I was sitting in the big clawfoot tub, with the door open, alone in the apartment except for my kitten, Rapper. He was in the next room, and I happened to glance over at him. All of a sudden, he got into stalk position, tail swishing, eyes riveted on me. I ducked down inside the tub and waited a few seconds. When I popped my head up, Rapper had advanced several steps. He froze, front paw midair, when he saw me. I ducked again.

We kept this up for a few minutes until he arrived, jumped up and batted at me, carefully, claws retracted. Since I proved to be such a good student, he later taught me how to play fetch.

Of all the men long gone in my life, I think he's the one I miss the most.