I think of jumping off the dock and suddenly feel so anxious again I want to throw up.

“Pool’s open,” Tom says, gathering up his gear.

Simon picks up his backpack. “You coming swimming, Peanut?”

I take a deep breath. “It’s Naomi,” I tell him.

“Naomi?” He smiles at me and his eyes crinkle, making me sorry my words came out so crabby. “Are you coming to the pool, too?”

“Rawf, rawf, rawf!”

“Can’t. Not with the dog.” I clip the leash back onto Diesel’s collar.

“Too bad,” Tom says. “Bet Diesel would be an excellent swimmer.”

I can water jog with the best of them.

“Oh yeah!” I answer. “See ya.” I turn to walk away, Diesel nicely at my heels, leaving Morgan to push Luanne in her stroller.

“Bye, Simon,” Morgan says brightly.

“Will you stop?” I say under my breath.

“What, what am I doing?”

“Just keep walking!” I snap.

“Rowf!” Alert! Fighting in the pack.

She’s not part of our pack, I think.

She should be. I know this. Trust me.

When we’re far enough away, I tell her, “You don’t listen to me. I didn’t want Diesel to play Frisbee. That Smart Car killed Diesel!”

Morgan squints again. “You havin’ heatstroke? It zipped around in the parking lot and left.”

“No. Remember I told you about my dream? That is the car that ran him over.”

Morgan’s mouth drops open for a moment. “Okay. You had a nightmare. But Diesel loves playing Frisbee.”

I stare at her. “Does what I say ever count?”

“But he needs the exercise and he’s good at it.”

“Just ignore me. I’m a peanut.”

“This is me paying attention now. What do you want me to do?”

“I need to know where that driver lives. I have to stop the accident from happening again.”

“Okay. How you gonna do that? Slash the tires? The owner will just replace them.”

“I don’t know. Talk to him. Maybe just get him to slow down.”

“It was a dream, Naomi. Who’s gonna listen to you?”

“Fine. I don’t need your help.”

Yes, we do! Diesel barks. Bigger packs are stronger! We can bring down a moose!

“Good,” Morgan says. “Besides, we’re training Diesel and we keep a leash on him. He’s not going to get in the way of any car, smart or stupid.”

As we walk, I keep scanning driveways anyway. Does that Smart Car driver even live in the neighbourhood? After a few more blocks I think out loud about the other half of my problem. “Okay, so we’re training Diesel. Maybe you can help me with something else.”

“Okay.”

“Something different.” I stop walking and tell Diesel to sit.

He wags his tail but remains standing. I must at all times be ready!

Then I turn to Morgan, grip her pale grey eyes with mine. “Can I really trust you?”

“I’ve got your back,” we both say.

“I know you like to say that,” I continue, “but you have to keep this a secret.” I hesitate for a moment. This is huge, and once I say it out loud, there’s no taking it back. “Can you teach me how to swim?”