Tanya gripped the leash tightly. She had never walked a dog before. Absurdly, she found herself worrying she would drop the leash and Bruno would run away, even though that was silly; she knew how to hold on to things. She started to walk and the leash grew taut. When she looked down at Bruno, he was lying on the ground, his front legs splayed out in front of him like he had tripped on some ice. His eyes were closed.

“Maybe Bruno is tired,” she said.

“He’s old,” Ross said. “I guess we should take him home.”

They had only walked about a hundred feet. Bruno scratched at his ear but didn’t get up. Tanya tugged a little on the leash and he reluctantly climbed to his feet. When they reached the driveway, she handed the leash back to Ross, who wrapped it around his hand again.

“Thanks for coming on a walk with me,” Ross said.

“You’re welcome. I’m Tanya, by the way.” She hadn’t meant to tell Ross her name. It just wasn’t good spying technique. But she felt quite sure that Ross was not going to tell anyone about their walk.

“I’m Ross.”

“I know.”

Ross scratched his head in a gesture that reminded her of Dallas. “Will you say hi to my dad for me?” he asked. “Dallas,” he added, in case she had forgotten.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Tanya said. “He might not like that I came to see you.”

Ross considered this. “You’re probably right.” He didn’t seem upset about it at all, which hurt her heart a little.

“Maybe someday he’ll come to see you, too,” she said.

“No, he won’t,” said Ross. He stuck out his hand for her to shake. “Bye, Tanya.”

She took his hand. It felt unnaturally cold for the temperature outside. “Bye, Ross.”

Now, Tanya crouches down and picks up Ross’s ball. When she hands it to him, they lock eyes. “Thanks for coming to visit me,” she says.

“You’re welcome,” Ross says, taking the ball from her. He sits back on the couch and bends his finger over the ball, picking at the soft rubber with the nail of his index finger.

Tanya turns back to Finn. “None of this has anything to do with you,” she tells her. “You need to let this go.” She means this obsession with the boy meeting Dallas. Her anger at Dallas. Dallas.

“Of course this has to do with me,” Finn says. “This is my family we’re talking about.” She settles into her seat. She is not going anywhere, thinks Tanya. Not until she gets what she wants. “So just tell me. Where can I find him?”