His dad nearly choked on his bite. “A dog?” Jamie nodded. “A small one. I can take care of it. It doesn’t have to be expensive.” His dad looked at him — really looked. It was the most Jamie had said all week. Maybe all month. His eyes weren’t glowing, not yet, but they weren’t empty either. There was something flickering behind them. A spark.
“I don’t know, Jamie,” he said honestly. “Dogs are a lot. Food, medicine, vet bills… we’re barely managing as it is.” Jamie didn’t argue. He just said, “Okay,” and went to bed early. His father sat at the table long after he’d gone, staring at his plate, the weight of the world suddenly feeling a little heavier than usual.