When they got back to the house, Amy could feel the change instantly. It was as though a horrible blanket of fear and worry had been lifted from them, freeing them from the past couple of months of agony. The house felt sunnier, and the hugs Dad and Katie gave Amy felt purer and more wonderful than anything she’d ever known. It was as if she was seeing her family again for the first time after a long period apart.

“We can’t tell you what you’ve done for us,” said Mom as Miss Dola gathered her candles and smoke cleanser and stuffed them in her bag.

“It’s really no problem, my child,” said Miss Dola with a flick of her hand. “And my bill is on its way, so don’t thank me just yet. But I’m always happy to help a family in need, especially one as sweet as yours. And this animal …” She shook her head. “I really should’ve done this last time.”

“Thank you,” said Amy. “You saved us.” She extended a hand to Miss Dola. Miss Dola smiled warmly, and put her hand to her heart before shaking Amy’s.

“Anytime, my friend,” she said in a kind voice, and Amy could tell she meant it. Then she pulled a box from her handbag and tapped a long black cigarette out of it, and all at once she was the flint-hard diva Amy had met in the diner again. “But a word of advice: Don’t pick up any more strays.” Then she turned and strolled out with a click of her heels.

The whole family went to the couch and sat, Amy and Katie in the middle, Mom and Dad on either side. They held one another, and for the first time in ages, Amy allowed herself a smile.

It had been a long, hard road, but they’d gone down it together. And now, finally, it was at an end.

“Mom! Dad!”

Brandon looked up from carving the moat for his sandcastle. Next to him on their towels, his mother and father glanced away from their phones. Farther down the beach, his older brother, Neil, was waving and pointing at a big dark shape floating in the surf.

“What is that?” asked Dad, climbing to his feet. He put his glasses on, and he grimaced. “Oh my God.”

When they got over to Neil, Brandon got a good look at the thing. It was something wrapped in canvas and tied tight with rope—some kind of animal, by the looks of it, most likely a dog. It looked like it had spilled out of an old trunk that was half-buried in the sand a few yards away.

“Oh, gross,” said Brandon, backing away from the sodden bundle.

“Boys, don’t touch that,” said Mom anxiously. “You don’t know how long it’s been dead. It could be swarming with bacteria.”