Alicia Steffann

Augie had been at the window for some time when the coffee machine sprang to life. Issuing its cheerful gurgles and pops, it began filling up its tall silver pot. Just like it did every day at this time, the aroma of the people's morning drink wafted through the kitchen, eventually reaching Augie, where she sat on the back of the couch.

Augie had been at the window for some time when the coffee machine sprang to life. Issuing its cheerful gurgles and pops, it began filling up its tall silver pot. Just like it did every day at this time, the aroma of the people's morning drink wafted through the kitchen, eventually reaching Augie, where she sat on the back of the couch.

Augie had been at the window for some time when the coffee machine sprang to life. Issuing its cheerful gurgles and pops, it began filling up its tall silver pot. Just like it did every day at this time, the aroma of the people's morning drink wafted through the kitchen, eventually reaching Augie, where she sat on the back of the couch.

She was looking out the window, of course, surveying the yard. The sky was just beginning to get light. she could see tiny green buds dotting the branches of the trees. Although the window was closed against the chill, she could almost feel the brisk air that would touch her nose if she were allowed outside on the deck.

She was looking out the window, of course, surveying the yard. The sky was just beginning to get light. she could see tiny green buds dotting the branches of the trees. Although the window was closed against the chill, she could almost feel the brisk air that would touch her nose if she were allowed outside on the deck.

She was looking out the window, of course, surveying the yard. The sky was just beginning to get light. she could see tiny green buds dotting the branches of the trees. Although the window was closed against the chill, she could almost feel the brisk air that would touch her nose if she were allowed outside on the deck.

Still, indoors, this oddly comforting morning drink smell was appealing as well. And also, she thought to herself, it meant that it was time for her to go stomp on the people in their bed. As she noiselessly ascended the carpeted stairs, she yawned and reflected on the lazy humans. What would they do, she wondered, if Augie were not there to wake them each morning?

Still, indoors, this oddly comforting morning drink smell was appealing as well. And also, she thought to herself, it meant that it was time for her to go stomp on the people in their bed. As she noiselessly ascended the carpeted stairs, she yawned and reflected on the lazy humans. What would they do, she wondered, if Augie were not there to wake them each morning?

Still, indoors, this oddly comforting morning drink smell was appealing as well. And also, she thought to herself, it meant that it was time for her to go stomp on the people in their bed. As she noiselessly ascended the carpeted stairs, she yawned and reflected on the lazy humans. What would they do, she wondered, if Augie were not there to wake them each morning?

Their sacred morning drinks would get cold, for starters. The small humans would not make it to the yellow bus on time. Everything would be in shambles, she thought, with disapproval. She entered the largest bedroom. There they were, the man and the lady huddled like two lumps under their covers, snoozing away.

Their sacred morning drinks would get cold, for starters. The small humans would not make it to the yellow bus on time. Everything would be in shambles, she thought, with disapproval. She entered the largest bedroom. There they were, the man and the lady huddled like two lumps under their covers, snoozing away.

Their sacred morning drinks would get cold, for starters. The small humans would not make it to the yellow bus on time. Everything would be in shambles, she thought, with disapproval. She entered the largest bedroom. There they were, the man and the lady huddled like two lumps under their covers, snoozing away.

And between them, a tiny orange clump breathed rhythmically, its fur expanding and contracting in a predictable rhythm. The kitten, whose name was Meatball, was obviously kissing up to the humans again. Augie thought, with mild annoyance, how any self-respecting feline would be up already, taking care of cat business.

And between them, a tiny orange clump breathed rhythmically, its fur expanding and contracting in a predictable rhythm. The kitten, whose name was Meatball, was obviously kissing up to the humans again. Augie thought, with mild annoyance, how any self-respecting feline would be up already, taking care of cat business.

And between them, a tiny orange clump breathed rhythmically, its fur expanding and contracting in a predictable rhythm. The kitten, whose name was Meatball, was obviously kissing up to the humans again. Augie thought, with mild annoyance, how any self-respecting feline would be up already, taking care of cat business.

Augie hopped up on the brown wicker hamper and observed the three of them for just a moment. Then, in a swift movement, she jumped onto the bed, pushing the hamper to the side as she kicked off. It fell over with a satisfying thud and a t-shirt tumbled out of the top. The man stirred, but he did not open his eyes. Meatball quivered in his sleep and flipped over into another furry clump.

Augie hopped up on the brown wicker hamper and observed the three of them for just a moment. Then, in a swift movement, she jumped onto the bed, pushing the hamper to the side as she kicked off. It fell over with a satisfying thud and a t-shirt tumbled out of the top. The man stirred, but he did not open his eyes. Meatball quivered in his sleep and flipped over into another furry clump.

Augie hopped up on the brown wicker hamper and observed the three of them for just a moment. Then, in a swift movement, she jumped onto the bed, pushing the hamper to the side as she kicked off. It fell over with a satisfying thud and a t-shirt tumbled out of the top. The man stirred, but he did not open his eyes. Meatball quivered in his sleep and flipped over into another furry clump.

Augie had hoped for better, but she knew from experience that it might take a few tries to get the humans up. Stepping across the lady, she squeezed her considerable girth onto the small nightstand and knocked some hand cream to the ground, making a place for herself to sit. This got Meatball's attention.

Augie had hoped for better, but she knew from experience that it might take a few tries to get the humans up. Stepping across the lady, she squeezed her considerable girth onto the small nightstand and knocked some hand cream to the ground, making a place for herself to sit. This got Meatball's attention.