My stepmother gave away my childhood dog to buy her kids a new puppy. She told my father I asked for it, but my little sister was about to expose her dark secret.

On the first warm Saturday of spring, Dad announced that everyone had a job.

Caleb would pack the picnic. Ava would bring water for the dogs. I would choose the trail at the park. Dad would drive and try, in Caleb’s words, not to get lost.

Leah came, too.

Bruno stood by the front door as soon as he saw his red leash. Milo spun in circles around Caleb’s feet. For once, we got out of the house with everything we needed.

The trail I chose was short and flat enough for Bruno. We let him stop whenever he wanted. Milo wanted to run ahead, but Caleb kept him close. Ava carried a bowl that folded flat in her bag and offered both dogs water at every bench.

Halfway around, we sat beneath a tree to eat.

Bruno lay beside my legs. Milo settled beside him after a few attempts to steal Caleb’s sandwich. I looked at the two of them and remembered the first day I saw Milo, when I thought his arrival meant Bruno had no place in our home.

Now Ava rubbed Milo’s ears while Bruno slept against my shoe. Caleb passed me another sandwich. Dad and Leah argued about who had packed the napkins.

There was room for all of us.

My phone buzzed. It was a message from Tessa asking whether I had finished the drawing I planned to submit to the summer art program. I had, but I was nervous about sending it.

I showed Dad the message.

“You said you liked the drawing,” I told him. “Were you just being my dad?”

“I was being your dad when I asked to see it. I liked it when I did.”

Leah leaned over. “I liked it, too.”

“You haven’t seen the finished one.”

“Then show me when we get home.”

Caleb grinned. “It’s going to win.”

“You haven’t seen it either,” I said.

“I know how you draw.”

I looked down at Bruno. He had opened one eye at the sound of my voice.

The drawing was of his bed beside my bedroom door. Milo slept nearby, one paw stretched toward him. I had drawn the doorway open.

After the picnic, we finished the trail. Bruno walked the whole way. Back at the car, Dad helped him onto the seat, and he rested his head on my lap before we pulled out of the parking lot.

That evening, I submitted my drawing.

I called Tessa afterward. She shouted so loudly that Ava heard her from the hall and came running to ask what had happened.

“She sent it!” Tessa announced through the phone.

Ava cheered. Caleb appeared behind her and asked whether there were prizes. Dad stood in the doorway smiling.

I felt embarrassed and happy at once.

Two weeks later, the art program accepted me.

I read the email twice before I showed anyone. Then I ran downstairs, nearly tripping over Milo at the last step.

“I got in.”

Dad took my phone and read the message. He handed it back and hugged me.

“I’m proud of you.”

Leah came over for dinner to celebrate. Caleb offered to make a cake, which worried all of us, so Dad helped him. Ava decorated it with crooked letters and a picture of two dogs.

At the table, Dad asked me what supplies I needed for the program. I started making a list while Caleb served cake. Ava wanted to know if she could visit the final show.

“You all can,” I said.

Bruno waited under my chair, hoping for a crumb. I reached down and touched the soft fur between his ears. He leaned against my hand.

After dinner, Dad helped Caleb clean up. Leah read with Ava on the sofa. I took Bruno and Milo into the yard for their last walk of the day.

The sky was turning pink. Bruno moved slowly, but he went to the far fence where he liked to sniff the grass. Milo trotted beside him, then came back to me.

When we went inside, Bruno headed for my room. I followed him upstairs. His bed was beside my door, his blanket tucked around the edges. He circled once and lay down.

Dad stopped in the hall.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

I looked at Bruno, then past Dad to the light downstairs where Caleb was laughing at something Ava had said.

“Yeah,” I told him. “Everything’s okay.”

Dad smiled and went to help them put away the books.

I sat beside Bruno for another minute. He pressed his nose into my palm, warm and familiar.