"I was only checking," I assured Rosie when she blushed. "To be certain David hadn't done something I needed to belt him for."

I knew what Rosie meant, however, about becoming good friends with someone because of the things they had in common. For me it was never the time, really, because I was from so far into the past, but other things. I had been drawn to Eddie because we were both outcasts who had relied more heavily on our friends than our family.

I approached the dog to pet him as well, smiling as I stroked his ears. "I wish I could have a dog in the Home."