“When you brought that injured fox home in the country, I supported you. Then there was the kingfisher, the frog, and countless dogs and cats, and I’ve always been by your side, even when your mother started to worry about what sort of diseases those wild animals might carry. I understand you always want to help the unfortunate ones, but this is different.”
“Exactly! He’s a young man. We can’t leave him alone. He needs help. No one understands how much he’s suffering. No one actually sees him.”
Dobkins shook her head and prepared the bed. “To bed. It’s late.”
“I’ll go with or without you.”
“I’ll tell your father.”
“Please. I only need to see him for a moment and talk to him. If he’s happy as you say, I’ll leave.”
Dobkins shook her head. “Madness.”
“I’ll be quick, and I don’t care if Father punishes me. Will you come?”
Dobkins exhaled. “Only if you promise to stop talking about rescuing Lion Boy afterwards.”
