So, here's tonight's Thatch report:
He gobbled his food like a starving child. When I went into the bathroom to get his plat, he was crouching in the litter box and hissing at me. When I returned with the food, he ate some of it from my hand and licked my fingers. Then he got scared and jumped back in the litter box to crouch and hiss. I gave him some more food, sat on the toilet seat cover, and while he ate, I stroked his back and spoke very gently to him about how much Anabelle and I want him to be her little brother.
Then he started circling me, rubbing against my pants, and purring while I stroked his back and neck. I won't try to pick him up because I fear he'll panic again and we'll lose the good mood.