Suddenly, I have the place to myself, and it's making me see that I really DON'T miss being single...yeah, like that's really been an issue for me.
Eric is in Michigan, Adam is in Oaxaca, Mexico, and Susan left on Thursday to spend a week with Adam. So here I am, padding around the house all by myself like an eccentric bachelor. Well, strictly speaking I'm not alone. Salem the Wonderdog is needier than ever, and with all of the cats coming in and out, I'm spending a lot of time acting as The Human Pet Door. In, out, in, out....this is what my life has become. Ah, well; at least I'm useful for something.
Susan and I have been separated before. I've occasionally travelled on business, so it's not as if this is a first-time thing. In fact, I'm going to be in Miami on business for the entire month of August. In many ways, this family is beginning to feel like four ships passing in the night. What is strange, and a bit disconcerting, is that I have no way to contact Susan. We were up at 4am on Thursday to get her out the door, and things happened rather quickly. In the hustle and bustle, I neglected to get her hotel information in Oaxaca. I have no way to reach her. In case of an emergency, well...let's not even go there.
I suppose I may as well get used to this, because this will be what the month of August will be like for me- except that I'll be the one away from home. Being the team player that I am (**snicker**), I volunteered to help out our Miami office. Hmm...like I'm not getting enough loneliness now....
It may not be until Christmas that all four of us will be under the same roof. Susan comes back on Tuesday, Adam on July 11th, but Eric won't be back until mid-August, at which point I'll be in Miami. By the time I return, Adam will be back at SIU in Carbondale, IL. I also will not have seen Eric for 2 1/2 months. This is my family. I love them dearly, but damn, it would sure be nice to have all four of us in one place for at least a day or two.
I miss Susan. At least I'm not sleeping alone, though. No, it's not what you're thinking. Salem has been laying with me until I fall asleep, and Einar curls up on my chest and stares at me with his inscrutable and unblinking eyes. It's nice to have them watching out for me. It's not the same as having Susan here, but it's what I've got for now.
Part of me is a bit jealous. I'm the only one who isn't getting to go somewhere on vacation this summer. Still, I did get LASIK, so while I may be lacking in the vacation department, my 20/20 vision is a pretty incredible thing, and it's not something that will be only a memory in a few short days. After wearing glasses for 34 years, if this is the best I can do for a vacation, well, let's just say that I've got no complaints.
I will say that I miss my family, though. It sure is quiet around here....
