Ratso watched as the man and woman approached and poised to flee. People often would try to step on him or throw things at him. In the man's mouth was a glowy smoking stick that made Ratso nervous. A couple days ago, someone flicked one at him and his nose was still sore. To Ratso's surprise the man flung the glowy stick far away in the opposite direction. Although he was still poised to flee, Ratso watched as the man bent down and pulled something delicious smelling out of his jacket.
Hesitantly, Ratso looked at the man and he smiled so Ratso moved towards the cheese scented object. Darting his tongue out, Ratso determined it wasn't cheese, but it sure tasted good. Behind the man, the woman was crossing her arms and looking annoyed. Why was she mad? Ratso wondered.
"Jack, what are you doing feeding a filthy disgusting rodent?" the woman demanded shrilly.
My name isn't rodent and I'm not filthy! Ratso squeaked in indignation.
"Stick around Ratso," Jack told him.
Jack and the woman left and Ratso nibbled on the delicious cheese flavored thing thoughtfully. Part of him thought he should scurry off; but the man had fed him and knew his name. Maybe the man would come back without the mean lady. Ratso had just finished the treat when Jack came back. The awful lady was still with him; but Jack carefully stroked behind Ratso's ears.
Holding out another Cheeto, Jack asked, "Wanna come with us?"
Ratso took the treat in his paws and allowed Jack to pick him up. He liked Jack, Ratso decided as he ate and the man stroked his fur. The woman started fussing and poked her finger in Ratso's face. Angrily he bit her. How dare she yell at Jack and stick a finger at Ratso's sore nose! For a moment, he was afraid Jack would be mad, but he laughed and so Ratso laughed to.
"I don't think he likes you Sharon," Jack informed her as they walked to the car.
Darn right I don't! Ratso agreed.
Jack placed Ratso in the back seat of the car on a blanket and gave him a huge stack of the cheesy orange things he called Cheetos. Although Ratso wasn't sure what Cheetos were he liked them and from the scent of Jack's fingers he did too. The car started and Ratso got a little nervous when Jack lit a glowy stick, but he flung it out the window and Ratso decided Jack wasn't going to hurt him with it.
When the car stopped after a very long time, Jack carried Ratso into his home. Sharon continued to whine and Ratso wished he could bite her again. Jack placed Ratso in a large cage and put in some toys and Cheetos. Although it was very different from his home in New Orleans, Ratso decided he liked it. There were all sorts of strange and wondrous sites from his cage and Ratso watched with interest.
The next day, while Sharon was in the bathtub, Jack held a picture up to the cage of another lady and whispered to Ratso, "This is Samantha. She'll be coming to live with us someday."
Does that mean that horrible Sharon is leaving? Ratso wondered and looked up at Jack.
"Soon my Samantha will realize her full potential and then Sharon will be no more."
That's good. But they both look kind of alike, is Samantha all mean? Ratso inclined his head at the picture.
"Sharon was a mistake, she'll never take the place of my Samantha. Ah Samantha," Jack purred and pressed a kiss to the photo.
Samantha sure made Jack happy! Ratso hoped, she would move in soon and that Sharon would leave. Eating another Cheeto, Ratso laid down and fell asleep, content in his new life.