Eric found a hairdresser randomly. It was a small and cozy shop. He didn’t wait for long.

“Just have it cut a little.” Eric looked into the mirror and said quietly. He knew that the Chemo would cause huge hair loss. Perhaps this was the last time he had the hair done as a normal person.

The hairdresser was a quiet person but worked fast. He finished Eric’s hair within 15 minutes, then said, “You’ve got really nice hair.”

Eric smiled and paid the bill. As he opened the door and walked out, he was thinking of John, who liked to rub his hair when they were students. He would pat and rub on the top of his head as if he was petting a puppy. John used to say Eric had really nice hair, soft and dark.

Eric was humming some tones, the song that he heard a few years ago. He smiled softly as he walked on the road, trying to find some lost energy and happiness. Eric used to like Adele’s ‘Someone Like you’. He hummed the song quietly until his eyes turned red, “Never mind, I'll find someone like you. I wish nothing but the best for you, too…” Eric realized he was being silly again.

As he passed the tube station, Eric saw a shoebox. He could also hear some quiet sound came from inside. He felt there were… some animals inside.

Eric opened the lid carefully and nearly forgot to breathe for a second. There were 4 kittens, black and white like cows. They must have been abandoned.

Fluffy animals were the favorite to Eric, but not to John at all. John would have OCD as soon as he saw any of the animals. However, Eric hesitated. If he walked away, the 4 little kittens wouldn’t stand any chance in such a weather. Moreover, Eric wanted to make decision himself for the first time ever.

In the end, 4 kittens and a man returned home together. Eric started to cheer up and bought some goat’s milk and biscuits for the night. Luckily, the kittens all looked healthy. They warmed up in the room and started to meow and play with each other.

Eric found 4 different colors of strings and put them on the kittens’ necks. He fed the kittens with biscuits soaked in the goat’s milk. The kittens loved it, and gulped the food like a bunch of piglets. Eric touched the kittens’ soft paw and was amazed by the softness. He had never been closed to any pets before and was melted by the cute kittens.

John got back home in the night, found Eric fell asleep on the sofa, with 4 fluffy items who were snoring softly.

“Eric!” John frowned as he stopped by the door.

Eric woke up suddenly, “What’s up?”

“Who gave you permission to take these home? Bin them!” John sounded rude. He dropped the laptop bag by the shoe shelf. He was arrogant and wouldn’t allow any disobey.

Eric dropped his eyes and looked rather lonely, “Where to bin them?”

John never cared about a fight, but he couldn’t handle Eric being gentle and soft. He couldn’t be mad at him, but only lowed his voice, “Eric, these things are dirty. When they grow up, they will turn the house upside down. They are such a trouble. Please honey, let’s not have them.”

“I really want them…” Eric sealed his lips and wouldn’t give in.

“You…”

“John, don’t you know me? I’ve always wanted them when I was little. But my family didn’t allow me. I had always thought that when I have my own family I’ll have a dog and a cat.”

John replied, “Honey, it’s been 10 years we live without a dog or a cat. Aren’t we happy? What about we have a cat later? I’ll get you a nice one.”

Eric looked at John and suddenly burst with tears, “I don’t want it later. I want it now.”

“Jack, let me keep them, please.”

John was shocked by it. He didn’t say anything but only changed the shoes and walked into his study room. Eric knew it meant he had permitted.

John knew Eric too well. Eric was always thoughtful. He didn’t spoil him apart from the very beginning of their relationship. Then gradually he took everything for granted.