The Quiet Green Buddy

Jump, scramble, thud! I scurried off the desk and hauled my plush belly onto the wide wooden windowsill. Right in the warm sun sat a tiny succulent tucked inside a white ceramic cup. Another green buddy! I waddled right over and threw my open arms forward, ready for a giant welcoming hug. But the plant just stayed perfectly still, its thick leaves resting cool and firm against my chest. Not a twitch. A little flutter of quiet sadness sank into my stuffing, but that’s okay! I tapped the smooth ceramic rim with my stubby fingers and leaned right against it. Sunbathing together is almost as good as talking anyway.