The Ritual Come Early

I awakened this morning with an uneasy feeling that something wasn't quite right. Suspisciously, I turned towards the window and saw only darkness through the glass panes. Confounded, I looked to the nightstand and checked the time of the alarm clock. It glared back at me displaying 3:30am. As I turned from it to pull my sheet back into position, I heard movement from the Living room. 'Drat,' I thought as Three Cats bounded onto my bed having been 'discovered.' I would Now have to get up and feed them.
For those of You that don't have cats, I'm sure that you think the idea of leaving one's bed at such an early hour to feed pets is Ludicrous. 'Cat People' know differently. Once you have even simulated a routine, Cats will not allow you the luxury of returning to your previous state. The Behavior must be followed through to the end or you are in store for much unpleasantry (and don't need to elaborate). In earlier days I had tried to reason with My feline roommates and found that it was fruitless since they would have none of that 'Nonsense.' The experience is something akin to their taking possession of the keys to the car and your the only Driver. Next thing you know, You'll be pulling out of the driveway. As I hoisted myself from the bed, they dove to the floor and headed to the Dark kitchen. They had tagged me and I was it.
Though dark as pitch, I found my way to the kitchen illuminated by a light that I kept on above the sink. As my right hand hit the main light panel, all three stood at attention in the glaring light then wound there way towards their bowls. I scooped each dish up, opened the cabinet and the sound of cans being cracked open set them in motion once more. They crowded towards Me as the food was dished out, Tightly curling up to my legs. To move from my placement I would have to tentatively stick a foot out to clear a path. As each ran to their assigned site. I lay the bowls in front of them (somewhere in my head was a thought of being a Grown woman being duped). Switching the kitchen chandelier off, I left them in the dimly lit kitchen to finish their breakfast. Perhaps I could retrieve more sleep.
I wearily crossed back upon my earlier path and went once more to my
bed. I grabbed the sheets and nestled a pillow to my head attempting to proceed back into a slumber. Within five minutes my hopes and plans were dashed again. More sound came from the living room consisting of dashing across a carpet and the unmistakable 'sliding into a kitchen chair', all punctuated with various tones of hissing. I lay in my bed merely awaiting the next familiar scene to be played out. It wouldn't take long.
True to form, I felt the weight of three entities as they dove onto my bed. Each settled into a cumpulsory spot and began to preen themselves. I was now wide awake but kept my eayes tightly shut in a poor rendition of 'playing possum.' The two littermates continued to focus attention on themselves But, the 'Alpha' knew better. He had been my companion for years when I still harbored Teenagers in my house and had long ago caught onto my Games. A paw touched my face. Sensing that I was not moving to His tentative pressure, I felt a 'sandpaper like tongue upon my face. My eyes met His and He satisfactorily sat back smugly knowing that He had won.
I gently caressed this blue pointed beauty as He rubbed against Me claiming Me as his own. His coat was dense and soft as I my hand traced His features and slid down His tail. Once more we locked gazes and He moved his tongue to my hand to preen me finding each individual finger in an attempt to 'clean' it thoroughly. I rose to a sitting position, propping the pillows against the headboard as He fully moved to my lap. I scratched his neck and hugged Him to Me more closely . A steady purring sound presented itself as He languished upon my legs, stretching and nuzzling in turn. The ritual at an end once more, he raised himself from upon me, leapt from the bed and meandered out through the door. The littermates, intrigued by this action, looked to each other then scurried from the bed in hot pursuit. My use at an end, I found myself alone once more in my room with no chance left to regain the sleep that I had lost.
I once more doggedly left My bed and dressed myself this time, donning my shorts and tank top and tying my sneakers into place. I guess that it was time for My walk.