One eye cracks open, and then brims with tears. Vickie's hand comes up, a little shaky, and slowly.

So slowly.

So very, very, very fucking slowly, like she's afraid this cat will shatter.

Approaches the orange cat, who watches its progress the entire time with all the self-preservation instincts of a ceramic peanut. The cat's reward for this patience is to Be Petted, slowly and lovingly, by someone who thought maybe they'd never do this ever again.