It takes two.

Mather slouches on the bench, waiting for Mathilda to return, wondering why he is here, what happened to Mouse, and what he is going to tell Mathilda when she does return. He reaches up to wipe away the sweat that had started to bead on his forehead despite the cool air when he feels a tap, tap, tap on the other hand that is pressed into the bench. He looks down and starts.

“Mouse! I thought you were gone. Where…” he breaks off as Mouse holds up a paw in warning.

“Oh, right.” Mather pinches Mouse with care around the midsection and lifts him to eye level. “You gave me such a scare you little devil.” Mouse’s whiskers twitch. Mather places him on his left shoulder where he belongs and, just like that, Mather feels much better.

Mouse is filling in Mather’s gaps when Mathilda returns.

Mather clears his throat and stands. “I remember why I am here,” he says. “I need a job.”

Together, Mather, Mathilda, and Mouse walk down the halls toward the personnel office.

Sometimes, it just takes three.