KENT, Ohio — A recent TikTok trend had users holding up their pets to show them the higher parts of the house that the animals couldn’t see — a beautiful bonding experience that the pet likely forgot as soon as they returned to the floor. The humans will forever remember how nonplussed Fluffy was about the top of the refrigerator.
Elizabeth and Kevin Tivney didn’t have any pets, but at 4’6”, Elizabeth had never seen the top of her refrigerator. For 35 years, she never cared about it.
“I assumed it was flat. Probably dusty. It’s not like the fucking Mona Lisa was up there,” Elizabeth explained.
We asked Elizabeth if she ever felt left out not being able to see or access every part of her house. “We adapted almost everything in the house so that what I need is accessible to me, and areas like the top of the cabinet we just designated for Kevin’s stuff,” she said. “Frankly, I don’t need that shit.”
Then, Kevin showed her one of those TikTok videos, and Elizabeth decided she wanted to try it herself.
“I’m going to be honest – I was so stoned,” Elizabeth admitted. “Kevin thought the cat’s face was really funny, and I got kinda swept up in it. Say what you will about Kevin, but he does entertain my more whimsical moments.”
So, did curiosity kill the cat?
“It was exactly what I expected. Flat. Dusty. I did find an earring on top of the fridge that I had lost, but that’s it.”
After years of not being able to fully appreciate the beauty of a mid-90s-era ceiling border, was Elizabeth’s hunger finally sated?
“I’m good,” she said.
Any last thoughts?
Elizabeth considered, “Kevin wouldn’t show me the top of the bookcase. I think he hides candy there. That’s some ableist bullshit.”