He said he loved me.

Saw him in the backyard and then, without transition as these things go, in the back hall. He came to me and I was terrified. Stood up right next to me, close, close. Purring. I put my arm around his neck. His teeth were huge. His muscles rippled under my arm. I held my breath.

And then I seemed to feel familiarity. He was mine. We knew each other. I’d always known him. “Love you,” I said. And he answered in a cat voice. “Love you too. All the others killed me.”

Knew he wouldn’t hurt me. But he could and would hurt anybody else. What to do? Close to panic. And then I woke up.

It seems less than the dream experience to play this, but it’s the best I can do.

Made me think. Maybe house cats are the next step up from stone killers on the Savannah. Maybe Elliott and I have met before.

Or not.