The next morning, I dressed in the big, scratchy clothes we’d found me for work, and zipped my combat boots on too. Rocky remained beside me, and my fingers were tangled in his fur when I met Rocco’s dad in the driveway of his house.

He gave me a tired grin when he saw me. Though I hadn’t seen Rocco smile in person, I immediately saw the resemblance between him and his dad thanks to the pictures on the plaque his mom had hung on the wall in the store.

He held a hand out. “I’m Oscar ...