“You’re not my stepchild anymore. You’re my son.”
Kimchi purred.
“Mom is warm.”
I smiled. Then his next thought made my smile disappear.
“I miss Dad.”
I froze.
“You miss him?”
Kimchi looked toward the front door.
“Dad told me not to tell Mom.”
My stomach tightened.
“Tell Mom what?”
Kimchi went silent. I waited, but nothing happened.
“Kimchi?”
“Mom shouldn’t know yet.”
That sentence stayed in my head all morning. Later, I took him downstairs for some fresh air. I had always socialized him carefully, so he wasn't afraid of people or unfamiliar places. As we stepped into the elevator, a tall man wearing a baseball cap walked in with an enormous Samoyed. Kimchi immediately buried his face against my chest.
“Mom, big fluffy monster.”
I almost laughed.
“It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
The man noticed Kimchi trembling and stepped between us and his dog. 
I thanked him quietly. Then Kimchi suddenly lifted his head. His eyes locked on the stranger.
“That man knows Dad.”
My blood ran cold.
“What?”
The stranger glanced at me. Kimchi continued.
“He was at Dad’s apartment last night.”
I stared at the man. He looked completely ordinary. Then Kimchi’s thoughts became frantic.
“Mom, don’t let him see your phone.”
I instinctively tightened my grip around it. The elevator doors opened. The man stepped out. Kimchi watched him leave.
“That’s him.”