Meow. The faint sound gave away his surprise gift—a kitten. Embarrassed, he scratched his head as I laughed softly.
“Tha-thank you…W-wil…fred,” My words came out stilted, each syllable deliberated, but to Wilfred, it was a monumental breakthrough. It was also the first time I had ever said his name.
But Wilfred’s eyes welled with tears. Setting the kitten aside, he wrapped me in a tight embrace. Perhaps it was the warmth of his unwavering companionship, after all these years that I didn’t resist him. After a brief hesitation, I even hugged him back.
