After my in-laws turned my 11-year-old daughter's puppy into her dinner, my mother-in-law forced her to the table. "That dog is gone! Stop crying and eat your dinner!" she sneered.

Frank asked Julia to follow him to a feed store. Margaret grabbed for his keys. Owen stayed with Lily while Julia drove behind Frank through rain. The manager unlocked a staff room. Sadie rose from a blanket, and crossed the floor with her harness on. Lily was not there, making Julia's relief feel private and shameful. Frank had hidden Sadie with his sister-in-law, Ruth, the manager, who owed Margaret nothing. The cruel dinner, his stern posture, and the garage warning were meant to drive Julia away before Margaret gained legal control of Lily's care. He believed Julia would act only when frightened past politeness. "I saved the dog," he said. "I hurt the child." Julia struck the table. Frank did not defend himself at first. The nightly taps calmed Sadie before the move. He protected Sadie by exploiting Lily. Julia took Sadie's leash. "You don't get credit for choosing the smaller cruelty." Frank nodded, but when she asked what Margaret wanted, he said, "Not Lily. What comes with her."