I pick up the box and catch up with her. “Okay, maybe he’s not perfect. But he is much better.”

We go in through my aunt’s front door and yell hello. “Just putting some boxes in the basement,” Mom calls.

When we come back up, I sit down with Luanne while Aunt Cathie and my mom leave for work together. They enjoy each other’s company, more like best friends than sisters. Mom couldn’t have any more kids after I was born, so no sisters or brothers for me. Luanne fills that gap for both me and Mom. And when she goes in for her heart surgery later this year, we will both be there day and night for her.

The move will be a good thing for all of us, even if Mom has to leave her favourite kitchen. She will come to see that. How Dad will fit in to this will be the big question. Will he fit in again?

Luanne offers me a Cheerio from her high chair. Diesel wags hopefully from a perfect sit at my feet.

I take it. “Mmm.”

Throw one to me. “Rawf!”

Suddenly, Luanne bobs up and down wildly at something behind me. “Gun, gun, gun!”

Wiener Girl has arrived. Diesel wags at high speed.

I turn and see Morgan’s face at the side door. Luanne calls her Gun now?

“Sit!” I hold out a finger to warn Diesel as I walk over and unlock the door. “You’re early.”

Diesel’s haunches touch the floor for barely an instant, and then he throws himself at Morgan.

“Nothing better to do,” she says as she pushes him away. “Down,” she tells Diesel and his haunches drop. “Guess you didn’t bring any of those muffins over.”

“No, but Mom said she’d bring home something for our sleepover.”

“Who’s a good, good doggie?” Morgan baby-talks at Diesel as she scrubs around his head with her fingers. She lowers her own face so he can lick it. Luanne waves a Cheerio at Morgan and she takes it.

“About the sleepover, Mom insists on calling your house.”

“Fine. My mother knows.” Morgan takes another Cheerio from Luanne’s outstretched hand.

“What is she going to say about the pool party?”

“Nothing. We’re going for a swim. We’re not staying out late or anything.” Morgan spoons some Cheerios into Luanne’s mouth. Diesel scarfs up the ones that drop along the way.

Crunchy sweet. Yum.

“Mom wouldn’t like it that we’re partying with no adults.”

“We’re swimming with friends, that’s all. Which is true, right? You worry too much.”

“No. I just anticipate. That way there are no problems later.”

“How’s that workin’ for you?” She feeds Luanne some more cereal.

I think about how much I worry about money and the future. What if I had really drowned at the dock? Would any of it have mattered? “Not great, actually.”

“Okay, then. So let’s do it my way. Does your aunt have anything else to eat? I don’t really like cereal.”