—When an animal passes, it leaves holes that need time to repair.
Neki was my best friend. I met her 1 in my 20s. One cold morning, I was walking to work when a tiny face poked(探出) through a bush. She was 2 . I picked her up and warmed her. But since I had no spare time for a cat, I put it down and continued 3 . Seconds later, pin-like claws(爪) attached themselves to my 4 . Orange eyes peered up into mine. I had no 5 . I took her home. She slept next to me for the rest of her life.
When Neki died, I didn't think I would be consumed with 6 . She was only a cat, after all. But the ache I felt was real. I 7 myself at work but still was on the verge of tears at the me re thought of it. My work greatly suffered. 8 , my contract ended. But being fired was 9 because it was in this stillness that I began the healing.
I tried to 10 the sorrow at first but it forced me into isolation. Then I learned to talk about my grief openly and 11 it with my family. This made me feel 12 and stronger. I granted(准许) myself the time to 13 Neki's objects. My home felt empty but the expectation of Neki's presence remained. All I could do was 14 .
Slowly, the ache eased. After a year, I surprised myself one morning when I woke up and didn't 15 to see Neki. She finally rested in my memory.
