The Golden Years

"I will never understand why you have to go out risking life and limb for food, George, when we've so much already at our disposal, and need for naught."

He shook his head at her, same as he had for as long as he could remember.  The same plea had fallen on his ears back in their courting days, and all throughout their child rearing years.  Now, it would seem, it would follow him throughout their golden years-though he didn't know why they were called 'the golden years', exactly.  Last George checked, there was nothing 'golden' about having the bulk of your conscious thoughts going towards making sure you don't void your bowels at an inappropriate time-other than the bedding, on occaision, of course.

"Why, g'dammit, Juniper, because I CAN!  I can and I WILL!", George exlaimed emphatically, stamping his foot as he spoke the last word.  He would never admit it, but these exchanges with the Mrs. amped him up for the task that lay ahead every bit as much as the risk itself, perhaps as much as the potential rewards. 

"Yes, but, have you forgotten what day it is, dear?", Juniper asked her beloved

George didn't respond.  Rather, he retreated, silently, into his head-reaching, searching, grasping for any straw, no matter how small, that would trigger the recall switch, delivering him an anwer, any answer, to give June asides from admitting that he had absolutely no clue as to what she was talking about or what day it was, for that matter.  Just as he was about to concede, to admit defeat-

"Meeeeeeoooowwww!   Meeeeeooooooow"

"Ahh.  Yes", George didn't jump at the cries coming from what seemed to be right outside his front door.   He forced a sly expression into his eyes, "Of course, my love, I know that Little Destroyer is away, so, sure as the sun rises, the cat will stay in, rather than going to investigate the bigger world beyond, to escape the grabbing hands.  I was merely making sure that YOU were thinking likewise, my dear, as I couldn't bear to have you ever forget it".

Juniper nosed a chunk of stale bread towards her husband without saying a word.  "Well," George said, "there is no need to go out risking life and limb, when we've already so much at our disposal and we need for naught".