Where I Was From

Mousing

I was stowing our deck chairs in the rear stairwell of the house when I spotted something about the size of my thumb scurrying out a frantic circle a few feet away from me. I figured it was a hyperactive bug and dismissed it at first glance, but closer attention revealed it to be an actual, real life mouse. Commence nonsensical bellowing. The mouse marked out a wilder circle on the landing, then ran straight toward me, bounced off my foot, and disappeared into a hole in the wall somewhere next to the staircase. I finished yelling, wondered why I should freak out at the sight of a mouse when the gnarliest of insect invaders leave me calm and collected, and called in The Expert.

The Expert had been watching from her usual perch on the kitchen radiator, but after poking around the stairwell with her in my arms, I realized there was no guarantee she wouldn't run for the mystery nook under the stairs that might allow her to crawl under the house and vanish for all time. Left with no choice but to dampen her excitement and take her back inside, I gave her a couple of skritches and went back to work on my computer.

It must be dull to be a resident Expert receiving so few consultations, but she does bring a cuddly peace of mind to the household.

Labels: memoir

posted by Leah @ 5:38 PM