Her eyes moved toward Miguel.
“And you.”
Miguel shook his head.
“We just followed the dog.”
Sofía looked down at Canela.
“No. She followed me.”
Silence settled over the room.
“She followed me when I ran,” Sofía continued. “She found me when I hid. And when I couldn’t think anymore, she somehow found people who could help.”
Lupita glanced at Miguel.
He understood.
Canela had not known about hospitals, social workers, rent, jobs, or consequences.
She had only known that something was wrong.
And she had refused to stop moving.
Sofía reached down and touched her head.
“I don’t deserve her.”
Canela opened one eye.
Then, with great effort, she lifted her head and rested it against Sofía’s leg.
Sofía began crying again.
This time, she smiled through it.
Weeks passed.
Sofía did not disappear.
She entered a support program and began working with the hospital social worker. Her mother eventually visited, and their relationship remained difficult, but they began talking instead of shouting.
The baby came home under a safety plan.
The puppies were placed temporarily with a rescue organization until they were old enough to be adopted.
Canela stayed with Sofía.
