His father nodded and gently pulled Jamie a few steps away from the glass. “You remember what you said to me? That Nibbles came to show you some love when you needed it most?” Jamie nodded slowly. His father knelt in front of him. “I think now it’s Nibbles’ turn to help someone else.
Just for a little while. Maybe that’s what he’s here for.” Jamie wiped his face with his sleeve. “Will he still remember me?” “Of course,” his dad said. “But right now, he’s making someone else feel what you felt when you first held him.” Jamie looked back at the glass. Meera had laid back down, Nibbles curled against her.
Her eyes stayed open, alert, protective. And somehow—soft. “You know,” she said finally, “her cub was about the same size.” Jamie looked up. “What happened to it?” Asha exhaled. “Complications during surgery. It had a hernia. We tried to fix it. Meera never saw the body. She waited for days. I think she still is.” Her eyes flicked back to Nibbles. “Until now.”
“I’ll come back tomorrow,” Jamie said. “Okay? Just to see him.” Asha smiled. “We’ll be right here.” The area was cleared of visitors, and zoo staff set up a watch. Cameras inside the enclosure pivoted, adjusting their focus. Meera groomed Nibbles, licking his fur like she’d done once with her cub. When he wriggled onto her back, she let him sit there proudly.