She is still, after all of these years, haughty and aloof.

She observes us from a distance; from doorways and corners, countertops and shadows.

She eyes the exits, has an escape route in mind; is always prepared, and on the verge of bolting.

She studies us at night as we feign sleep, alights from the bedpost, creeps closer as we avoid eye contact; watches us as we watch her; all parties present in a stand off of half raise eyelids; none of us prepared to give up the ruse; be the first to blink.

We are unaware of the battle she has fought to get here; to allow herself to trust. Unaware of the bag of Christmas bows she has dragged out, slayed and protected us from; the rouge yogurt wrapper, the cat toy.

The gifts and offerings she has left strewn where we will see them in the morning.

All of the threats she has annihilated to keep us safe, while we “sleep” peacefully unaware.

She curls tentatively between us as we squeeze hands under the blanket counting this as victory as her purrs fill the air and she surrenders to trust and finally, closes her eyes.