On the first day of spring Ben took Jacob on a bunny leash and let him hop around the front garden. He loved watching the little ears bouncing up and down and he felt like Jacob instantly was happier as soon as his paws touched the grass, even though it was still a bit damp in the shade. Jacob would probably end up with muddy feet but Ben didn't care.
John stepped out of his front door wearing a bathrobe and striped pyjama pants. He picked up his newspaper and waved to Ben. "Good morning," he said.
"Oh hello there," Ben replied. "It is a great morning."
"Seems like Jacob's enjoying the nice weather, too," John said and walked over, leaning against the wooden fence that separated the two gardens. "I'll be honest with you, I think he's the fluffiest rabbit I have ever seen. Look at those floppy ears."
Ben smiled at this compliment. It made him proud that John seemed to like Jacob.
"Do you want to hold him?" Ben asked.
"Would he let me?"
"Of course." Ben picked Jacob up and handed him over to John. "I think he likes you," he said as John let his fingers run through the white fur.
"Did you ever think about getting a mate for him?" John asked.
"Oh, when I got him from the animal shelter I also took his brother. He was just as cuddly as Jacob except his fur was black. But he didn't adjust to his new home and refused to eat. He died before we even agreed on a name for him."
John frowned. "That's so sad."
"I know. After that I didn't want to get a new bunny. It felt like replacing his dead brother."
"I understand that," John said and handed Jacob back. "I think he wants to go back to you. If you like I can build him an outdoor hutch. I still have some spare planks and boards in the garage. We'd only have to buy some chicken wire."
Ben didn't know how to respond to so much kindness and looked at John in speechlessness.
"Do you think Jacob would like that?" John asked.
"I'm sure he would," Ben replied. "But that's really too much work to ask of you."
"It's not. And you didn't ask for it, I offered it. As a little thank-you for helping me with the bedroom."
"I thought the wine was the thank-you."
John laughed. "That doesn't count! I drank half of it myself."
"Alright then," Ben said. "But we build it together."