Isaac grins at that like he hasn't smiled in a while. He's been too nervous about not making friends or not doing well enough for his parents, but this is pretty simple and it makes him feel honestly a dozen times better than he normally does. "I really like him too. I wish we could get a dog, but Dad doesn't think my brother and I will take care of him."

At six, Isaac doesn't exactly have a comparison to know whether that's true or not.