9 Willow Street: And Then They Were Three
By Nell Iris
“Hey, you’re back!” Mattis’ words are followed by a fond chuckle, and then, “Stop that, you rascal! Quit digging up all our carrots.”
Affection flashes in my chest, deep inside where I feel all Mattis’ emotions these days, after being his heartbound for over two years. And the wave of tenderness that follows, tells me exactly who he’s scolding.
Smiling, I take a last look at the herb beds where I’ve been crawling around for the last couple hours, jump to my feet, and go looking for Mattis and “the rascal.” I find them by the carrots. Mattis is sitting cross-legged on the grass, face set in a concerned expression, as our little visitor lies pressed to the ground. His only ear is pressed flat along his back and he’s so tense he’s tre
