She gave a sigh and rubbed her temples. The stress was back in her face and the doctor had just left. “Yeah, I know. I’ll look into that. But I think there was something else contributing to this whole attack.”

My own heart started pounding crazily at my daughter’s expression. “What is it?”

Slowly, she told me all about Allegra. The drugs. The police. Her idea of taking off with these hooligans for the summer. Not my sweet Allegra. This wasn’t like her at all—I’d known she felt lost, but I’d never imagined her making such bad decisions. Were things worse than I’d thought? I pressed my fingers to my mouth and tried to regain my composure.

“Will she have a record? Does she have to appear in court? What’s going to happen to her?”

“Right now, she has to appear before the judge. I’ll hire a lawyer, but she didn’t have any weed on her and wasn’t high at the time, so that may help. Of course, the driver was, which makes it a hell of a lot worse.”

“She could have been killed.” The words lay flat and lifeless between us.

Frustration sparked from her. “I expected some teen-rebellion stuff, but nothing like this. I don’t know, I was probably naïve to think she wouldn’t try pot, but getting in the car with a driver who’s high? What else has she been doing that I don’t know about? I left a message at her school and I contacted Bonnie’s and Claire’s mothers to see if they know anything. She’s just so angry.”

“Frannie, listen to me. I know you said it was impossible, but I think an Italy trip is exactly what this family needs. You can get Allegra away from those kids for the summer. You can get a well-needed rest. And I’ll get to spend time with you—quality time, in a beautiful place that’s your heritage.”

“I don’t know. I have to call the office ASAP, Mom.”

My mouth fell open. “You’re worried about the office after this? Do you see how out of control things are getting? For God’s sakes, go home and rest. Talk to Allegra.”

“I will. I have to get going.”

I was losing her again. Already, her mind had shifted as she analyzed how she could force her body to behave, ignoring all the warning signs around her. Jack hadn’t listened either. “Frannie, please,” I begged. “Think about Italy. Do you want me to talk to Allegra?”

She shook her head, bopping around the room to gather her things. “No, I’ll talk to her, Mom.”

I opened my mouth, determined to make her listen, frightened that if I didn’t get her to take a break from rushing through life toward the next goalpost, I could lose her. But it was already too late.