I am sitting in an armchair reading a chapter on the valuation of assets for federal estate and gift tax purposes–not the most gripping material. Gwenny the cat is sleeping on my lap. Her body heat along with the ambient heat level up here in my third-floor study on this 90+ degree day contributes to my overall drowsiness.

Into the quiet room a loud noise explodes. Not that loud, really; more like a definitive thud than an actual explosion. But it is sharp and sudden. It could have come from the attic–something falling or–being knocked over. Gwenny and I both startle, she (with her faster reflexes) a fraction of an instant before me. I am awake now. It wasn’t that frightening a noise. It could have been Elvie closing a door downstairs. I pet Gwenny with parental calmness to let her know all is well. Our animals, our children.

But with parental alertness, Gwenny isn’t taking any chances with our safety. She continues to watch the attic door–just in case.