Are You There, Quincy? 'Tis Me, Highlands....August 11, 1999

Are You There, Quincy? 'Tis Me, Highlands....August 11, 1999

Even though Quincy and I have a precarious relationship most of the time, I rely on my sister a great deal. Deep down, we are close. I count on her to look after the dogs (especially Moo) when I have to work. I use her washing machine more than my own. She cashes cheques for me when my accounts are overdrawn (which is most of the time). She feeds me when I am breezing in and breezing out, and when she knows I have no food at home. She lets me bring clients over when I have nothing better to do with them, or just do not have the constitution to brave it alone that day.

Because our issues as siblings are intertwined with our family issues, and our own personal ones, it is difficult for us to articulate how we appreciate each other, how we love each other, and how we sometimes need each other. It is in each other's absence that these feelings of longing are most noticable. She is away for the next two weeks, and already I am feeling as though something is missing; something is not right. My reality is not whole.

Exacerbating these feelings of sibling need was my having to take Reekie to the vet again today. Quincy always accompanies me, before to help wrestle with Reekie in the examination room, and now to help look after Moo while myself and a vet technician wrestle with him. Reekie was abused as a puppy, and is prone to episodes of high anxiety as a result. He hates vet exams, but loves the vet and the tasty treats she always has seemingly just for him after the poking, prodding, and occasional sticking are said and done.

Today, it was an sorely inflamed, infected ear that brought me to the vet office with Reekie, and how I missed Quincy's help. Reekie was his usual hyper self, squirming hither and yon, and adamant that he was not getting up on the table. Moo, left in the car for want of someone to look after her, I could hear wailing and whining from all the way inside the examination room.

The vet was quick, thankfully. She surmised that Moo and Reekie probably played too rough, and ended up lacerating Reekie's ear. She gave me some anit-biotic/inflammatory medication for him, and a treat later and we were on our way. I wish I could have her move in temporarily to apply the stuff the necessary three times a day, though. How he protests.

If you are reading this, Quincy, look up at the sky. I see it, too. I miss you.

....Blessed Be