“Well, I’ll be at the pool,” Morgan says, hand on her hip. She gives me a wink.

I want to shake her for showing me up like that. And how can you trust someone who keeps winking at you?

After we say goodbye to the boys I give her the silent treatment. Luanne falls asleep as we turn onto the last block home.

Diesel growls. Friendly, be friendly.

“You don’t have to be mad at me, Naomi. It’s good I’m going. I’ll keep track of Simon for you. Did you see the way Tom was looking at me?”

“No, I didn’t see that. I saw him staring at the wet spots on my shirt.”

“Wouldn’t it be great? You get Simon and I get Tom. High school is looking better and better.”

“Did you have to tell them about me going to the bathroom in the yard?”

“Arrooowh!” Diesel howls. Tone of voice. We need more pack members.

“Better than them thinking you’d gone in your pants. Honestly, I try to do nice things for you —”

“Do you, actually? I’m never sure.”

“I just spent a couple of hours trying to teach you how to swim. Here I am letting your T. Rex lead me around.”

She is being nice about that, I have to admit. But I can’t help wondering, is there something she hopes to get out of all this?

Finally at the house, we let Diesel in ahead of us and then carry the stroller in with Luanne still asleep.

Morgan hangs around as though she expects something more.

“Thanks, Morgan. I do appreciate you helping with my swimming.”

“Your dad really coming then?” she asks. “I thought that was just a line. ’Cause we can do something else. We don’t have to go to the pool.”

“Nope, it’s my weekend with Dad.” I stop and look at her. Could it be that she really wants me as a friend? “Unless he cancels ’cause he has to work.”

She grins. “Yeah, they do that a lot, don’t they?”

“Not my dad. He never gets enough hours.” Still, Morgan and I are not so different anymore. We live in the same crappy neighbourhood and both have split-up parents. We’re like one dog away from being identical twins.

But my parents don’t have to stay apart. If something happens to me, they will need each other. Besides, I know I can help them get back together. They just need that romantic date. The one that didn’t work for Morgan’s parents. “Morgan, do you think I could come for a sleepover sometime soon? I’ve never been.”

“Never? Sure. When do you get back from your dad’s?”

“Sunday. But give me a day to get my stuff together.” I need the time to sort out Dad, really, get him and Mom to set up that date. “Can I come, say, Tuesday?”

“Sure. Mom will be okay with that. Not a school night, after all.”

She shrugs and then waits for a moment, like she wants to go with me. But I can’t invite her along when I finally have Dad to myself. There are things I need to discuss with him. I can give him a few pointers on winning Mom back. Talk him into that Tuesday-night date. Not like I can do that with her big mouth around.