The Chair He Bought, The Dog They Tried to Take, and the Choice

who—”

“People,” I whispered, “who are already losing everything.”

Michael’s face tightened.

I didn’t mean it as an attack.

But it landed that way.

His jaw worked.

Then he said the line that, to this day, still echoes in my bones:

“Barnaby is not a person.”

The kitchen went silent.

Barnaby’s ears flicked.

Caleb’s hands clenched slowly into fists.

I stared at my continue reading …