“Well, I’ll be going.” Her smile fades and she looks lost.

“See you. Have fun at the pool.”

“Won’t be the same without you.” She heads out the door.

“Morgan?” I call after her.

“Rouff,” Diesel calls.

“Yeah?”

“Can you teach me some more on Monday?”

“Sure.” She grins, and for a few seconds I think, Wow, she is turning into a real friend. Then she continues. “I’ll bring my brother’s old water wings for Luanne.” She winks. “And his potty for you.”

And then I just want to shake her all over again.

11

Saturday, June 26:

Dad’s Weekend

On the drive to Uncle Leo’s house, where Dad has lived since the anniversary disaster, Diesel stands on my lap, mashing his body against me and squeezing me into the car door. I double-check that it’s locked.

We are moving very fast. I must be near the escape hole.

“It’s okay, boy. Here, let me open the window for you.” I roll it down. Just don’t jump out. I hold on to his body just in case. None of us will be safe till the time on my watch moves again.

The wind blows some of his drool back onto my arm. Dog relaxation. I smell lake and fish!

Diesel’s thoughts remind me about my drowning. I turn to Dad. “Whatever happened to those swimming lessons you promised me this summer?” If he can teach me, too, maybe I can learn faster.

“Sorry I’ve been so busy. Tomorrow afternoon. We’ll start then. For sure tomorrow.”

“Great. You know Mom’s working really hard to pack up everything for the move?”

“For sure. Your mother never lets up. Sometimes I’d just like to see her relax a bit and enjoy herself.”

“Honestly, I think she needs you for that.”

“I thought she’d love being able to watch movies on a big screen. Like having a date right inside the house.”

“Dad, she was just cranky from the heat.” The last time through this weekend, when I stayed home with Mom instead of vising Dad, all we did was watch movies. She loved it. I don’t think she really ever wanted me to go off with Dad. “Why don’t you borrow a movie from the library one night and surprise her?”

“I’ve tried and tried with her till I just don’t know what to do.”

I sigh. “Tuesday I’m going to a sleepover at Morgan’s. Tuesday night would be good.”

Dad doesn’t say anything for a moment. “They have Apocalypse at the library. We haven’t seen that one yet.”

“Noooo! Something romantic!”

“Hmm. An end of the world story, I thought that was kinda romantic.” Dad scratches his head.

“Ask the librarian for help. They must have a list of top tens.” Something’s happening with Diesel and it’s distracting me. Through my forearms I feel a vibration, a rumble even, rippling across his sides and stomach. Then there’s a sound like a sputter coming from his butt.

Dad waves his hand in front of his face. “Pew, what have you been feeding that dog?”