August 8th: Thinking about leaving

I walked out the front door so fast I didn't notice Squirrel was on the rail, eating some leftover flatbread from yesterday's Gyros sandwich. He spun around fast and went into "squirrel defense mode", ready to jump in any direction in an instant.

"Wow! Al, I thought we agreed not to scare each other any more!"

"Huh, what's that? Oh, hey Squirrel. Sorry, I didn't know you were out here."

He relaxed a little bit and went back to eating, but then stopped. "Wow, what's the serious look all about Al? I haven't seen you look like that before."

"I'm trying to decide something ... a big something." I paused for a little while because I was pretty intense in my thoughts. "I'm thinking about going back."

"Back to Kentucky? Wow, that is serious" he said, sitting down. "Well," he said quickly, "I recommend that you stay, but that's just because you keep me company, and the food is pretty good. Those last people were okay, but I had to eat that wooden chair most days" he said, pointing to the torn-up chair I've always wondered about. "And you're more fun to sit around and talk to."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind" I said, smiling a little. It's always nice to hear that you're good company for someone.

But then I walked down the driveway and off to the river without saying a word. It wasn't until later in the day that I realized I left him without saying goodbye. Just a few days ago I was upset because I thought he was dead and I'd never see him again, and then today I just left him like that. I need to tell him I'm sorry that I just walked off like that.