Chapter 4 - Three Taps Through the Wall
Next morning, Owen met them in the motel breakfast room with coffee Julia did not touch. No euthanasia record existed under Sadie's microchip. Relief lasted seconds; it exposed another question. The dog's monthly training report had arrived on time with Julia's phrase: three taps means I'm ready. Julia had written nothing in six weeks. Margaret handled the mail and sat beside Lily during telehealth sessions. Owen said the report claimed Sadie had begun growling near children, grounds to revoke her placement. Lily stopped stirring cereal. "She never growled. Grandma said I had to say she did, or you'd lose the house." Julia looked away. Margaret had always corrected Lily's wording, even during apologies. Julia called it old-fashioned. Owen asked why Frank warned them away from the garage. Lily answered. "Grandpa taps the wall in there. Three times, every night." The sound had passed for plumbing through Julia's bedroom. Only now it seemed like a message meant for someone who could hear.
