Still awake, I asked my little dog Rose to come back, and she did, running. She had been waiting for me to call. She was perfect in her joy and I held her and kissed her. I called for my father then, just to see, and he came to me too, and took me in his arms, me and my little dog. My father was nothing but love, a love so certain and pure there was no space to doubt it. I called for my grandmother, my dearest Lucy, my stepfather, and each one came and folded me in her arms, in his arms. There never had been a moment like this in my life, so much love, and all of it free from doubt or
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