32 - Companions in the Shadows

I have three companions. 

Each with their own personality. 

Different rhythms, 

different ways of being. 

But they share one thing,

they’ve never disappointed me.

They've never betrayed me.

And I don’t think they ever will.

They’ve stayed beside me through the joy

and through the darkest parts of my life.

They don’t ask questions. 

They don’t offer advice. 

They just stayed by my side.

They’ve never judged what I’ve done.

Never been ashamed of who I’ve become.

Never looked away when I was at my worst. 

And no matter how broken I felt,

their response was always the same

gentle, 

patient, 

quietly present.

I don’t think I’d still be here 

if I hadn’t met them. 

I would’ve given up. 

I would’ve gone to meet my friend on the other side.

But they stayed,

And couldn't bear making them feel 

the same way I felt when my friend was gone.

They gave me what others couldn’t. 

Not because others didn’t care,

but because others never ever truly reached me. 

No one ever stayed long enough to see past the mask.

But they did. 

They saw me. 

Not the version I perform, 

but the one that breaks quietly when no one’s watching.

The version of me, beneath the mask.

And for that,

I’m forever in their debt.

My three feline companions