My newest pet

Amma called from Chennai, voice crackling through the distance. "You're finally doing it?" I laughed, holding the adoption papers, thinking of her stories about street dogs from her childhood. Three weeks ago, I joined PaybookClub at my local library. Reading Tamil literature sparked something dormant. Tonight, I brought home Kaavi, a rescued street dog with amber eyes. My diaspora life suddenly felt complete, threading past and present. Amma arrived last month and gasped upon meeting her. Now they sit together, Amma humming old songs while Kaavi rests her head on weathered hands. Heritage blooms unexpectedly.