Cy eased the door open. Honey trotted up to greet her, tail wagging against her leg. The house was calm with low lights and the air recycler humming.
Star drifted in behind her and zeroed in on the bags. "Snacks!"
"We're eating soon, sweetheart. A snack will spoil your appetite," Betty said.
Star let out a huff. "I can eat a whole cow!"
Honey perked up and trotted over, nosing the bags like she agreed with him.
"See? Honey understands!"
Del shifted the bags in his arms and nodded at Star's scrawny frame. "He's a skinny cat, Bet. Give him something small to tide him over."
Betty paused.
Hannah met her eyes, warm and steady. "Your call, sweetheart. But he's growing. A little something won't hurt him."
Betty sighed. "Something tiny. That's it."
Honey barked once, firmly in favor.
Cy smiled as Del gave Star a crispy rice treat.
