Recently divorced and living alone for the first time in my adult life has been quite a challenge.The biggest adjustment has been conquering my fear of the dark.
I've finally moved beyond night lights, leaving lights on in other rooms or requiring the assistance of the television to lull me to sleep.
I just remind myself that (aside from the cats) I'm the only one here. Noises, creaking sounds and other things that go bump in the night are explained away as either movement in the other apartments or caused by natural elements - wind, rain, etc.
All my work at gaining my independence and overcoming a life long fear of the dark was almost shattered instantaneously a few mornings ago before dawn.
I'd been in bed most of the day and night. So, I decided to get up and head to the living room....just to change things up a bit.
I started a nice cozy fire in the fireplace, grabbed the blanket off the ottoman and plopped down in my favorite chair with feet and legs resting comfortably on the same ottoman.
As I began to snooze, Coco decided to get comfortable in her favorite spot as well - my arms. She looked so cute. The only thing I had to snap a quick pic without waking her was my handy dandy Blackberry.
I positioned the Blackberry as best I could and captured the pic above.
Seymour, my more independent kitty, was napping atop the cat perch in the corner of the room. I think he likes this spot because it's high up and makes him feel even more regal than he already thinks he is...hmmph!
In viewing the pic to make sure my angle had resulted in a decent pic, I noticed two eyes glowing up at me from the right side of the chair.
The flash is so bright on these darn phones til cat pics always have those creepy glowing eyes. But how could the cat be staring up at me from beside the chair when he was on the other side of the room staring down at me!!!!
(Queue the music from the shower scene in Psycho!!!!)
FEAR gripped me right at my throat. What evil spirit was I unknowingly sharing my apartment with. Oh God...Oh God will I live to see another sunrise. This abhorrent demonic creature had revealed itself to me in my photo of my sleeping cat.
Sweat the size of golf balls began beading up across my brow. My breathing grew heavier. The cat in my arms wiggled free, sensing the rigidity of my body.
I finally mustered up enough courage to get out of the chair and turn the light on.
If I was going to be possessed, murdered, or driven to insanity, I didn't want it to happen in the dark.
At least this way the playing field would be lopsidedly level.
As I approached the light switch which is in the same area the demonic eyes had been photographed, the floor changed. The smoothness and warmth of the carpet was gone replaced by something cool and strange yet familiar feeling.
Oh please let me get to this damn light. Please....Then I finally was face to face with the fiend.....
MY NIKE RUNNING SHOES I'D LEFT THERE THE EVENING BEFORE!
The reflective covering designed to protect runners at night had been the source of my chagrin.
I'm such a DAMN fool. But the cat does look cute...don't you think?
