Cheese

Ted opened his eyes, stretched his legs in front of him and waited for her to come.

Everyday around one o'clock he would hear J's voice calling to him.

'Okay, time for lunch. Did you have a good night?'

Ted would yawn and blink his eyes in agreement. Too sleepy to try and say much more to J. For him, it felt like the middle of the night but he didn't complain. He liked J coming to him. Caressing his fragile body. Holding his feet in her hands. He liked the kisses and her gentle commentary. It made him feel special. Loved. More than he was.

And he was more to J. Much more. He was her life. She would take a bullet for him. She would do anything to make Ted happy and keep him well.

So every lunch time she prepared his food. Chopped up the little bits and pieces and dropped it in a bowl. She would sing to herself as she did. Content. Warm inside. She liked to care for him. It made her feel special too.

She flicked the locks to Ted's room and put the food on the floor. Ted moved to meet her hand. Sniffed out the yellow lumps in the bowl. J put her fingers on his head as he began to chew enthusiastically. The same as every day. J smiled watching him.

Ted loved J so much that he could never let her know that hamsters don't like cheese.