replace Whiskerton; he was one of a kind, you know. So, I'll wait as long as it takes." I said, gazing out into the street, I tried my hardest to look miserable. All I needed was the waterworks to complete my award-worthy performance Tiff can keep her murderous cats. Mama is back on the market for create a mice circus.

 "Depressing news aside, are you at least excited about your date with Devin tonight?" Tiff said, putting her elbows on the counter, hands-on her chin leaning in. 

 "Oh yeah, I guess. I mean, Devin said that he is going to take me to one of my favorite places tonight. But I hope we have a good night. We’ve been fighting a lot lately." I said, taking another sip of my coffee.

 "Over what?" 

 "The recent fight we had was over how forgetful he is. Devin not only forgot my birthday but our 6th anniversary." 

 "Well, you know how men are. They can’t remember two different dates. My boyfriend even forgets his own birthday, for crying out loud." 

 "Tiff, they’re on the same day."

 Tiff sat back, breaking eye contact and looking at the table. "Okay, yeah, that's pretty bad." She took a sip of her coffee, and her face lit up, and she continued. "But you guys have been dating for a while. Maybe you should move in, so he thinks about you more? Then he is definitely going to remember!" 

"I've tried to ask, because I told him I wanted to move in so we can start thinking about marriage, but Devin says he wasn’t ready for all that just yet. He said he needs more time to think about it." 

"It's been 6 years. How much more time does he need to figure it out?" Tiff said. 

"I don't know. I've just given up on the whole idea." I looked out the window and saw a happy couple across the street feeding some birds. I remembered all the fun we had when we first started dating. We would go Kayaking or play board games in a cabin during a blizzard. But now, anytime I come over, he is too tired to do anything but watch one of his stupid shows. It's weird things have just kinda fizzled out over the last 6 years.”

“Well, at least he’s better than that jerk you dated years ago.” Tiff said, digging in her purse.

“Hayato. His name was Hayato, and he wasn’t a jerk. I never understood what you had against him. Can we please not talk about him? I still haven’t gotten over him passing.”

“How did it happen again?” Tiff said.

“He died from forgetting to wake up syndrome.” I said.

“What is that again?”

“It’s when a person kind of just forgets to wake up. The people that usually die from it are like workaholics that are burnt out from exhaustion, or unproductive people that sit on the couch all day. It’s also the reason professional sleeping was banned as a sport a few years ago. Can we please go back to talking about Devin? I’m starting to get sad again thinking about Hayato again."

“Right sorry.” Tiff said. She pulled out her ChapStick and put it on her lips. Tiff didn’t meet my gaze as she put it on. I could see her searching for a way to change the subject. “Listen, all I am trying to say is that you are a rare, one-of-a-kind girl. I mean, look at those gorgeous lilac eyes. There's few people on the planet that have Alexandria’s Genesis. The way he treats you is unacceptable! He should at least take the time to remember your birthday! Even if he is unreliable and treats you poorly, you can always count on me, even if you have that useless boyfriend.” 

“Yeah, I know, and I’ve got your back too,” I said, finishing my coffee and packing up my things. "Alright girl, I have to get going. We're having date night tonight, and I still need to take care of some things before I see Devin."

"Alright, have fun, girl. Oh and you need to ask Devin about moving in again. He might be more interested this time around." Tiff said as we walked out.