Joshua nodded, his joy changing to a careful study of the puppy’s giant paws.

Michael sighed and tried again, voicing this time. “What’s his name?”

Joshua looked up, eyes wary when they’d never been before, and right there and then Michael vowed he’d never hurt his brother again. He’d learn to control his anger. He didn’t care how many times he had to spill his guts to Meredith.

“She’s a girl,” Joshua signed, letting go of the dog as he did so, but the puppy remained exactly where she was—cuddled safely in his lap. “I’m gonna call her Storm. From X-Men.”

“That’s a good name. She’s going to get really big.”

Joshua’s chin lifted, like he was preparing for an argument. “She’ll keep me safe.”

Ouch. The because you won’t didn’t have to be said. Michael ran a hand over his head before slowly signing his reply so that Joshua would know he was serious.

“I’m sorry, Joshua. It was wrong, what I did. I wasn’t mad at you. I was mad at myself.” And life. And the nightmare he couldn’t seem to escape. “I lost my temper and didn’t take care of you. It won’t happen again. I promise. Please forgive me.”

Joshua stared up at him for a long, long moment. Then he smiled and, putting the puppy down, lifted his arms to Michael.

Michael picked him up, breathing again when Joshua’s arms and legs came around him like a spider monkey. Joshua squeezed him hard and Michael squeezed hard right back. They stood like that for a long time, Joshua burying his face in Michael’s neck.

At last the little boy squirmed to get down and Michael had to let him go. Joshua tugged his hand, urging him to get into the pen with him and the puppies. Michael obeyed, sitting on the ground with Joshua and the new puppy in his lap.

He saw Dani watching him soberly from outside the pen. “You don’t have to take care of him anymore,” she signed without speaking. “Not alone, anyway. We’ll help you. And we’ll take care of you, too. It’s your turn to be a kid now.”

New tears burned his eyes and it was like he could suddenly breathe. “Thanks,” he mouthed.

Dani just smiled.

Yeah, Joshua was totally getting his own dog.

Cincinnati, Ohio
Tuesday, March 19, 6:10 p.m.

Cade backed the minivan he’d stolen into the alley behind the free clinic. He needed to get in and out quickly. The clinic probably had an alarm, and he was moving too slowly to get away before it sounded.