Gone.

The difference in the sounds was apparent at once. No contented chatter, no tiny little sounds that made it seem like information was being licked and savored, caressed and then neatly tucked away....

These new sounds were somehow different, somehow confused.

Oh - there was tenacity, I'll give you that. There was the thought that perhaps *this* time, things would be different - that the confusion would resolve itself into new understanding.

Who knows what precipitated the disaster? Had I not given all I could give in care? Did I not lavish praise and attention?

Perhaps it was just time.

So now I sit and wait for the prognosis - will there be anything to save? Will anything ever be the same again?

Man, I miss my laptop...