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Here is the picture of the contents of my apartment this evening:

  1. Two mostly drugged cats
  2. All their cat things
  3. A full-sized air mattress, fitted with my normal bedding
  4. Two couch cushions, where I’m sitting right now, to be disposed of in the morning
  5. An internet router, a couple of power strips
  6. Two suitcases, big and small
  7. An open box for miscellaneous items
  8. A small bag of food
  9. A pile of newly washed masks
  10. A backpack where I’ll keep my laptop and other work necessities
  11. Leftover packing paper and bubble wrap
  12. Paper towels and a bottle of 409

A few more random items are floating around, but by 6 am tomorrow they will either be packed in the car (cats and all, pray for us) or trashed. The apartment I’ve lived in for two years is empty now. Echoing. Expanding in its blankness. The last few weeks have been so hectic I know I’m not saying my normal slow goodbye to it so I’ll leave a bit of gratitude here.

Thank you, Apt 128, for two really good years. Years where I chose to be here and was mostly very happy. Years where I sat out on my balcony that overlooked the Austin skyline and danced in front of the mirror in my bedroom. Years where I truly fell back in love with myself again and still watched a bit too much TV and had to sweep all the time or get drowned in cat hair.

Thank you blank walls and newly swiffered floors. I’ll be too sleepy to say it in the morning. I hope your AC works better for the next tenant.

With Love,

Natalie