The kitten followed her as she walked out of the kitchen.
I stayed at the table with my head in my hands. I heard keys jingle in the front room accompanied by a faint, meow.
Listening to the front door creak open, a soft voice whispered, "C'mon."
I heard the door shut, then watched through the window as she walked to her beat-up Volvo clutching the kitten under her arm.
The green wagon backed slowly down the gravel driveway crunching the tiny rocks under its tires.
The car paused when it reached the street, then slowly backed out. Then I heard the transmission grind from reverse to drive, as I have a thousand times before.
That was the last time I heard the exhaust of my sister's green Volvo wagon fade away as she drove around the bend.
It was also the last time I saw that kitten.
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