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asked from the doorway.
    “Domino found my lucky socks!” Michael exclaimed. “Just in time for my report. They were under my dresser the whole time. I must have thrown them on the floor after my last game.” Michael ruffled the fur on Domino’s head, and the kitten’s rhythmic purr grew louder. Michael kissed him between the ears and then pushed the kitten against Mia’s chest. As soon as she had Domino safe in her arms, Michael bent over, grabbed the lucky socks, and sat down on the edge of his bed to put them on. He propped an ankle up on his knee.
    “Oh, no you don’t,” Mom said. “I’m not letting you wear those filthy socks. You can take them with you if you really want to, but you cannot put them on.”
    Mom’s eyes were serious, but she was smiling. She held out her hand, and reluctantly, Michael gave up the socks.
    She wrinkled her nose. “P.U.! I’ll put them in a plastic bag for you,” she said. “I don’t want yourwhole backpack smelling like sweaty basketball socks.”
    Michael wasn’t going to argue. He didn’t have to wear them. He just needed to know they weren’t lost. And he wanted them nearby when he did his report.
    “Dad’s on the phone, but then he’ll be ready to go,” Mom said as she left the room. “It’s still cold out, Michael,” she called down the hall. “You need long sleeves.”
    Mia raised her eyebrows — “See?” — and walked out with both hands on her hips. Michael pulled on his favorite hoodie, grabbed his backpack and the bag with his rocket, and followed his sister.
    Dad appeared in the hallway as they were putting on their snow boots.
    “Guess who that was on the phone?” He put a hand on each of their shoulders.
    Michael looked at Mia. Mia looked at Michael. They both knew before Dad even said it.
    Somebody had called about Domino.

CHAPTER TEN
    Michael pressed his lips together. From the look on Dad’s face, he knew he was right. “Was it someone from Domino’s family? Someone who saw the poster?”
    Dad nodded. “Mrs. Freeman, that’s her name. She said she and her husband and their kids have been out of town. They got home late last night, and right away they realized that Domino was gone. The dad went out looking for him and saw one of our posters.”
    Michael looked at Mia. Her eyes glistened. She looked down and pulled the laces on her boot extra tight. “How do we know it’s true?” she said quietly.
    “What do you mean?” Dad asked.
    “How do we know they’re really Domino’s family? Maybe they just saw the sign and thought he was a cute kitten, and now they want him.”
    Dad raised his eyebrows. “Well …” Michael could tell Dad didn’t know how to answer Mia.
    “It’s great news, Dad,” Michael said. He reached out to touch Mia’s arm. “He probably does belong to them,” he told her gently. Mia pulled away from him and marched toward the door.
    Dad shrugged and smiled at Michael as if they both understood that Mia needed a little time to get used to the idea that someone was claiming Domino.
    The thing was, Michael needed a little time, too.
    “Hey, why all the chatter?” Mom said as she appeared behind Dad. “You need to be heading out the door.”
    “Dad just talked to a lady who says she’s Domino’s family,” Michael said. “That’s who was on the phone.”
    “Oh,” Mom said. “Ohhhh.” She slowly took in the news as she handed Michael the plastic bag with his socks. “I’ll hear the rest from Dad later. Good luck today,” she said, giving him a hug.
    “Thanks.” Michael shoved the bag into his backpack.
    Mom put her hands on Mia’s cheeks and kissed her on the head. “It’ll be okay,” she said. Mia nodded, but Michael could tell she didn’t believe it would.
    As they walked down the sidewalk, Dad turned to Michael. “You really did a great job with those posters,” he said. “You should feel proud of yourself.”
    Michael smiled. He felt something. He felt lots of things. But he