The lady frowns over her glasses at Baby. “It,” she says through her nose, “is not allowed.”

Before I can say anything, Daddy says in his low, soft voice, “Beg your pardon, ma’am, but he is.” He picks Baby up. “He’s an official support animal, like the vest says.” When Daddy uses that voice, you don’t argue.

The nurse looks from Baby to Daddy. “The patient is being discharged today?”

Daddy nods. “Yes, ma’am.”

She waves her hand, shooing us away. “Go on up,” she says, “but don’t linger.”

When we get up to the floor where Jewel is, Baby knows exactly where he is. He pulls on the leash and whimpers. His little tail wiggles like crazy. I can’t believe it, but he heads straight for Jewel’s room!

Daddy pushes open the door. Jewel is sitting on the hospital bed, her back to us, talking with her case worker.

Ms. Madison’s face lights up. “Well, look who’s here!”

Baby throws back his little head and lets out the biggest bark.

Jewel turns around and gasps. Her face lights up like Christmas, Fourth of July, and a birthday cake with a thousand candles, all rolled together. “Baby!” she cries.

Baby pulls the leash from my hand and, in two giant leaps I would never have thought that little dog could manage, he’s on the bed and in Jewel’s arms. His furry front paws wrap around Jewel’s neck; his tongue licks and licks the tears streaming down Jewel’s cheeks.

“He’s just like a little person,” Mama says with wonder.

I look over at Daddy, who’s busying himself with the wheelchair. I don’t know that anybody else sees it, but I do. I see a tear slide down his cheek.

The Country-Wide bus station is surprisingly busy for it being the middle of the day. All kinds of people are coming and going. I was so scared and angry and confused when my family came through here, but this time I’m happy to be back.

Jewel stands in between Mama and Ree, clutching her bus ticket in one hand and Baby in the other. Ree promised that no matter what, she’d be here. One thing I’ve learned about Ree through all this is she’s someone you can count on. Even if she does have tattoos, dreadlocks, and a ring in her eyebrow.

A voice announces over the loudspeaker the bus to Boise is leaving in two minutes.

Daddy touches Jewel’s arm. “Let me take these over to the bus for you, Miss Knight.” He picks up her black suitcase and duffel bag.

Jewel turns to Ree and hugs her long and hard. They look into each other’s eyes—sparkling blue into coal black. They don’t say anything, but you can tell they’re saying all they need to about what they’ve seen and what they know.