Two Isn't Always Two

“Have you checked on the guinea pigs today?”

I scratch my head, looking in the fridge for the half-used bottle of milk.

“I was going to do that after breakfast.” Finding it, I unscrew and leave it on the table.

“You should check on them now.”

I grab a bowl and the cereal from the cupboard. I can see the hatch outside, but the two guinea pigs are hidden, most likely in the enclosed half.

“I’m sure they can wait ten minutes.”

“They might be hungry.

I was hungry, but my mum didn’t seem to care about that.

“I topped up their food last night, I’m sure they’ll be fine.” I started pouring the cereal into the bowl. “They’re not two growing boys that can’t go an hour without food.”

“No, but think of them as two growing men.”

Sighing, I put the cereal box down on the table.

“Alright, I’ll go and check on them.”

Heading outside I go over to the hatch in the corner. There’s no noise coming from inside, but as I open the lid I hear the familiar squeak.

But it wasn’t familiar.

“Mum!”

She’s already standing at the back door watching me.

“Mum,” I say again, looking down into the hatch. “What happened?”

“Well, when two guinea pigs love each other very much…”

“They’re both boys.”

She reaches down into the hatch and lifts up a small, round ball of fluff, placing it gently in my palm.

It fits in one hand, and as I watch it, I feel it nosing into my palm.

“Well,” I say, smiling. “Now this one really is a growing boy.”