“It’s more about psychological wellness than anything else, Amy,” she said. “Getting hit by a car is no joke, and can make people feel scared or worried for a while afterward. I think a day on the couch might be just the ticket.”

Mom nodded and sighed, rubbing one eye with her palm. Amy felt terrible, seeing how tired and worried she was. Between Amy and Dad, she’d gone through several hard shocks and probably wasn’t sleeping well herself. Amy wondered if she was the one who could use a day on the couch.

They walked back through the too-bright cream-colored waiting room and out to the car. The last of the nice weather hung around in the evening, and Amy breathed the summer air in the hopes of getting the hospital smells out of her nose. For someone who loved science, she hated going to see the doctor.

Mom got in the front seat and Amy got in shotgun. Amy sat … and waited. When she looked over, Mom was staring straight ahead and had her hands folded in her lap.

“We spoke to the driver of the truck who hit you,” she said. “He said you ran out in the middle of the road to grab Stormy. That he couldn’t have possibly stopped in time. Your father’s putting up lost dog flyers for her now.”

Amy’s heart sank. Even if Stormy hadn’t run off, she’d really done it this time.

“I’m so sorry, Mom,” she said. “I promise, I’m okay. I didn’t get hit very hard. I just didn’t want Stormy—”

Mom held up a hand. Amy went quiet.

“He also said,” she continued, a little softer, “that when he got out, there was another dog there. A German shepherd that was just sitting there, next to you. Looking at you. He said it scared him.”

Amy’s felt her eyes widen. She bit down on the inside of her cheek.

“What are you saying?” Amy finally asked.

Mom heaved a big sigh. “I’m not sure, exactly. What I’ve seen is that you and that dog have an unhealthy relationship. At first I thought the dog just … triggered you somehow. But then I began to notice things. First your father’s fall, now this.”

“So what do you want to do?” asked Amy, hoping that this was finally it.

“We’re going to take that dog to the shelter tomorrow,” said Mom. She started the car. “And we’re not going to speak a word of this to your sister until after we’ve done it.”