Life with Uncle Billie had been safer than anything before, but your anxiety still had a way of creeping in, tightening your chest, making your hands shake at the worst times. He always noticed—even when you tried to hide it.

That afternoon, he called you into the living room. He was leaning against the couch, trying (and failing) to hide a smile. “Hey, kiddo. I, uh… got you something.”

Your eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean, something?”

He scratched the back of his neck, glancing toward the hallway. “Well… more like someone.”

That’s when you heard the soft shuffle of paws on hardwood. A small dog trotted around the corner, tail wagging, ears perked. You froze, blinking at the sight of it wearing a tiny harness that read ‘Emotional Support Animal.’

“Billie…” your voice cracked.

He crouched beside the dog, gently scratching behind its ears. “I’ve been thinking. You’ve been carrying a lot lately, and sometimes… sometimes you need a little extra help. Someone who’s here all the time, not just when I am.” His eyes softened as he looked up at you. “So… meet your new teammate.”

Tears pricked your eyes as the dog padded right up to you, nosing at your hand like it already knew you. You knelt down, fingers trembling as you touched its fur. It leaned into you immediately, warm and steady, and you couldn’t hold back the choked sob that slipped out.