aunt lillian and the cat

among all the moments i cherish of those two days in utah, is this one: sara, kathleen and i have retreated from the Harmon's home on Apple Avenue in Provo. Aunt Lillian follows us out into the cold in shirt sleeves. she points out the fat, but shy, cat crouching nearby. he came to her hungry, she explains, and he has stayed. but he has made up for that hungry time, she smiles. we wave our last good byes and climb in the car, but Lillian is still gazing contemplatively at the furry beast, still talking gently to him, leaning on the railing looking down at him, sun shining on her white hair and lank arms, not moving even as we drive out of sight down the hill, in quiet communion . . . .