The heat blasts us the moment we step outside, and the sky holds the murky grey of a high pollution count, but still I walk straighter and feel taller as we head toward the wealthier side of town. Diesel trots alongside beautifully and Luanne doesn’t squawk. When we arrive at the house, I don’t feel like I’m sneaking in anymore. I stride to the gate and push through the moment Morgan unlocks it.

On the other side, I can’t wait to strip down to my new suit. Off come the shorts and top in about three beats. Diesel sits at attention, tall and still, the whole while. At the pool, Morgan takes out some inflatable water wings from her bag. “Not for you, don’t worry.” She slides them onto Luanne’s arms and puts her mouth to the valve to blow. “You can keep them. My little brother can swim on his own now.”

So I should be able to learn today, too.

Diesel barks his approval.

Once the wings are fully inflated, Morgan steps down into the water, holding Luanne’s hand. I follow. When the water reaches my chest, Diesel jumps in to swim with us, dog-paddling in a large circle around me. Keep safe.

“Pew!” Morgan waves her hand in front of her nose. “The water’s bringing out the skunk again.”

“Who cares? We’re outside anyway.” He’ll save me if something should go wrong.

Luanne shrieks with happiness as she practises big arms with Morgan.

Diesel barks. Hurray! The small one swims.

“Look how great Luanne is doing,” Morgan says. “Kick, kick, kick,” she tells Luanne as she moves the baby’s legs with her hands.

No tone. No other meaning. Morgan really seems impressed. And she’s using Luanne’s actual name now.

Luanne moves her feet and arms way better than I can. “Maybe I should get water wings.” Pushing out the water with my hands while kicking my legs at the same time doesn’t seem to be working any better today.

“Why don’t you try swimming underwater?” Morgan suggests as she scoops Luanne into her arms.

“Really? I thought the whole point was to stay on top.”

Morgan grabs my hand. “Come over here. It’s easier.” She drags me to the deep end. When I hesitate, she puts her hand on top of my head — “One, two, three, dunk!” — and pushes me down.

At first I struggle. Try to kick her. I want to kill her, really. I’m drowning right this minute. Doesn’t matter what my watch says.

But then I decide. Now or never. I put my hands together into an arrow and push out; my legs frog-kick behind. It works! The movement sends me forward. Through the wavering water, the world of legs and paws appears blobby and slow. I keep moving. If I can stay below like this, everything will stay perfect. I can swim.

Swimming, swimming. Diesel stays right beside me. I feel safe.

But of course I have to come up for air. When I finally surface to take a breath, Morgan and Luanne cheer and clap.